Results 14,681-14,700 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

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

David Norris: I am happy to support this amendment, which provides that any reference made to issues of principle on the practicality of adoption shall be taken to include the provision of information, advice and counselling to a birth parent wishing to consider placing a child for adoption, because adoption is a serious step. I presume the amendment only covers the Irish State and has no extraterritorial...

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

David Norris: The legal point is that under the Constitution of Ireland, the Irish language takes precedence. In light of the controversy that has existed in the past week or so whereby a number of complaints were upheld against Departments due to the lack of accessibility for Irish speakers to legal documents, there is a point that Irish is the dominant language allegedly, legally and theoretically.

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

David Norris: I support the amendment. I do so having spoken on the matter on Second Stage and based on comments on the issue here. I wish also to refer to the e-mail campaign. Senator Healy Eames has done us a service by placing on the record some of the main elements of the brief provided through this campaign, thus rendering it unnecessary for me to do so. I received well over 100 e-mails, most of...

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

David Norris: It is appropriate to be prudent and careful in these matters. There are issues which the Minister of State needs to answer. A number of us, including Senators Fitzgerald, Bacik, Prendergast and me, asked about the 1 May deadline in advance of the deadline. We made it clear there was some urgency about it. The House is entitled to an explanation as to why that deadline passed. There may...

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

David Norris: Yes.

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

David Norris: I second the amendment. I had put down an amendment in the first instance on Committee Stage. My position is perhaps more radical as I am disquieted by the fact that the apparent proposals of the Government do not include any such provision in the civil partnership Bill. It is clear the Government has shied away from it, although it is a very important aspect and a principal defect of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Fat chance.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: I take a more temperate view. We made fools of ourselves and did not manage this matter very skilfully. We cannot blame the press for the interest it took in this. I certainly will not work seven days, or 24 hours. I often leave this place at 11 p.m. and I do a damn hard day's work, but if anyone thinks I will work on Sunday, they can forget it. I go to St. Patrick's Cathedral and I...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Senator Leyden's Government gave it away for nothing and the Minister who did so went to jail. We know all about that. I ask for the debate we were promised on human rights, especially in the light of death sentences currently being passed on people in Tibet.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Nonsense.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: On a point of order, the Leader has not made himself clear. This House is entitled to an explanation why the House did not sit.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: He promised one. He has not given it. He has talked a lot of rubbish, which brings the House into worse disrepute, about playing golf at 7 o'clock in the morning to honour-----

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: I understand they do not allow women on that team.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: He said he is giving an explanation but he has not given it. This House is entitled to an explanation why we did not meet yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: There is plenty of legislation to be dealt with, including the civil partnership Bill which has been promised a long time but we have not seen.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2009)

David Norris: That is a bit thick.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Why is there not such work?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

David Norris: I ask for a debate on human rights to take into account circumstances analogous to those in Gaza that are still occurring, even under the Obama administration, in Afghanistan where the great powers played out a game, at long distance and to the disadvantage of that country's people, which inspired the Taliban and resulted in the negative aspects of extreme, fanatical religious positions.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear.