Results 15,641-15,660 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Or even on all cluster bombs. We are exempting such bombs.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I salute the Irish delegation involved in the negotiations at Croke Park in securing acceptance of the additional provision in regard to what may be dropped from aircraft. I recall the event; it was a good day. Perhaps, the Minister of State will give us some further information — I completely understand if he does not have this...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Is that all?

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: The use of fleshettes, tiny particles dropped from aircraft, by the Israelis and others had a damaging effect on people. The Minister of State is saying chaff is made up only of material to prevent radar detection.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: That is fine. I accept the Minister's word and I feel reassured on that point. In regard to the use of the phrase "unacceptable level of harm", I do not believe there is any level of harm or damage that is acceptable. I welcome the fact that the level of acceptability is dropping. I recall a Tory Minister who when dealing with Northern Ireland got into terrible trouble for saying that we...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I beg the Minister's pardon; I do not wish to put words in his mouth.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: The Bill provides for a ban on a significant number of munitions that could be legitimately described as cluster munitions but it continues to permit the use of some that are capable of being legitimately described as cluster munitions. A bunch of nine is a cluster.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I would like to take up one of the points that was made by my colleagues, Senators O'Toole and Walsh, about FÁS. It would be good to have a debate on this issue. My colleagues, particularly Senator Ross, have called for this for some time and I add my voice to theirs in seeking that. There is a significant and legitimate role for investigative journalism. It can often do things that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I would like to know when we can have such a debate. It is urgent that we should have it and I will tell the House why. A number of errors have been spread and when mud starts flying it can stick to people who do not deserve it. Senator Boyle behaved in a very dignified way when he was asked on radio, inaccurately, to defend a statement from the Green Party supporting Mr. Molloy. No...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: It is important that we get these things right.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: We should have a debate on the specific issue of the space programme. Other cheap shots were made about spacers, Disneyland and the like, but that is rubbish. One of the problems with this country is that we are not at the forefront of science. One of the initiatives Mr. Molloy was trying to progress was to push Ireland forward in that area at Cape Canaveral. We have been involved in...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I suggest that Members read the article by Mr. John Walsh in the Irish Independent about the visit there, the significance and importance of it and the fact that he believes that a good job was done. I will end with this point.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I will come down very much to earth. What have the consequences of this been? Let us honestly face them. The consequences have been that the work of the Committee of Public Accounts has been interrupted. Mr. Molloy will not now appear before it and he cannot now be questioned. It is not a question of €400 for nail varnish and a few hairdos, he will get from the State straight away...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: This is a matter of being adept at timing.

Seanad: Council Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism: Motion (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, lines 20 to 23, to delete subsection (2). This amendment proposes to put a specific date on the Bill as there is a wide measure of ministerial discretion as to its commencement. I accept the good intentions of the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Power. The Government has supported the Bill and I do not propose to waste...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Most of us do not have any hair left.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.