Results 16,781-16,800 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2007)

David Norris: Our inquiry was set up, but it was crippled and destroyed at the instigation of the Government. Let us have the matter out in the open and let us use our facilities to bring Dr. Manning before the House. I am proud that Trinity College is one of the 60 top universities in the world and I congratulate Dublin City University on getting into the top 200 for the first time. As an almost brand...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2007)

David Norris: It is only dawning on me.

Seanad: Energy Security and Climate Change: Motion (7 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I thank my colleagues for sharing time and welcome the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to the House. It is good for the Irish people and the House that the Green Party has entered Government, although I am not certain it is good for the party. I believe the party will act on our behalf while in Government. The optimism of the Minister is also...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I join with Senator Fitzgerald and others who commented on the tragic situation of the women who attended Portlaoise hospital. I do not know at what rate such machinery goes out of date or whether 15 years is excessive, but it is intolerable that we might have equipment that does not function properly because it is dirty. There is a serious issue of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Nov 2007)

David Norris: Can we have a debate on rendition, perhaps when the Irish Human Rights Commission issues its report on that subject? I understand the report will be very damaging. The head of the commission, former Senator Maurice Manning, is a pretty restrained person with a distinguished record in this House. He indicated that the Government had been trying to interfere with this report and that if it...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Nov 2007)

David Norris: She carried through this extraordinarily difficult task — being attacked sometimes from both sides simultaneously — with grace, dignity and professionalism. I hope the person who succeeds her will exhibit the same qualities.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Nov 2007)

David Norris: This is a new Seanad.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear. Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I agree with Senator Fitzgerald that the question of child care is an urgent matter. We have debated it in the House previously. It is especially important in the light of the very considerable costs incurred by parents allied to the fact that we now know that quite a number of crèches are completely unsuitable and do not appear to be good value for money. I disagree slightly with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: It is nice to see that on this side of the House, there is a degree of harmony between the two principal parties. Senator McCarthy's constituency is the same as that of Senator Fitzgerald, so he must suck up to councillors——

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: We must also address another subject that has been raised in this House previously, namely, the extraordinary impact of alcohol consumption on society. Figures were released today which indicate that Ireland is nearly top of the table in terms of alcohol consumption which has increased alarmingly, particularly among young people. The principal point I wish to raise is the question of what...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I hold up a heavy weight of five folders each with individual sheets and each sheet containing an agonised plea to me about certain aspects of this Bill, especially about Irish citizens in relationships with non-EU citizens. I call on the Government to get off its backside and do something about it. I am not prepared to wait. Will the Leader give Government time before Christmas to take the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: How very generous of Senator Hanafin.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: Nobody cares what Senator Hanafin calls it.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I am tired of being insulted in this House and having the tissue of religion used hypocritically to put me in a second class place and I am not a second class citizen in this country and I will not be a second class citizen. That is rubbish from Senator Hanafin. On the few occasions he speaks it is to blackguard people like me.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Motion for Earlier Signature (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: No.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Motion for Earlier Signature (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: The Greens sat down for Ireland and gave up Woods's payments and uncivil partnerships.

Seanad: Citizenship Applications (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: The Minister of State is very welcome back to the House. This matter concerns a citizenship application, which is currently a troubled area, with 17,000 people in the queue awaiting citizenship. On average, every application takes about 30 months. That is a broad picture. Within this picture there are certain particular anomalies. We are told today that a function of politicians is to...

Seanad: Citizenship Applications (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I could list all the distinguished posts this man has held, the work he has done and the way in which we were proud to have him representing us at international level, but from a party and Government that is everlastingly caterwauling about family values, the family and all the rest of it, it is a bit thick that they should have no concept of the family as it affects this person.