Results 14,181-14,200 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

David Norris: They would get good bang for their buck.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

David Norris: Excuse me, Senator Regan, if you are referring to me I would like you to withdraw that remark. I am an Independent Senator. I did not defend expenses. I asked for a proper clarification and an historical analysis of our record in committees and everything else.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

David Norris: Let the people know. I defend my record.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

David Norris: I seem to remember mentioning that subject.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

David Norris: If I may speak, through the Chair, on a point of something or other, I mean no discourtesy to the House. I would like to listen to the reply but I will have to read it. I must be in another place to attend a meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, where we will discuss the report on Gaza, just in case anybody around here would think I am going on an expenses junket.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

David Norris: I wanted to call for a debate on education in light of the unspent moneys at the Department of Education and Science and the wonderful news about Trinity College Dublin and UCD numbering among the world's first 50 and 100 universities, respectively, but I cannot. I am furious, given the way in which the House and its politicians are being treated. I would be happy to sign up to making...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

David Norris: A couple of months ago, I was telephoned by a tabloid newspaper and asked how I could justify travelling expenses of €6,000 or so. I told the newspaper that I could not. When I was asked whether I had anything else to say, I stated that I had never claimed a single penny because I walked every day, as I walked today. I have never claimed travelling expenses. It was a daily allowance,...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

David Norris: I am angry. Before the war, I visited Baghdad in an attempt to secure the human rights of the unfortunate people of Iraq. We got 43p per day because we were slavishly following the British instruction, but the British wanted to keep people like myself out of Iraq. What can we do? We must be open. I believed that the item on corruption was going to be about Berlusconi. I remember the...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

David Norris: When I asked about this, I was told that politicians on a junket was a story but that politicians working was not. Let us have a bit of responsibility and let the House be reported properly. I want the people to know what work I do.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Oct 2009)

David Norris: I do not need six. I shall take Senator Quinn's leavings.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Oct 2009)

David Norris: I thank Senator Quinn for allowing me to speak in his time. Planning matters are very important, particularly as they impact on housing. The Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, has been in the House on a number of occasions dealing in a progressive manner with housing developments. We have had very interesting and useful debates. I am not as big a fan of An Bord Pleanála as some of my...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Oct 2009)

David Norris: I apologise. I did not think I would.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

David Norris: In your statement on privilege, a Chathaoirligh, you indicated that you would tolerate no abuses of privilege. That is appropriate. However, as you spoke it seemed to me that you are allowing no use whatever of the privilege. A privilege that cannot be used is meaningless. I have used this privilege. It must be used sparingly and judiciously. I used it, within the term of this...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

David Norris: I take it-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

David Norris: -----rubbish for Wednesdays.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

David Norris: The Senator is a slow learner; we have tried to distil that into him.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

David Norris: What about meeting the Minister for Finance?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

David Norris: What about Fianna Fáil's Minister? Fianna Fáil always targets its partners in government.

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (6 Oct 2009)

David Norris: I support this amendment. This is an important section because it decides the principle under which large elements of the legislation will operate. It is important that we support our public transport system as strongly as possible. I was never an advocate of privatisation. I regard the privatisation of Aer Lingus and Eircom as disasters. Without any suggestion of a party affiliation,...