Results 13,861-13,880 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: If the Senator is such an enthusiast, why does he not join Fianna Fáil?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I am being helpful.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I would like to share time with Senator Quinn.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: As I have a personal fondness for and appreciation of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin, I usually welcome her to the House. However, I cannot give this Bill an enthusiastic or wholehearted welcome. I would like to pick up on an interesting remark made by Senator Butler who bravely attempted to welcome it. I made an important point in another part of the building...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I have a couple of issues to deal with quickly. With regard to welfare fraud, the Minister will remember that I raised in the House a year ago the issue of whether there was photographic identification. The Minister said she honestly did not know but she would find out, and she found that there was not. Is there yet such identification? I do not believe there is.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: It is being introduced but it is not actually being applied yet.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: Well done. Perhaps the Minister will give this House credit for revealing that because it was done in a spirit of goodwill and co-operation.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I am just finishing a sentence. Rehab has made very clear claims about what is happening. Dentists are in great difficulty and they claim there will be a catastrophic fall both in their incomes and in the quality of dental health. I end on the following point, although I am sure the Chair could be flexible. I know a person who I saved a number of years ago. His blind pension was...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: His letter states he must now pay a prescription charge for the medication he receives to lessen the effects of his MS. He writes: "It is as if some cowardly mugger went through my pockets as I sat in my wheelchair and then stood on the other side of the street boasting of his courage." In conclusion, let us get the immigration and asylum Bill into the House. We already have habitual...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: And a Gogarty to you too, sir. Many issues of considerable importance are before the House today but the most urgent is the Supreme Court's extremely important decision, which I welcome. I wish to express my sympathy to the Roche family on both sides of the argument. It is painful and difficult to go to court and I am sure they both feel rather bruised today. We in both Houses cannot feel...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: It is a marked reluctance.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: Surely that is a justice matter rather than a finance one.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I am flattered by the confusion.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I listened yesterday evening to the budget debate and this morning to some extensive discussions in that regard. I also heard many people complaining, which is natural, given some have been badly hit. It was harrowing to listen to people document how much they have lost and how little they will have to live on. I believe Members on all sides empathise with this. I was struck to hear...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I believe it is a mistake for the Government at this stage to give misinformation in this regard. I respectfully disagree with my colleague and distinguished commentator, Senator Ross. I believe we must invest in FÁS at this time. We must try to ensure a return to work for people-----

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

David Norris: -----and that we do not cripple those agencies that can retrain people. Yes, we must make them more efficient but they must have investment.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I strongly support that. I regret the cut in overseas development aid. Many people have suggested that if it had been left expressed as a percentage it would decline naturally anyway. In 2010, we will be giving less than that which we gave three solemn commitments to provide, which is disastrous. We are in difficult times and should row together to support not the Government but the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

David Norris: And me.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

David Norris: So am I.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

David Norris: That is much more important. We quite understand.