Results 14,441-14,460 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I wrote to him but he keeps telling me that no meetings take place of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I support the thoughtful amendment tabled by Senator Fitzgerald because she used the correct word when she mentioned accountability. For the Houses of the Oireachtas to operate effectively it is important we have access to all the information on a factual basis. Senator Fitzgerald expressed some hesitation and did not seem completely sure the amendment would be accepted and would not be...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: It still creates a charge.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I would like to register my delight at the Leas-Chathaoirleach's wonderfully Jesuitical justification. I shall remember it because it applies to every single amendment that has been excluded previously. In other words, as long as it comes within the global budget, no matter what it dislodges, it is not a charge on the Exchequer. I am extremely grateful for his instruction. I shall improve...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I support Senator Fitzgerald's amendment because sometimes it can be critical to have these assessments done quickly. As she said, many of these patients are highly dependent. There may be an urgency about it. Speaking professionally as a member of the NUJ, I worked as a journalist for a mass circulation newspaper for three and a half years and I found the fact that I had a deadline of...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I ask the Leader to explain the reason he did not indicate there would be a sos during the debate on the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill. Given that, as with many other Bills taken in the House, the same three or four Senators will be present all day, we are entitled to this little courtesy. I note the Leader is nodding and I assume, therefore, that a sos will be included, for which I...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister of State. This matter concerns the Meath women's refuge and support services and the severe cutback in support made by the Government. I wish to give the context for this issue which concerns violence against women. The Minister of State, who is a cultivated, literate man from a cultivated, literate family will, I am sure, remember a very powerful work by Roddy Doyle...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I thank the Minister of State for his response which provides some, albeit very little, comfort. While I understand he spoke on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, I welcome his acknowledgement that Meath women's refuge and support services provides a valuable service and enjoys an excellent reputation. However, as to his subsequent reference to fund-raising, it...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: This will eventually resolve itself into a question.

Seanad: Domestic Violence (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: Not quite. I will put a question if the Leas-Chathaoirleach requires that little flourish. I ask that the Minister of State request the Minister to justify the ideological approach evident in the statement that "the HSE wishes to reorient its services to operate on an outreach approach". Are we honestly suggesting this should be the case? We are talking about women who are being battered...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I thank the Minister of State. To make a final point-----

Seanad: Domestic Violence (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: -----families are broken up only in the most exceptional circumstances. We are not breaking up families. I do not want to return to the days when people would not interfere in domestic disputes because they considered them a family matter. Women and children need to be protected from this type of damage.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: While we should listen with respect to Senator Mary White because she has practical experience in the world of business, I am not sure that her argument regarding commercially sensitive information holds much water. We are considering issues of comparability and it is reasonable that when charges imposed by a particular nursing home are "materially in excess of the price at which long term...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: It is appropriate to examine these matters. Apart from anything else, this is State money.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I know; I am just saying it. The Minister of State is defending the provision, as it stands, and seems to be subject to a degree of criticism from all sides. I have no difficulty with the board examining the accounts; it would be a scandal if it did not do so. Can one imagine what would happen if the newspapers were to get hold of this and found there was ridiculous overcharging and that...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: We should consider going along with Senator Mullen's amendment.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I am surprised it is financial.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I simply wanted to say, "I told you so". It is perfectly obvious this has to do with the Department of Finance and it is because it is not rights-based legislation.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: Amendments Nos. 28 and 29 refer to section 30. It is essential that a person carrying out a review of care needs or of financial assessments is independent. The phrase used in the Bill is "suitable person". The Minister of State may agree that in order to be suitable a person should be independent. It is not a great leap of the imagination, or of a draftsperson's pen, to include the...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister of State's engaging honesty in stating that her principal reason for not accepting the first amendment is that it would require a separate budget. If it creates a charge on the Exchequer that would have been a reason for ruling the amendment out of order. This further highlights the completely chaotic state of rulings on admissibility of amendments. It is daft. Some...