Results 12,241-12,260 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2012)
David Norris: On a point of order, I understood a guillotine was used on an individual basis rather than on a general basis-----
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2012)
David Norris: Given the lateness of the hour, I shall resist the temptation to give a disposition on the Immaculate Conception which Senator Mooney so tantalisingly drew for us. If logically followed, which no piece of dogmatic theology ever is, it leads to the complete destruction of the notion of original sin. However, putting that to one side, may I say that I am in favour of a general reflection of...
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2012)
David Norris: -----because it is so ineffective and it needs such reform. I do not think it is just women. Many people are really disillusioned. We have really good debates in this House but I do not think generalisations help even if they are well intentioned. Poor old Albert Reynolds, who at the end of the day was a decent man, got into frightful trouble for an off the cuff remark - "Sure that is...
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2012)
David Norris: Not in this case. The Government has broken a fair number of them already.
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2012)
David Norris: I can well understand a threat when I hear one.
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2012)
David Norris: Let us leave it to the people.
- Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2012)
David Norris: First, I congratulate the Taoiseach on his knowledge of geography. He has apparently discovered that Greece is not Ireland and that Ireland is not Greece and he is quite right. Ireland did not build the Acropolis, the Parthenon, start the Olympic Games, invent geometry, give us the art of philosophy and I dare to mention Plato and Socrates, despite the fact that some insects from Mr....
- Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2012)
David Norris: That is the spirit of Europe. That is what we should be celebrating in solidarity with the peoples of the Europe and not the institutions that are humbling and degrading us.
- Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2012)
David Norris: Well said.
- Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2012)
David Norris: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2012)
David Norris: He is here now.
- Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2012)
David Norris: I revert to a matter ventilated in the House yesterday, the review of embassies and, in particular, representation at the Vatican. I strongly support the work of the diplomatic corps. Ireland is extremely well served by it, although it is small when compared with that of other states such as the Netherlands. It does very good work and we get good value from it. As for the Vatican, I...
- Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2012)
David Norris: I seek a debate on the subject. I refer to the question of bin collection by Greyhound. This is a very serious matter.
- Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2012)
David Norris: I thank Senator Denis Landy. I will be brief. I am concerned about this matter because I myself have received completely contradictory notices from the Greyhound company as to the day on which I should leave out the bins. Everyone is in a mess and there does not appear to have been a proper tendering process. The company has a bad record and was obliged to repay money to CIE. In...
- Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2012)
David Norris: The elected representatives were not listened to. Moreover-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2012)
David Norris: I seek a debate on this serious issue, particularly in the light of the waste of money. I understand Ernst & Young had its services secured, at a cost of a â¬250,000 to provide a list. I could do it in half an hour. Someone should, please, appoint me as a consultant, as I could do with â¬250,000. Moreover, I would do the job efficiently and for less. Next time, let the council seek...
- Seanad: Food Wastage: Motion (15 Feb 2012)
David Norris: I welcome the Minister. It is appropriate and helpful that he is present because he is a highly-competent individual who is well on top of his brief. The Minister has authority to do certain things and I am going to suggest one further action he might take. There does not appear to be any conflict between what Senators Quinn and Mary Ann O'Brien have proposed and what is contained in the...
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)
David Norris: I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in this debate and I agree very much with what Senator Hayden has said. It is important that we encourage all of society to be represented at political levels. We do not want to go in the direction of the United States of America, where one has to be a millionaire to get into any kind of politics, and certainly to run for the presidency,...
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)
David Norris: -----and have been treated as a marginalised minority. We have had to introduce special legislation to encourage them to get into politics. I am not standing over imposing any further financial hardship on people who have the guts to get up, get involved and get engaged in politics. We need to encourage it. It should not be penalised from a position of hypocrisy by a party that takes...
- Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)
David Norris: Although good relations have been established on a personal basis between us, I will not take hogwash and I do not want the Minister to take from this debate that every Independent Member kowtows to the kind of things that may be in the pipeline. I know the country is in a difficult financial situation. However, if we want the political system to work we must encourage independent voices...