Results 12,361-12,380 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: Senators may be surprised to find I am interested in farming but my grandfather was a farmer and my maternal ancestors had land in County Laois for many centuries. I compliment the Minister on the work he has been doing and I am glad the Government has negotiated some improvement in fisheries. Like other Senators, I received a document from the IFA which showed that farm incomes have...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: It is a debate, so I would say we should allow him to ask questions.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: It was a very useful and informative rant and I compliment the Minister on it.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I support what Senator Fiach Mac Conghail said. I was here and took part in that debate. It was one of the best I have ever been involved in. There were two amendments, one in the name of the Government and one in the name of Sinn Féin. It is significant that they were both withdrawn. The Minister of State accepted what was said graciously and spoke passionately on the issue. As a...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to the House. He is an unusually good choice for this portfolio and I know he will do well in it. There have been some difficulties concerning free third-level fees and I know that a former Labour Minister introduced them. However, I always thought that was an ugly, oxymoronic phrase; either education is free or one pays fees. It is as simple...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: -----they will be vigorous in pursuing the area of disadvantage. I will end on this point. Even though I do not come from the wonderful County Donegal, the Larkin school and Marlborough Street, where the wonderful Breaking the Cycle project was introduced, are in my area. We must have this basis. The first doctor, lawyer, teacher and Deputy from these areas, rather than those involved in...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I have been there on a number of occasions and I hope to revisit.

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I commend Senators Mary Ann O'Brien and O'Donnell on their passionate advocacy of one of the most important issues facing this country. It is notable that they were among the imaginative nominations by the Taoiseach but they have the courage to speak out independently. Nothing could offer greater justification for the continuation of this Seanad in whatever form it may take. I was moved by...

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I thank Senator Barrett for sharing time. I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the Bill which has three main proposals, including the creation of a new utility. I hope there is no intention to sell it off down the road, similar to what happened in Britain. However, it is unlikely. I have no difficulty with a water charge. It is a question of the consumer paying, not the...

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: That is ridiculous. I hope that it will be avoided in this case and I will support the Minister in fighting that should it come around. It is astonishing that more than 50% of the money due from businesses is not collected. Some of the heaviest users of waters are in the distilling industry. They use massive volumes of water in the distillation of whiskey and if they are among those who do...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I commend the Members of the House who took part in the debate on RTE this morning, to which I listened with great interest. One thing that was missing, and we should direct our attention to filling this gap, is the list of the achievements the Seanad, with the greatest difficulty and given all the constraints it has suffered under, has managed to accomplish over many years. I think of...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: All the same, this is for the record. I am talking about what the Seanad can do.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: Yes. I am asking that we should have a discussion on the economy in which-----

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: This is a serious matter because I am asking that the Seanad should once again add to its record by, for example, seeking the implementation of the Keating principles, which would mean that the Irish people benefit from every discovery of mineral resources in this country. If oil and gas is found at Dalkey in substantial amounts, let us bring it ashore in an environmentally satisfactory way....

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I join in the general good wishes of my colleagues. There used to be a radio programme on the BBC where people were fined for repetition so I will not repeat all the good wishes to the members of staff but from my heart I join in them, and I hope they know that. I have been a Member of this House for a quarter of a century and I have enjoyed every moment of it. I believe I can say with some...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2011: All Stages (15 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I think it is regrettable that we do not have an opportunity to debate this. In previous years we did have that opportunity.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I am interested in the language employed — one-parent family — and I wonder if the Minister could comment on that because the people in the many organisations that represent this kind of family unit describe themselves as lone parents. I do not think it is biologically possible to have a one-parent family. There have to be two parents. Is there some reason for using the phrase...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

David Norris: Will the Minister comment on the gross as opposed to net issue I raised? I understand if she cannot do so.