Results 13,841-13,860 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: If I may make a brief point without disturbing the Minister's train of thought, I am a little concerned on the basis that the Minister referred to a possible investigation, but there are no guidelines except for this debate and I doubt if the entire island of Ireland is listening in avidly to what we are saying here this afternoon. There are no guidelines for the investigating officer to...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: It would be difficult to try anyway.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: That is disgusting.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I thank the Minister for her clear and cogent replies. It is always a pleasure to deal with a Minister who is on top of her or his brief. I am sure I will be asked whether I intend to press the amendment. I do not. However, I wish to explore one issue. I am horrified to learn that, as the Minister has let slip, at least one employee of the Department was sitting outside someone's...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: Why not?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I expect Peeping Toms consider it a vocation.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I am absolutely staggered by this revelation of the sexual vigour of the population; that this is rampant all over the country. What an interesting observation.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: Many people are living together. I understand there is a question of fairness and that conditions are set down. However, I am interested in the intrusiveness of the situation, which I consider regrettable. I take it that the conditions refer to a situation where, for example, a woman or man – I assume men are entitled to the same payment or are they----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: It is mostly women but it could be men. I take it that this kind of prohibition really concerns the father of the children, or are the lone parents required as a condition to remain celibate for the period of their receipt of the money? I do not see why they should. Sexual activity is a perfectly natural human function. I do not see why it should completely cease just because no one is...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: Is celibacy a criteria? Is it as clear cut as that?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: It is not being pressed in light of the Minister's very helpful attitude and her undertaking that this will be addressed in the spring whenever that arrives. I hope it is a calendar spring and not a climatic spring.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, line 18, before "The", to insert the following: "(1) No person shall have his/her jobseeker's allowance reduced on the grounds of refusal to apply for a job unless the job declined is both suitable and appropriate.". I tabled this amendment after the debate on Second Stage when I pointed out that the Minister had on several occasions in her speech referred...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: In that case it would be rather a rushed job but we can still always return to this amendment, particularly because there are no other amendments except for the opposition to sections. We will be trundling through the lobbies fairly regularly. I am interested in the Minister's reply.

Seanad: Visit of Czech Delegation (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I am not sure if this is a point of order or a point of procedure but I wonder if it would be appropriate for the Leas-Chathaoirleach to inform the delegation that one of our Members, Senator Ivana Bacik, is the granddaughter of a prominent Czech citizen who did great honour to this country by bringing the art of cutting glass here and reviving the glass factory in Waterford. The delegation...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: We have wandered widely but the Leas-Chathaoirleach has wisely restrained us and brought us back. I hope I do not fall too much in that area. I tabled an amendment following yesterday's discussion and know the Minister's agreement in principle comes later when matters such as dental benefit will be discussed. The Minister used the word "cut". A problem that many of us have - it is not...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: That is a very good example. Can it be encouraged?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: An extremely interesting question was asked by Senator Buttimer about poverty-proofing by the social inclusion unit. This concerned me. I know it worried many of the people involved in the Combat Poverty Agency. It does not attract the greatest credibility when the Department making the cuts also assesses the impact on poverty. The fact the social inclusion unit is part of the Department...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I am glad to see the Minister looked suitably embarrassed by the inadequacy of her answer. If there is anything worse than the Department of Social and Family Affairs assessing itself, it is to have the Department of Finance proof against poverty.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I support Senator Daly's call for a debate on Gaza. It was interesting that an arrest warrant was issued against Tzipi Livni. The same thing previously happened in the case of President Augusto Pinochet. It is interesting that national and international courts are being employed to hold political leaders to account. I welcome that development. It is also interesting that the British...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear.