Results 17,801-17,820 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: ——he makes it accessible to me. Senator Mansergh probably said this with a touch of irony and a little soupçon of wit——

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: That is a fair point but I want to take up the Senator on one phrase. He spoke about Senator Ross's Sunday addresses to the nation from the pulpit of——

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: The Senator should not be such a nitpicker. I am waiting for the Chair to say "Senator Norris without interruption."

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: When the good Senator drew a contrast between the public addresses and the privacy of the Seanad, I thought that was a very interesting thought. I must agree with great reluctance that nothing which happens here at this hour will be reflected and this debate should be taken seriously and reflected in the media. I support the motion. However, I have concerns about the term "prudent" when...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: Why did we not have the gumption to exploit these opportunities ourselves? Affordable housing was vaunted by the Government. It sold out and let property builders and speculators weasel their way around it. It contributes to house inflation which is significant. It is a terrible situation that so few young people are able to buy a house. The Minister of State knows this is true because we...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: They always state, "It is historical." However, it exists and it is a lousy contract. Now we must buy it out. In terms of prudent stewardship, the Government is skating on very thin ice. Senator Quinn, as a businessman, isolated an important matter in terms of competitiveness. The strength of our economy depends on maintaining competitive status in the world. We have the advantage of a...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: Of what am I an ornament?

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: Senator Mansergh is so kind but I am afraid I sense a little touch of irony. This is an important subject. The House is in debt to Senator Quinn for having raised it because he signals a warning that our present remarkable position may not last if we are not prudent and do not ensure we do not price ourselves out of the market. It is a competitive world. Competition comes not from the...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: Now he has nurse Leyden tending him so I am sure his wounds will be well treated.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: Senator Leyden's party picked up a lot more than the pieces along the way.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: That is party spite. Shame.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: Ordinary sensible people in this country will be revolted by this. I ask for a debate on charities, particularly in the light of an all-party recommendation to the Minister for Finance, which will be discussed by the Fianna Fáil Party, to introduce legislation to re-direct credit card duty away from the Exchequer to charities. It would be a good and efficient way to support charities. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: He has not done his research.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: It only looked like it.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: I ask for a debate on the Corrib gas field and the Shell to Sea campaign. On more than one occasion, I praised the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, for his sterling qualities of decency and political courage. However, he did not show them last week in the Dáil. As parliamentarians, we are entitled to an explanation of the Government by smear...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: The Cathaoirleach is kind. Part of any debate should examine the guardianship of resources by a Government which landed us in a series of lousy contracts. Not only did it hand away our resources to Shell Oil for some inexplicable reason, but we also have the M50, the link bridge which will be bought back for hundreds of millions of euro and PPARS. Something is rotten and it ought to be...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

David Norris: In that case, I support Senator O'Toole's point on Irish. It is ridiculous and I am prepared to be far more blunt that he is. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, is single-minded. His old grandfather made Irish hated through this land by its compulsory nature and the Minister now hammers the last nail in the coffin. If someone in distress telephones a...

Seanad: Homelessness: Motion (15 Nov 2006)

David Norris: I wish to share my time with Senators Quinn and Henry.

Seanad: Homelessness: Motion (15 Nov 2006)

David Norris: This is an important debate. I am sorry to see that once again the Government has introduced an amendment. We are all on the same side on this issue and it is unnecessary for this sort of amendment. All the amendment has done is remove some references from the motion and added more, mostly praise of the Government, but it is basically clear we are moving in the same direction. I am...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

David Norris: Hear, hear.