Results 12,721-12,740 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (29 Jan 2011)

David Norris: I am aware of that and it is precisely what I am addressing. I really want to make this final point. The recommendation refers to the benefits of job creation, but there is also the possibility of job losses. I would like to put this point to the Minister right from the beginning of the debate which I am taking very seriously, a Chathaoirligh, as you will appreciate from the tone I am...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Pat Carey, to what is probably his last appearance in either House of the Oireachtas. I am sad about the way this Parliament has disintegrated. I do not believe any party or individual has covered itself, himself or herself with glory. There is no question that every one of them was jockeying for position to gain political electoral advantage. The Green...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

David Norris: He should have spotted it. There is no excuse. It suggests a lamentable lack of professionalism. I am not trying to make a partisan point because I have friends in all parties and there are Members of all parties I certainly respect. Senator Bradford made a good point that we need a change, not only in Government but in the way we do business. The Cathaoirleach does a good job within the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

David Norris: It could not possibly be. Is it really?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

David Norris: There is plenty of time. I want to make a couple of points because there was plenty of latitude provided to the other side.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

David Norris: On the question of the banks, I do not accept that we are responsible at all. There were plenty of German banks which foolishly speculated on our property bubble. Why should we pay them back? As for the interest rates, we are touching our forelocks again. They should be paying us to launder their money.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

David Norris: We certainly are touching them.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

David Norris: In that case, I certainly will obey the ruling of the Cathaoirleach and will sit down. However, I serve notice that I will take up some of these matters tomorrow on Committee Stage. I have tabled a series of amendments that may resolve some of the problems experienced by both sides.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

David Norris: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

David Norris: I regret that, owing to a diary conflict, I am unlikely to be present to pay tribute to the leaders of 1916 in the presence of their descendents. I ask the Leader to transmit personally my feelings that they were men of vision and chivalry. They had a poetic vision of Ireland and gave us the extraordinary and wonderfully liberating Proclamation that Padraig Pearse read at the GPO. I would...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

David Norris: Not all commentators were acid about them. This morning Michael O'Regan on Newstalk made the point that these are real issues which they were right to raise and, accordingly, should not be attacked for so doing. Not all commentators were incorrect on this matter. The record of the three Deputies in question should be kept in mind when judging the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

David Norris: Is the Senator claiming he would like to clean up his own Government's mess?

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Committee Stage (25 Jan 2011)

David Norris: I am grateful to the Minister of State for his reply. The difficulty is in what he said about the question of resources being available. This almost invariably stops these progressive things. What worries me is that there is a principle of equity in all this. I have always believed the scarce resources of the State should go to those students most in need. The colleges that have not been...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Committee Stage (25 Jan 2011)

David Norris: I see socialism is not widespread.

Seanad: Fourteenth Report of Committee of Selection: Motion (25 Jan 2011)

David Norris: I am sure we will have an opportunity to pay tribute to the work Senator O'Toole did on the committee, but in fairness the House should note that he has behaved with great honour and integrity. It is for reasons that are completely understandable and to maintain the highest ethical standards he has sought to be discharged from membership of the committee. I very much regret that he has...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Jan 2011)

David Norris: I support the amendment tabled by Senator Fidelma Healy Eames which is a very good one. I have also been lobbied, not by the vocational education committee in my own area, although there are many distinguished VEC operations, including the Dublin institutes of technology, with which I have worked, but I believe by the vocational education authority, VEA, the group which represents all of them.

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Jan 2011)

David Norris: I beg the Senator's pardon.

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Jan 2011)

David Norris: I also thank Senator Healy Eames. The Irish Vocational Education Association naturally feels its powers, role and status are being diminished somewhat, even though I am sure it agrees with the necessity for efficiency and the way in which this will be sharpened by the legislation. I spoke with Senator Healy Eames just before the Bill was brought before the House about the nature of her...