Results 13,941-13,960 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Yes, it is.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Many speakers have referred to vulnerable people, such as the elderly and carers. I gave the House a warning a long time ago about the systematic crippling of State agencies that are charged with protecting the vulnerable. I will continue to use the Seanad to highlight such cases. I was contacted some time ago by a woman who is concerned about her 87 year old sister, who has intermittent...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: The business of this House is run in a most chaotic and disordered fashion. We have again revised the Order of Business and a Bill is going through all Stages without notice. There was supposed to be a gap. It is deplorable the way Members on all sides are being treated. It is wrong and I wish to register my objection. I will not call a vote at this point because that would be...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: It is bad parliamentary practice.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I support the amendment in principle. It is the very point I raised on Second Stage. The triple lock mechanism does not include Seanad Éireann. If there was a method to provide for consultation with Seanad Éireann, that would be very welcome. The reason I did not table an amendment was that I was advised there was a constitutional prohibition of some kind. If a referendum of some sort...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: It comes as a considerable relief to myself and I am sure to other Members of the House that the Leader of the House, Senator Donie Cassidy, is not in a position to declare war.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I am aware of that. That was what the Minister said. I am simply taking him up on that and emphasising the point. It is curious that an amendment in my name was ruled out of order on the basis that it was outside the scope of the Bill, whereas the Fine Gael amendments, although apparently unconstitutional, were not ruled out of order and were permitted to be discussed. That appears to be...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: There are several Members - Senators Quinn and Ross. Would it not be useful for Senators Ross and Quinn to be in a position to comment directly? Is it a farce that we can make moltaí, which I understand is the Irish for recommendations, but we cannot make amendments. My final point is that we could not conceivably make a bigger balls of the economy than the present crowd have done.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: In that case, I will replace the word "balls" with the word "bags".

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Liathróidí.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Before the Minister replies, I would like him to comment on one brief point. I believe there is a defect in his logic because he said that since we were not permitted a role in the major and most serious matter of declaring war, we are therefore debarred from having a role in a minor matter. I do not see the logic in that. I would have thought that it would be appropriate perhaps if we...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I believe the Attorney General is incorrect in his view. I will tell the House precisely why and I can substantiate it. The Attorney General is relying on the absence of a requirement; he is not relying on a prohibition. I call on the Minister to take back to the Attorney General the undoubted fact that the 1937 Constitution is an organic entity. It did not stop on the day it was signed...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Will this allow the Minister if he so agrees to introduce an amendment on Report Stage?

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: If it would help the Cathaoirleach, will the Minister indicate if there is any possibility of it? If not, the matter is finished but it would be good if there were such a possibility, even if it meant coming back for ten minutes or so at the end of the sitting. It would show the Seanad is doing its duty and there can be no possible conflict with Government policy or existing practice.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I understand that.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Can I assist the Minister? Although the first four letters of consent and consult are the same, they have different-----

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: There is no requirement. It is called consultation.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: The Minister has avoided the idea of consultation. He referred to consent but there is a very significant difference between the two. Obviously, the Minister will not accept the amendment or even a revised amendment. However, will he give an undertaking to the House that the matter could be explored again with a view to including Seanad Éireann formally in a consultation process before...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I received the usual courteous note from the Cathaoirleach indicating that amendment No. 1a had been ruled out of order on the basis that it was outside the scope of the Bill. It is difficult for me to understand how it is, as it seems to be very much part of the general considerations. The European Defence Agency is the central element of the Bill; therefore, it remains very obscure to me...