Results 12,861-12,880 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: On a point of order, I had to rush to the Chamber to take part in the division because the division bell never rang in my office. Neither did it ring in the offices of my secretary or Senator O'Toole, both of which I was in. It was my secretary who pointed out to me that a division had been called.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Cathaoirleach, I find your rulings increasingly extraordinary. One thing is perfectly clear: I have been stopped for using pretty mild language. Lying is outlawed in every parliament in this Continent. If you cannot see it then there is something very seriously wrong with this House and with your rulings in particular. I am horrified by it.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: With regard to the bank guarantee, I share my colleagues' concern. I voted against the guarantee. I also asked several pertinent questions. I asked about the exact amount of the guarantee, which was some €440 billion. Then I asked the Minister and his advisers our gross national product for the previous year. They did not know and had to go out and make a telephone call. Is that not...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I want to end on a positive note. There were some wonderful programmes on television last night. I hope RTE which is consistently under attack will be supported and given money to develop creative programmes. Last night "Nationwide" carried a wonderful celebration of the magnificent institution, The Munster Express, a report on a young farmer with cystic fibrosis-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: -----as well as a report on a lady of certain years in County Laois. It was a wonderful and inspiring programme.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Let us have more home-produced programmes and less of the tripe bought in from abroad.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Connick. I wish to comment on the speech of his immediate predecessor in that seat today, namely, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, who made a valiant stand on television last night but whose speech today requires closer examination. He stated that without this programme our ability to continue to fund essential public services such as...

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I just paid the Minister of State a little compliment but now I am picking his speech to pieces. I listened to the emollient tones of the oleaginous Mr. Chopra on the wireless telling us what good, brave, little soldiers we were, that he had every confidence in us. That was patronising in the extreme. When he said we got a "good deal" I knew he was telling lies because this is an...

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: As a negotiating ploy, we could threaten them with it.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I join Senator Twomey in paying tribute to decent, ordinary and simple values. I particularly mention Macra na Feirme which helped to organise the response among local communities, the ushers who did a terrific job, the Gresham Hotel near me and the planning office. On the comments made by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, there was worse. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: We are not surprised. We are shocked.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I listened with interest to what Senator Mullen had to say. I believed initially these amendments were absurd, dangerous and self-contradictory and the Senator has not persuaded me that they are not. He has completely undermined his own case, particularly in the context of the words he used. Earlier I urged the Minister to reflect on this matter and was successful in getting him do so. I...

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: If the legislation has a chilling effect in preventing people from knowingly making vexatious, misleading or frivolous allegations, so much the better. That is what legislation should do. There is a minor argument which can be made in respect of the second amendment, but I urge Senator Mullen to withdraw both of them.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I do not care about that matter. Mentioning the name of an organisation does not mean anything. The Senator has not sustained his argument.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I would be extremely surprised if Transparency International wanted to incite people and protect those who knowingly make misleading, frivolous or vexatious allegations.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Yes, I believe I have made the point. The language is clear. Protection is not afforded to people who make allegations which they know to be misleading, vexatious or frivolous for corrupt reasons. The import of Senator Mullen's amendments would be to open a blackmailer's charter. If Transparency International stands over the amendments tabled by the Senator, it has made a mistake. I am...