Results 14,321-14,340 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

David Norris: A Chathaoirligh, can you advise if this is the time when we can make comments on the general outcome of the Bill? When we come to that I wish to speak for a few minutes. Bill received for final consideration.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

David Norris: Senator Bacik has said a lot of what I would have said and I will content myself by repeating the points that are of interest to me. I believe there are some areas where there may be the capacity for too great an intrusion by the State. Senator Bacik, in her professorial capacity, dealt with those very well and raised those concerns. It remains to be seen what happens in the outcome in...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

David Norris: I do not care. I would be delighted if he was. I could prick his little balloon for him any time I felt like it.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

David Norris: I feel strongly about this issue. I believe those people are doing us a service because a deal was done by a Minister, who subsequently served a jail sentence, and the resources of this State, which belong rightfully to the people, were handed to a multinational combine, which is regarded as probably the dirtiest ecologically. It was awarded that particular distinction in recent days and...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

David Norris: It is quite jazzy. Whereas the activities of the State, in terms of surveillance, are examined in the Bill, what are not directly examined or challenged legally in the Bill are the activities of people outside the direct State apparatus. I refer to the fairly thuggish security groups employed by various concerns, including Shell Oil. That worries me. I would like to know it will be...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

David Norris: -----children were filmed undressing on a beach and a Roman Catholic priest was filmed while walking his dog.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

David Norris: Since this matter was not directly addressed in the Bill, as far as I understand, I ask the Minister of State to take back to his colleagues a suggestion that it should be looked in subsequent legislation governing the operation of private security firms.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

David Norris: Absolutely.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

David Norris: Senators Coffey and Buttimer are correct that it is a question of definition. I strongly support the intention of the amendment and believe the Minister does also. I heard him on the radio deploring the fact that what he had regarded as a positive engagement with the Seanad and his preparedness to accept amendments was, to a certain extent, turned into a political football. He was accused...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

David Norris: The Minister might consider this area and come up with a focused measure. According to the amendment, it seems a dwelling does not even have to be attached to the main house. It would be inappropriate if very wealthy people with very wealthy parents did not have to pay just because those parents lived in a structure that had been transferred to their children by gift of deed, for example....

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

David Norris: I thank the Minister and his officials for the courteous way in which they dealt with this matter in the House. The civilised exchanges that took place in the Seanad give reasonable justification for why it is worthwhile continuing with this branch of the Oireachtas. I welcome the fact that the Minister accepted, at least in spirit, a number of the amendments that were proposed and argued...

Seanad: Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jul 2009)

David Norris: I am floating in on this rather opportunistically. Senator Doherty raised the spectre of self-catering units and asked whether the fine was to be applied to each unit. I received communication at a very late date from somebody I know who is engaged in the self-catering chalet business. The cost of levies and fines would apparently be sufficient to put him out of business. If possible, I...

Seanad: Unemployment: Motion (1 Jul 2009)

David Norris: I will join the debate from a specific angle because it could be a wide debate. The Minister of State has honourably and honestly put on the record of the House a serious situation, namely, the more than 400,000 people who are unemployed. It is a catastrophic situation that we would not have contemplated some years ago. What will our response be? I will not savage the Government and there...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Jul 2009)

David Norris: I wish to share time with Senator Quinn.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Jul 2009)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister of State. I listened with interest to the contribution of the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and I note he intends the charge to relate not just to rental and holiday homes but also to vacant properties. That is a good development because it will provide an incentive for the charge to be passed on. It is critical the Minister should make clear that the most important...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Jul 2009)

David Norris: I am sure the Acting Chairman, who is a good Roscommon man and very flexible, will allow me to make a concluding point.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Jul 2009)

David Norris: I take this opportunity to scotch the rumours to the effect that I am interested in pursuing the position of elected lord mayor of Dublin. Establishing a directly elected office of lord mayor is a good idea.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Jul 2009)

David Norris: If there is to be a directly elected mayor, he or she must possess the right talents. I am modest enough to state that I do not possess them. In addition, he or she must have access to a proper, decent, good, independent budget.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Jul 2009)

David Norris: Senator Quinn would make a very good lord mayor. I would campaign on his behalf and vote for him.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

David Norris: Senator Regan is a victim of friendly fire.