Results 14,661-14,680 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

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

David Norris: -----and should have regard to the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration. I intend to press it, but only to a voice vote.

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

David Norris: I move amendment No. 56: In page 36, to delete lines 21 to 23 and substitute the following: "(2) The Authority may attach, to the interim order, conditions in regard to the maintenance, education and welfare of the child and in regard to access arrangements in respect of maintaining meaningful contacts for the child.". This amendment involves a slight difference in language from the form...

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

David Norris: I thank the Minister of State and I accept his assurance that he accepts the principle behind the amendment and will reconsider the matter in conjunction with the Adoption Board.

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

David Norris: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

David Norris: That may be factually incorrect.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

David Norris: It would be an honour for President Obama too.

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

David Norris: I was making the point that services relating to the provision of information, advice and counselling to a birth parent wishing to consider placing a child for adoption already exist in many instances. The principal intention behind the amendment is not to institute these services but rather to obtain recognition in respect of them in legislation. In view of the fact that the services to...

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

David Norris: I am very grateful to the Minister of State for that.

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

David Norris: However, I am of the view that it would have been appropriate to accept the amendment in this House.

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

David Norris: Had it been accepted, it would have provided due recognition in respect of the Seanad's role regarding the introduction of the legislation.

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

David Norris: I second the amendment, which represents a further stage of development on the position we considered in the context of the previous amendment. I am of the view that amendments Nos. 6 and 7 are closely related because we are moving on to deal not just with the birth parents but also with the adoptive parents, namely, those who are assuming responsibility for the child. This is an extremely...

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

David Norris: That is not correct.

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

David Norris: The word "report" is not contained in the amendment. Why is the Minister of State going on about it?

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

David Norris: I move amendment No. 8: In page 19, line 33, after "Executive" to insert "or of an accredited body". It is obvious from the debates on the earlier amendments that the Health Service Executive is in no position to provide all the supports necessary in this area. This amendment allows such supports to be provided by other accredited bodies, a perfectly proper and appropriate proposal. I hope...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I support Senator Fitzgerald on what I understand to be a call for a debate on the rights of children and the services to support them. While there may have been some arguments for redacting some elements of the Monageer report, I find no justification whatever for editing out the seven recommendations. How on earth is this Parliament to exercise its role of supervision in assessing whether...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Good.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear. Well said.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Good woman.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: I second the amendment. It is a useful one that follows the principle of placing the interests of the child as paramount. It provides for a special relationship with a special guardian in circumstances where the birth mother may find it difficult or there may be some obstruction but a link with the birth parents is still retained. At the same time, it prevents the child having a new...