Results 12,061-12,080 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: Absolutely, but the proof is, as Senator Sean Barrett said, that we are in the first league in terms of citations.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: It has to do with the criteria.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: The people compiling the ratings.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: I applaud the sentiment behind these amendments but personally I believe there is a certain level of political naivety behind them. The Mahon report was quoted.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: I thank Senators for the correction. The Moriarty report was referred to and there was an argument that there should be equality. There is no equality and everybody knows this. That is deliberate, structured and built in by the parties since the beginning of the State in order to exclude independent voices. Part of that arises from financial considerations, and the Minister knows that...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: I do not. The public gets the information via the media and I will tell a story about how that operates. I was contacted by a person in one of the tabloids approximately two years ago and although I do not usually speak with such people, it was suggested to me that this was a good idea. The person claimed to be a student of mine and a big fan but just wanted to ask a few simple questions.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: This is directly relevant. The person in question asked about the expenses. He asked if I lived on North Great George's Street and even I had the intelligence to answer that straight off. He asked if I worked in Leinster House and I said the questions were getting easier all the time and if I got a third one right, would I get to keep the sweets? The third question was how I could justify...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: If salaries were increased to compensate for that, it would be presented as politicians taking an increase.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: There is also the question of the allowance of expenses for tax purposes. It is an extremely important point, to which the Minister has not responded.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: Could the Minister also give me a note regarding the question I raised?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

David Norris: I very much thank the Minister for that.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2012)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2012)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2012)

David Norris: I welcome the fact that the House is due to debate the fiscal compact treaty later. This is an appropriate day on which to consider this matter, particularly in light of the comments made by that Finnish Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Olli Rehn, who, perhaps unwisely as I have discovered, uttered the Latin phrase "pacta sunt servanda" which, as everyone is aware, roughly translates as "Croppies...

Seanad: Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (14 Mar 2012)

David Norris: Without wishing to be rude or interrupt the Senator, we have some distinguished guests in the Visitors Gallery - Congresswoman Pelosi, the grand-daughter of a great friend of Ireland, Tip O'Neill, and other Members of Congress. Nancy Pelosi spoke brilliantly last night in Trinity College. I am sure the Senator will not mind, but their presence in the Seanad is greatly appreciated.

Seanad: Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (14 Mar 2012)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (14 Mar 2012)

David Norris: That is the Cheltenham effect. It involves hedging one's bets.

Seanad: Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (14 Mar 2012)

David Norris: Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan adhmad?

Seanad: Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (14 Mar 2012)

David Norris: It is a good line.