Results 12,841-12,860 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

David Norris: This is really a technical Bill but it has given us an opportunity which I am glad my colleagues have exploited perfectly correctly by putting on the record very serious issues concerning health and the machinations of the tobacco industry. With some of them I agree and with some I disagree strongly. I wish to set the scene by pointing out that 16 people per day in Ireland are killed as a...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

David Norris: -----the smoking ban. The previous Government, which was of a similar complexion to this one, introduced several good measures which I have never denied. The smoking ban was remarkable and put Ireland to the forefront of world policy. Ireland was the first state in the world to implement such a ban, a fact of which we should be very proud. Not only that, we got away it. At the time, it...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I suggested we should be careful of those who encourage us to have them.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

David Norris: They should get a negative bonus.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I spoke twice yesterday on the economy and put on the record a heart-rending letter from a woman who is experiencing the impossibility of meeting her very basic commitments to her family. I am not going to read the letter into the Order of Business again, but we have to realise that one simply cannot get blood out of a stone. We have all got to take whatever cuts we can, I would tell the...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear, well said.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: The only comment on which I can agree with my colleague and friend, Senator Mary White, is that the Taoiseach has clearly demonstrated that Ireland is a place in which to do business. If one wants to rape a country, get every available asset and screw the people to the wall, it is a case of "Come on in, the shop is open," because that is what has happened under this Administration. I take no...

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: It is not rubbish. I was here. I witnessed what happened and heard who was, apparently, giving a direction. The Leader was plainly confused.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: The cameras never lie and I might rely on photographic evidence, but I will not be sidetracked. Look at what happened the other day when I wanted to have the House adjourned under Standing Order 30. In the aftermath of the memorandum of understanding through which the Government sold out in the most unconscionable way, I was told it was not a matter of national urgency.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: That was patently absurd and I happen to know that that decision did not come from the Cathaoirleach. That is an abrogation of democratic principles in this House. Is it any wonder the people have given up on Fianna Fáil? The party is at 13% in the polls.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I will withdraw it, but I will not withdraw the comment that Fianna Fáil is at 13% in the polls. It might be a pity. The Senators opposite are decent and good people, but 87% of the public do not seem to have much confidence in the party.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Whom did the Leas-Chathaoirleach think I was addressing?

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: In that case, I humbly apologise and will address the Chair once more.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I do. Senator Mary White has said people are wondering if Fianna Fáil party members do not have confidence in the leader. How can they? It is not a question of confidence in the Government. People do not have confidence in the Government because it has done exactly what I said would happen almost three years ago when it started to disable every organisation which had tried to speak out...

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Do you, Senator Feeney, believe they have confidence in the Government?

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: That is Senator Feeney's answer, but I find it impossible to believe it is true. I echo President Clinton's remark, "It's the economy, stupid", and do not mean it as a vulgar insult to Government Members.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: That is what President Clinton said, because that is where the living heart of public life is. However, people are being put to the pin of their collar while they see fat-cat bankers and other individuals trading on our gullibility. I wish to say something which my friends in Fianna Fáil have also said. Perhaps some of the Members present will pick up on it. I regularly hear people on...

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I believe Deputy Bruton would.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2011: Statements (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: It is difficult to know what to say on an occasion such this. I was in the Visitors Gallery of the Dáil yesterday, as were many of my colleagues, listening and witnessing what happened as the budget was presented by a man with whom I have a professional friendship and whom I respect and like, Deputy Brian Lenihan. What appalled me was the spurious air of formality given by the production...