Results 16,861-16,880 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I support Senator Harris's point. It is obvious, and I have said it many times, we should play to our strengths. It is nonsense to say our hands are tied by the CPP. The CPP is supposed to represent the views of the elected Members. On this issue it clearly does not. When Senator Harris spoke a murmur of agreement passed across the Chamber so let us have some action. Last session I...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Let us have a debate on Cuba——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: That was the general drift of my remarks. I noted that Senator Coffey seconded Senator Bacik's motion but in case that was not in order I am happy to do it. Like the call for an extension of the Order of Business and a recognition of its signal importance, there was agreement throughout the House by members of different parties that this is an important matter and I am happy to second it.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: If that happens I will call a vote every day on the Order of Business. It is nonsense to say our hands are tied by the CPP. Let us get at the CPP and untie them. It is an abuse of democracy and I will not stand for it.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: No, the Cathaoirleach cannot.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: The metro.

Seanad: Suicide Prevention Strategy: Statements. (24 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I seek to share time with Senator Pearse Doherty. I welcome the Minister of State and the initiative of taking these statements but I hope the matter goes further because this is a serious problem. I also welcome the fact that we have progressed from a time when we thought there was no suicide in Ireland. The subject was covered up and we used to cock a snook, so to speak, at Sweden and...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I also welcome the fact that Gerry Adams has condemned the outrage that took place and indicated that members of the nationalist community should give evidence to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. I strongly agree with Senator Harris that this awful, brutal incident took place within the context of Republicanism, about which there is no doubt. The chilling words, "Now you know who is...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

David Norris: To hear a young historian say the mistake was that they did not finish them off is repulsive in the extreme. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. The ethos that operated in 1921 in Offaly is the same ethos that has operated in the Border counties, and it must be wiped out. However, I do not share Senator Harris's optimism about the success of the Italian police with the Mafia. It has...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

David Norris: —— and let them bleed to death, why do we describe them as aggressive? Let us have a bit of reality. I agree that the episode should be looked at in the context of the Border and I listened to what Senator O'Toole said about passports. We already have a passport situation. The real Government of Ireland — I speak of Michael O'Leary and Ryanair — makes us produce our passports at...

Seanad: Suicide Prevention Strategy: Statements. (24 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I call for a debate on the role of the Seanad. We are supposed to be a reflective, revising and reforming House, but we increasingly encounter inroads into our speaking time. It is important, for example, to review the format of the Order of Business. It is the most relevant and most widely covered aspect of our business, yet we wish to reduce the time allowed for it. I succeeded in...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I do not at all mean to impugn the Cathaoirleach, either his role or the manner in which he carries it out. However, it is nonsense to restrict the Order of Business in the way it is being restricted. I accept that the Cathaoirleach is simply obeying the rules of the House. However, it is something we should review.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

David Norris: That is my point. However, the Committee on Procedure and Privileges is capable of opening its little mind on this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

David Norris: No. 4 on today's Order Paper is the Defamation Bill 2006, which is listed for Committee Stage. However, two thirds of Members are newly elected to this Seanad and thus have had no opportunity to contribute at the most important level of the debate on this Bill. That is not democracy. This contentious Bill should be reintroduced on Second Stage. We are all aware that the Privacy Bill 2006,...

Seanad: Serious Crime: Motion (17 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Serious Crime: Motion (17 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I thank my colleagues for allowing me the opportunity to contribute. I welcome the Minister. I refer to Senator Quinn's comment on the question of arming the Garda. The Minister referred to Katherine O'Toole, a most distinguished woman. I listened to her on radio the other day and she came across as extremely clear and cool and as a very practical woman. She did not want the Garda to be...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy: Statements (17 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. We are former colleagues who served together on the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Minister of State and I were together at a debate in Trinity College a week or so ago. It was greatly appreciated that he had taken the trouble to come there and talk about the difficult problem of drugs to an audience of young students. He had to leave...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I recognise that time is short but when I came into this House there were no such restrictions on speaking time and such restrictions weaken the democratic nature of our Parliament. This is a great mistake and time allowed should be extended. These issues of a guillotine on speaking time during the passage of Bills is not a good practice——