Results 14,621-14,640 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (19 May 2009)

David Norris: I cannot. We cannot have a vote.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (19 May 2009)

David Norris: Does the Senator think it creates a charge on the Exchequer, after my explanation? It does not.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (19 May 2009)

David Norris: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (19 May 2009)

David Norris: It must go on the record that the Government spokesperson has said it is a good amendment. He thinks it is correct and that it does not create a charge on the Exchequer, and he has asked the Minister of State to consider the issue. That is an important point. In light of this, we need to review our procedures in the House. I say that with no disrespect to the Cathaoirleach or the staff of...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (19 May 2009)

David Norris: With the greatest respect, I challenge the Cathaoirleach's view on that. I have served here for 21 years and, traditionally, Members spoke, at some moderate length, particularly on an important Bill such as this one. It would not be appropriate to close such provision and I am glad the Cathaoirleach, in his wisdom, did not do so. I welcome this Bill. I believe everybody would agree that...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (19 May 2009)

David Norris: The Senator did not get one from me.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 59: In page 37, line 29, after "affidavit" to insert "or both". This amendment concerns the Adoption Authority taking evidence orally or on affidavit. It has been suggested to me that it would be an improvement if it were allowed to be taken in both forms and would provide an additional safeguard.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I accept the Minister of State's assurances. However, if the term "or both" were inserted, it would imply to the average reader that it is an option. For example, if one offered a child an apple or a banana, it is only the naughtiest of children who would say, "Yes, thank you. I will have an apple and a banana." I hope the Minister of State is correct in this.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 60: In page 37, after line 42, to insert the following: "(d) an employee of the Health Service Executive or accredited body.". Regarding those allowed to request a court case to be taken concerning the welfare of a child, in addition to various categories of person, including an applicant for an adoption order, the mother or guardian of the child, or any person having...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I thank the Minister of State for clarifying the point that the proposed provision is already met in legislation.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 61: In page 39, to delete lines 1 to 4 and substitute the following: "(3) However, if the court decides to determine the question of the custody of the child, the court shall do so having regard for the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration.". This goes to the heart of the primary importance of a child's welfare. I cannot imagine there could be...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: The people who briefed me on this wanted to have a further reassurance on this matter. They wished to have the legislation reflect and be embedded with best practice for children's welfare. I assume they will be satisfied by the Minister's response.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I second the amendment. I agree completely with the argument made by Senator Fitzgerald. It is human to want to trace relatives as some stage in one's life, no matter how successful and happy is the adoption. In addition, increasingly adoptees are seeking information about their parental background in terms of illness profile and genetic predisposition to certain illnesses and so on. The...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: Does the Minister of State agree that is worrying?

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: He neglected the actual substance of the amendment which referred to support.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I know that but it does not matter. I put my name to the amendment because I supported it and knew what it meant.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I did not want to venture into the byways. The Minister of State could easily have accepted it because it was directly analogous to the preceding amendment. If he accepts one, it is daft that he does not accept the other. They are bound by the idea that in this human situation both adoptive and adoptee families should be given as much support as possible. We are suggesting the addition of...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: Perhaps it is because we are on Report Stage that there are so many references to reports of various kinds. There was a reference to the absence of proper reports in the Russian situation and now we have mention of the Monageer report, which is not directly relevant but since it has been opened up by Senators and by the Minister of State, I will mention it. What concerns me principally about...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I sincerely hope he is right. Will he comment, as Minister with responsibility for children, on the article on the front page of The Irish Times about a report which states that thousands of children at risk of abuse have no social worker? How can that be explained if there is no embargo on the recruitment of social workers? Why is it not being done? One third of the 21,000 children who...