Results 13,741-13,760 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

David Norris: What are they afraid of? What is their problem? I do not understand it. I agree with Senator O'Toole that they look after their dogs. They look after their dogs well; therefore, what are they worrying about? They should be subject to every regulation, like everybody else. If the DSPCA is subject to inspection and brought within the terms of this legislation, what is so bloody special...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

David Norris: I doubt if Senator O'Toole thought he would ever hear that coming from me and there may be mixed views on whether it is good.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

David Norris: Since the Senator brought up the issue of hunting and all the rest, I accept that it is a wonderful pageant. My mother adored the hunt. My uncle retired to Rutland, principally because he was surrounded by the Quorn, the Pytchley, the Belvoir and the Cottesmore. I have seen it and listened to talk of the bell-mouthed hounds. I can understand there is an argument in terms of fox hunting,...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

David Norris: However, I know of no animal that stands by and takes pleasure in the destruction of another animal. That is a pleasure reserved for human beings. I never understood this. I heard a Member on the Government side attempt to defend the obscenity of coursing, which is indefensible. To see a small, poor frightened animal torn to flitters by the fangs of a dog-----

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

David Norris: That is a disgrace. Anybody who can take pleasure in that-----

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

David Norris: I rarely agree with theologians of the Roman Catholic Church. However, I was a great friend of the late Tony Gregory. To his eternal credit, he introduced a Bill on hare coursing which the Government was too gutless to accept. I fed him a quotation from St. Thomas More which read: Thou shouldst rather be moved with pity to see a silly innocent hare murdered of a dog, the weak of the...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

David Norris: With regard to the Bill, I support the Minister. I can understand there may be some confusion and have asked the Minister to explain why he appeared to give certain undertakings and then changed his mind. It is a prerogative of anybody to change his or her mind. Perhaps it means he or she is acting on superior information.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

David Norris: That is a relevant question to be asked. I see no difficulty with the fees for the dog breeding establishments. This country is known as the puppy farm capital of Europe, of which we should be utterly ashamed. The conditions in which the unfortunate animals are kept are appalling. We also have dog fights taking place all over the country. I was lobbied hard on the Bill. Given my...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)

David Norris: I am glad the motion I proposed on head shops has been given all-party support. There was some misunderstanding between myself and Senator O'Toole because I asked him to get agreement on this. I do not like the idea that we will pass the motion without discussion. I will not accept this and I will vote against the Order of Business unless we get a clear commitment and a firm date for this...

Seanad: Standing Committee on Operational Cooperation on Internal Security: Motion (21 Jan 2010)

David Norris: With regard to my distinguished colleague and friend, Senator O'Donovan, he is unduly optimistic when he speaks about the stamping out of drug trafficking. It is simply not going to happen. He was able to refer to two notable successes, on which I compliment those involved in these good examples of detection. However, even at the time the authorities acknowledged what had been seized was...

Seanad: Standing Committee on Operational Cooperation on Internal Security: Motion (21 Jan 2010)

David Norris: Thank you. I ask the Minister of State to ensure, if we are going to be part of this, this issue is taken into account and that our representatives are briefed on it in order that they can untangle it. I am sure many of my colleagues will agree that being forced in some of the airports in London, when one is forced to land in Britain, to go outside the airport and then re-enter and go...

Seanad: Standing Committee on Operational Cooperation on Internal Security: Motion (21 Jan 2010)

David Norris: At least it is not a cartel.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2010)

David Norris: In the first instance I wish to correct my friend, Senator O'Toole. The air traffic controllers were not dismissed, they were suspended. The latter is a lesser sanction. In addition, the technology is not completely new and the runway in question has already been used and is only being brought back into operation. The real problem is that there is a lack of trust. Action must be taken in...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

David Norris: I am too. I am happy to acknowledge it.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

David Norris: The Senator is actually making my point.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

David Norris: There is nobody in the Visitors Gallery at all.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

David Norris: That was because I had so much to get in. I never do.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

David Norris: I issued it to the press. It will get nowhere. That is the problem even when one takes the trouble.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

David Norris: That is why I did it.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

David Norris: I am very happy to acknowledge it.