Results 15,501-15,520 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: This is precisely the problem highlighted in the submission I made when I spoke first on this amendment. Those working in Respond, as a result of the discussion in the Dáil, were aware of the introduction of the clause. Virtually everything I said indicated their unhappiness with it. The Minister of State has not responded to their continuing unhappiness. He has responded very fairly to...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I understand section 89 permits a charity to make arrangements for payments from its resources for insurance and so on, which is a welcome advance. However, it does not really address several of the points I made and especially the feasibility of obtaining such insurance. I am not an expert on insurance and my colleague, Senator O'Toole, would be more closely acquainted with the matter. He...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Will it be the same Members voting?

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: This is disgraceful.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Well the Leader asked so I will tell him.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: We have been discussing sporting matters but Members on that side of the House are not very sporting.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: The Cathaoirleach has no difficulty in seeing speakers on that side when they indicate to speak on the Order of Business. That is arrant nonsense.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I wish to put on record that Senator Wilson did not attempt to intimidate the Chair. Other Members on the Government side of the House did. Senator Wilson behaved with impeccable courtesy in a very difficult circumstance and should be respected for it.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: The same is not true generally on the Government side of the House. In fairness to Senator Wilson it should be put on record that he behaved impeccably and professionally. There was a glitch but these things happen.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Half an hour, for God's sake. We are entitled to that.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Senator Bacik has anticipated much of what I was going to say and she has done so very effectively. I spoke at considerable length on this subject on Second Stage, as the Minister may or may not recall. I am very worried by this because it seems all of a piece with the Government's attitude towards human rights. As someone who has been in the House for a long time and has worked on the...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: ——and the misery of the Government benches. I really regard this as fundamental and should this not be included, it will be a disgrace and a very black day for this Government. It will be seen as all of a piece with the miserable, cynical attacks on the Combat Poverty Agency, the Equality Authority and the human rights commission. The human rights commission was established in direct...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: That does not rhyme.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: One must look at the organisations that will be excluded, such as the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Amnesty International. These bodies, while supportive of the Government in some instances, have been critical of it in the past. It appears there is an attempt to muzzle the voice of legitimate criticism. Among the organisations this applies to, section 3(10)(j) includes organisations...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: The Minister of State gives the impression that to include this would be to include a new body, idea or concept. I ask for clarification. The section, as proposed in the Bill, reads: (10) In this section "purpose that is of benefit to the community" includes— (a) the advancement of community welfare including the relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, or disability,...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I accept that but if the Acting Chairman checks the Official Report he will see that every time I spoke I introduced some new material. The Minister of State is plainly embarrassed by this. It is obvious from his uneasiness in giving his last few answers. It is obvious to me the Minister did not make this decision. It was made elsewhere or by other people. The Minister is attempting, by...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Was it the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform——

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Yes, any of those people. This House should be given the reasons for it and the advices given to the Minister of State, who is plainly troubled by it. On other far less significant amendments the Minister is prepared to give a commitment to the House that he will consider them again and take further advice. It is significant that he made no such offer to the House on this amendment. His...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Exactly.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: It is not clarified because——