Results 12,521-12,540 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Hospital Services (21 Jul 2011)

David Norris: I also welcome the Minister of State, as I know she is both passionate and caring. As she knows, I do not make a habit of raising hospital issues, but I have a track record in this regard. I direct her attention back to 8 December 2008 when I raised the question of a geriatric home in Carlow which was being closed unnecessarily by the HSE, with a report recording only minor decorative...

Seanad: Hospital Services (21 Jul 2011)

David Norris: This serious matter is too close to the heart. The difficulty is that if, as proposed, this hospital is closed, there will be serious consequences for the current patients. The 20 clients of the day care centre will lose this service and a tradition going back 151 years will be gone. The hospital is the largest employer on the island, employing 35 people, in the equivalent of 20 full-time...

Seanad: Hospital Services (21 Jul 2011)

David Norris: My campaign is well launched but I thank the Chair for those encouraging words, which I take very much to heart.

Seanad: Hospital Services (21 Jul 2011)

David Norris: I thank the Minister very much for her concern, in particular for her opening remarks. I know she said that she cannot be held to it, but I would like her to continue to engage with it because it is infinitely better than the bureaucratic gobbledegook that forms most of the speech, which is virtually impenetrable and could mean anything and which gives absolutely no commitment, except to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2011)

David Norris: Another Member referred to the issue of the prayer which is said at the commencement of business in this House. It is a very beautiful prayer and, as a believing Christian, I am of the view that it is appropriate to say such prayers before beginning one's work. However, one must be mindful of the separation of church and State and of the view of many people like myself - I do not say this...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2011)

David Norris: I accept that. However, the Standing Orders of the Seanad do not apply to the broadcast of the Angelus. As a member of the Church of Ireland, I have consistently defended its broadcast. It would be unfortunate if the impression were to go out that the Church of Ireland objects to it. As I understand it, the church does not have an official position on the matter. As a weekly churchgoer,...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2011)

David Norris: I wish to be associated with the congratulations to Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh. One of the happy benefits of the new arrival is that the Senator will no doubt pass on his beautiful and fluent Irish, thus helping to underpin the future of our language. I also join other speakers in welcoming the appointment of Mrs. Justice Susan Denham as Chief Justice. It is a remarkable advance and...

Seanad: Residential Institutions (Redress) Bill 2011: Second Stage (19 Jul 2011)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister to the House. I regard him as an old friend and colleague and somebody with a compassionate heart and interest in these matters. I have had an amendment to the Bill disallowed on the grounds that it would cause a charge on the Exchequer. It undoubtedly would do so, but this is something that should be encompassed in reform of the Seanad. It is completely ridiculous...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

David Norris: I consider that we are very lucky to have someone of the standing of Senator Zappone to make the detailed, considered, thoughtful and authoritative statement on this matter. I support every word she said and amplify it slightly. The first point is with regard to constitutionality. That is simply a ruse, and everybody knows that. The Law Reform Commission took advice on that and it was...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2011)

David Norris: I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that we stay with what is on the original Order Paper and deal only with Second Stage of the Residential Institutions Redress (Amendment) Bill 2011 today. It is an important Bill and the idea of taking all Stages, with a possible guillotine - although it is a very short Bill and it may not come to that - is bad parliamentary practice....

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2011)

David Norris: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2011)

David Norris: Instead of taking all Stages as per the revised Order Paper, I propose taking the Second Stage only today. The other Stages can be taken tomorrow or before the close of the session.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2011)

David Norris: On a point of order, I am the Whip of the Independent group and I would like at least to be informed of these matters.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2011)

David Norris: I do not have a leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2011)

David Norris: In light of the Leader's helpful and co-operative answer, I am happy to withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: A Vision for Change: Statements (Resumed) (14 Jul 2011)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: A Vision for Change: Statements (Resumed) (14 Jul 2011)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. We are lucky that a person with such a passion for and commitment to this area is in this role. I compliment Senator Gilroy on raising the important issue of the involuntary subjection of patients to electroconvulsive therapy. He is probably aware that working with the Green Party, I introduced legislation in the last Seanad that would have...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2011)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2011)

David Norris: I agree with my colleagues that it is important to examine the Cloyne report. A few days should pass before we discuss it because it should be discussed in a calm and forensic manner. I say this because I have spoken on all the previous reports and I never spoke until I had read them in detail and thought about the implications. The implications are extremely sad. I listened on the radio...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

David Norris: I support Senator O'Brien's comments on the rating agencies. I have raised this issue over the past three years. They are a corrupt conspiracy and commercial offshoot of the New York Stock Exchange. They do not seem to understand the very basic principles of law, such as a conflict of interest. They got involved in rating companies who were paying them for ratings. It is the clearest...