Results 17,061-17,080 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Schools Funding (29 Mar 2007)

David Norris: This matter is about Drumnigh Montessori school, in the suburbs of Dublin. The school has been operating for the past 45 years. It has been extremely successful but the school is experiencing difficulties. It has two classes dealing with children aged three to six and one for children aged six to nine. The school has been in existence since 1962. It has occupied premises in various...

Seanad: Schools Funding (29 Mar 2007)

David Norris: I thank the Minister for the courtesy of his reply. In particular he teased out the issue and went directly to one of the points in which I am interested. Although it is too late for this year, perhaps the school might be able to get in on the next cycle. The Minister appeared to nod when I asked him to get his colleague involved and pass on the information. I hope he will do so. This...

Seanad: Schools Funding (29 Mar 2007)

David Norris: I was effusively thanking the Minister. In terms of my effusiveness I must finishby saying that the Minister used the word"bureaucratic". I have a note written down that it is a recital of bureaucratic and legalistic points. So it is, but perhaps he can get behind it in a meeting with the Minister. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Mar 2007)

David Norris: Perhaps it is the well known auctioneer and valuer Senator Ross.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2007)

David Norris: Did they have radio then?

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2007)

David Norris: I request that we discuss fishing either in this session or in the session after Easter because I see that the European Union is introducing a ban on the dumping of fish. Between 30% and 90% of the catch off the west coasts of Ireland and Scotland is dumped and this an appalling waste of resources, especially as our fish stocks are threatened. Despite the fact that I was knocked off the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2007)

David Norris: I beg the Cathaoirleach's pardon and I am sure he will find the next item entirely relevant. Although we are graced by the presence of the Acting Leader, Senator Dardis, today, it is a pity the Leader cannot be with us because she is a woman of international celebrity, as we learn from the property pages of The Irish Times.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2007)

David Norris: The Irish Times points out that while the United Nations has goodwill ambassadors, the Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, can eat his heart out because Athlone has Senator O'Rourke. Cleopatra may have ruled the Nile but the scintillating Senator is queen of the Shannon.

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear. Well said.

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: Through the Chair.

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: I thank all my colleagues who took part in this debate. It is a pity the Minister paid such a flying visit. I wish he had been here to listen to some of my comments and tried to answer them. He simply obfuscated. Questions were not answered, which was extremely disappointing. I contrast this with the refreshingly honest, though sadly short, speech of Senator Mansergh because he...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: Yes, but the interests came first. Senator Mansergh did not put the ideals first, which is very telling. That is a position. It is a very old-fashioned 19th-century position. In a world that is globalised, it is no longer relevant. It is the one thing that will get us into trouble. At least, that is my opinion. However, Senator Mansergh was honest and open and dealt with it. If, by...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: Fine but I am going to make a final point. We have recently seen this business of the Australian, David Hicks, confessing. Is it any surprise, since he spent five years under these conditions? I have his description of what happened. He had to lie on the floor with very few clothes, the air-conditioning is kept on full so he shivers all the time. He said to another detainee——

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: The Senator should shut up. He was laughing earlier on and distracting people.

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: Just listen to this. Hicks said to another detainee: "When you get out of here, please tell people my sanity is at risk".

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: He was attempting to commit suicide. Is it any wonder that he changed his mind?

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: I did not say the Senator was laughing at me.

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: I move: That Seanad Éireann calls on the Government to develop and implement an ethical foreign policy. I find it interesting that the Government has amended this motion in a manner that goes right to the nub of the issue. It is clear that in bypassing any mention of ethics, the Government acknowledges its guilt in this area and it is notable that there is no Minister from the Department of...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: I will use their titles but all the other language I have used when referring to them stands. Through all of this, the corruption of language is a significant and telling factor. In a revealing moment the Lady Macbeth of the Middle East, Condoleezza Rice, described the horrendous bloodbath that followed the Israeli assault upon Lebanon as "the birth pangs of a new democracy". As I...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.