Results 12,421-12,440 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 - Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2011)

David Norris: It is a kind of grace and favour.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 - Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I propose that we withdraw the amendment so that we may resubmit it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 - Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2011)

David Norris: It was the route chosen by certain parliamentarians to visit Leinster House from different sections of the country.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill 2010: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I may speak later. I was attending a briefing so I do not think I am completely up to speed on the matter. I would prefer to listen to my colleagues and read the Minister's speech.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill 2010: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister to the House. I regret I was not present to hear the speeches of all my colleagues. I was attending another briefing which was significant politically. I would have especially liked to have heard what Senator Bacik had to say given that the previous speaker, who is also on the Government side, disagreed with her.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill 2010: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

David Norris: Yes, it was a small point but I imagine I would have found myself in more agreement with her. I have had the opportunity to read the Minister's speech and I note there is a great deal of sense in it. There is clearly also a public mood that people are entitled to be allowed to defend themselves in their own home. The Minister's speech is balanced as he indicates that people can use force...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill 2010: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

David Norris: -----can be outraged by this kind of intrusion, in particular, the perusal of personal material. He was going through my wallet and was fingering a picture of my aunt to whom I was devoted. This incensed me completely. The Minister stated the first recourse should be to the Garda Síochána. That is the ideal situation, but there is the reduction in Garda numbers and the closure of police...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I pay tribute to the action of the Leader of the House yesterday evening in removing the guillotine from a Bill on Committee Stage and agreeing to continue the discussion this evening. That was a good day for Seanad Éireann. I thank the Leader, on behalf of the Independents, and I am sure other Members will agree. I compliment Senator Whelan on his sterling work on behalf of the community...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (7 Dec 2011)

David Norris: This guillotine is appalling. I regret the fact that my friends on the other side of the House have now employed the guillotine on a greater proportion of our debates than Fianna Fáil ever did. I never thought I would see this happen. I appeal that at least the time should be extended to allow discussion of the non-Government amendments. We can accept the Government amendments as passed.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (7 Dec 2011)

David Norris: Well done. Congratulations to the Leader. That was an honourable gesture.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I find myself having a great deal of sympathy for what Sinn Féin members have said and with the motivation behind their amendment. The principle of good government would be to poverty-proof legislation. I also said at the time - it was recommended by the Irish Human Rights Commission - that one function of those who undertake research would be to be employed by the Oireachtas to ensure...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I am addressing a matter that was raised. I am sure the Acting Chairman will give good guidance on this because I have noted her wisdom and it is as if she was born to the role. I am making the point for which she is reproving me. Discussion of the difference in application between the North and South is a partisan argument which does not address the principle of the amendment. I would...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I hope we can progress and discuss as much of the Bill as possible before the guillotine, which we will see again this evening, is operated. Perhaps we might even succeed if we co-operate. The Minister of State is usually a co-operative and decent person. We might deal with the entire Bill.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I do not believe I have repeated myself too much.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Norris: If the Senator found himself down to the three or four most basic items he might be persuaded to agree.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Norris: That is a very good argument for excluding affordable housing.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Norris: I am very pleased that my Sinn Féin colleagues have taken this sophisticated approach to the issue. They will be more successful in so doing and I will certainly support them strongly. I would be honoured to have my name added to their revised amendment. The Minister of State has been clear and honest with us in his responses. A hint of what is at issue here was given by an earlier...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Norris: First, I support this amendment in principle. It is a very good one. Second, I always listen with great interest to what Senator Bradford says because he says it in such a calm, measured and reasonable way but that does not always mean the ideas he enunciates are as calm and reasonable as the tone. The first point I would make is that I do not believe this country is bankrupt. It would be...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Norris: That would be a different matter but the Senator was talking about the criteria. When I said it is not just in the past ten years, I was greatly struck by the fact that we are now in the anniversary of the treaty, which is a significant historical event but if one examines the bills that came in from Harrods and Fortnum & Mason one can see that the delegates did not go to the cheapest shops....