Results 16,681-16,700 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

David Norris: Senator Alex White will learn eventually.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I listened from the Dáil Gallery to the speech of Mary Harney last night and it was a remarkable performance. I do not use the word "performance" in a scathing manner and I do not wish to suggest there was anything theatrical about it. It was a speech of passionate conviction and I respect this. I have ideological differences with her and I have made them plain in this House. What...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I was confirmed in my opinion by what I saw on Monday night of avariciousness and lack of integrity among councillors. I am amazed at the lickspittling of local authorities that continues because they are Senators' constituencies.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I accept the Cathaoirleach's direction. I acted with no disrespect and, in that regard, am astonished he did not rebuke a previous speaker who did precisely the same and who also referred to doctors by name. I should not have to remind the House of the tradition that people are not named when they are not here to defend themselves. When reforms are introduced, we will want to ensure we do...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

David Norris: It will comprise at least 250,000 electors and could be as many as 500,000. That would suit me and I will take on any little political squirt that the parties produce.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I have made up my mind. I certainly will run in the next election.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I very much respect the Chair and I have made that clear. I tried to raise on the Adjournment the case of a woman from Nigeria, whose name is made privy in the documents I supplied. In 2004 this woman arrived in the country at the age of 15 and she is now 19. She is being deported, even though she is half-way through a degree course and has her leaving certificate. She is unsupported and...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I ask in this case and in the case of the autistic boy who was sent back to Nigeria that the Irish embassy in Lagos be required to follow through and find out what happened to these people. It is not good enough that we throw them out of this country and land them on the streets. We may turn them to lives of prostitution but we do not give a damn once they have left this island.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

David Norris: The Taoiseach recently raised the possibility of an honours system, apparently quite seriously. This is an area which must be considered. If we are to do so, this House must address the difficulties of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997. A heraldry Bill was introduced in here in the last session by former Senator Brendan Ryan but it failed. I am advised the difficulties are...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

David Norris: It is a serious point because there is an inequity against a tiny number of Irish citizens. We are going to lose something of the magic of our life. We should consider the Irish titles. I say that because my kinsman, Denys FitzPatrick, died at the age of 105 three weeks ago, the last MacGiolla Phádraig of his line.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

David Norris: With the support of Senators I would do so.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I was not available.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

David Norris: The cruelty of it.

Seanad: Education Policy: Statements (22 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I thank Senator O'Toole for sharing his time because he is an expert in this area and would like to make a longer contribution. I am grateful to him. I also welcome the Minister. Since we started this morning on the Order of Business with an outburst of good news from all sections, let us look at some good news. In my case, I draw attention to the fact that my old university, Trinity...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Postal Services: Motion (21 Nov 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Postal Services: Motion (21 Nov 2007)

David Norris: When watching the start of the debate in my office, I found it to be unbelievably dreary with no passion to it. There was a little spark from Senator Martin Brady because he spoke of his experiences as a postman. Senator Quinn, to whom I am grateful for sharing his time, speaks with some authority on the matter as a former chairman of An Post. He spoke from the heart and said virtually what...

Seanad: Postal Services: Motion (21 Nov 2007)

David Norris: His post office was the hub of his local community in County Laois which it remains to this day. When debating hospitals and the need for centres of excellence, politically every Member will stick up for his or her little backyard. However, in the case of the rural post office such a demand is justified. While we worry about the flight from the land, if we leave no social organisation in...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I look forward to the debate that was called for yesterday. I have plenty of things to say on this and can mention many cases of bad planning supported by Official Ireland here. I wish to raise an educational matter. I am concerned at widespread reports that four so-called Protestant schools are engaged in legal action against the Department of Education and Science. I know we cannot...