Results 1,521-1,540 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2019)

David Norris: It has been such an interesting afternoon. I would be tempted to call a quorum but since the Government has reduced it to six and there are five Members in the House, it is bit of a redundant exercise. I am assured that hundreds of thousands of people are watching this avidly online. I am still firmly in support of Senator McDowell. However, I think the Minister made a number of shrewd...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2019)

David Norris: I see. The interviews will be new, which is true.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2019)

David Norris: It could. There are circumstances where, for example, there could be a change of Government and the incoming Government might have different ideas about the list. That is a point that needs to be considered. However, I will be firmly supporting Senator McDowell when, as I confidently expect, he calls for a vote.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2019)

David Norris: Senator McDowell’s amendment suffers from the same grammatical inadequacy.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2019)

David Norris: Does the new Government get a new shortlist?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: I do not think there is time for the Senator to have sex reassignment surgery.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: Exactly.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: Plastic is part of the hole in the wall system.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: You can say that again.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: The first matter I want to raise may appear to be a little trivial but it is very important. The Knights of the Campanile is a sporting organisation in Trinity College Dublin-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: -----which was recently found to have been involved in a form of hazing. As far as I know, it was pretty mild but hazing is a very noxious practice. An attempt is now being made to suppress the college newspaper, The University Times, which published a report on same. It is shocking that a university body would try to stamp on freedom of expression in this way. Although I am a Knight of...

Seanad: Public Authorities and Utility Undertakings (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2019: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: Yes. We will share the time equally. First, I congratulate Senator Higgins on this Bill. It is a timely response to a series of catastrophes that have occurred. I think it is important that Seanad Éireann shows a leading role in this area. Senator Higgins has indicated that she is prepared to be flexible and she recognises that this Bill is not perfect in its present state. She...

Seanad: Public Authorities and Utility Undertakings (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2019: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: I understand, but it could be interpreted in that way, as I chose to do.

Seanad: Public Authorities and Utility Undertakings (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2019: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: We are governed in this area by European Union law. Under this law, a public contract is defined by who is doing the purchasing, what the person is buying and who the person buys from. The various directives also set down minimum time limits. That is fair enough because it gives companies from other countries in the European Union the opportunity to put in a tender. Under the 2014...

Seanad: Public Authorities and Utility Undertakings (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2019: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: Yes, I am a great interpreter. In the Netherlands, 73% of contracts were awarded to the lowest bidder. We still have a situation where the State is getting the best price but is also getting good quality, and that is very important for the taxpayer. Senator Kieran O'Donnell spoke about taxpayers but we all pay tax. Even the most penurious old age pensioner has to pay tax because he or she...

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: Fingal County Council does.

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: Why build there then?

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: I am sharing time with Senator Humphreys.

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

David Norris: I will share at least two minutes but I may not take the full six minutes.