Results 18,221-18,240 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (2 Jun 2006)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 8: In page 3, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following subsection: "(10) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section— (a) where a person who has attained the age of 15 years engages or attempts to engage in a sexual act with another person who has attained that age and the difference between the ages of those persons is not greater than 2 years, neither...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (2 Jun 2006)

David Norris: The recommendations of the Law Reform Commission should be listened to. There will be further attempts at clarification and definition through the courts process. I am supported in this view by an interesting article by Carol Coulter in today's edition of The Irish Times in which she said difficulties could also arise when the courts come to define further a person in authority. She wonders...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (2 Jun 2006)

David Norris: It would not have killed those in the Dáil to have been asked to wait around for a couple of hours in order to pass the amendments. It is perfectly clear that the contribution of this House is not taken seriously by the Government. I deplore that. Our tabling of amendments is largely redundant, apart from the exercise of making the case for what may well be a re-examination of this...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (2 Jun 2006)

David Norris: Although I have not tabled an amendment I wish to raise a point that should be borne in mind. The Minister explained that a sexual act meant an act consisting of sexual intercourse or buggery between persons who are not married to each other. He explained that it was crucial people could not have their married life interfered with and that it was possible for people younger than the age of...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2006)

David Norris: I welcome the Leader's indication that she will be flexible and will review the time allowed for the debate. It is important that every Member who wants to make a contribution on the amendments can do so. The amendments should be taken. Senator Hayes made a good point in highlighting that less than a third of the amendments tabled in the Dáil were taken — they were not even heard. It is...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2006)

David Norris: To add to what Senator Cummins said, on Second Stage I cited a hypothetical case which is real in prospect, namely, that a 16 year old girl could seduce a 14 year old boy and if the boy complained and his parents went to the police the girl might get off scot free while he went to jail. That is obviously a nonsense and is the kind of area in which this legislation needs to be scrutinised.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2006)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (2 Jun 2006)

David Norris: I wish to share my time with Senator Ross. I am glad the Minister is in the House. We are lucky to have a skilled and brilliant lawyer in the position of Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform because he can give us a very clear insight, from his experience as a lawyer, into these matters. Some of the comment in the media about the Minister has been extremely unfair. I regret that his...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (2 Jun 2006)

David Norris: Splendid. I congratulate the Minister and the team involved in that case. This is a very good day. I am not a vengeful person but I am glad to hear the good news that this man will pay for his crimes, for crimes they were and of a most loathsome nature. I brought a case to the attention of the Iranian ambassador recently, which concerned two youths, one aged 16 and the other 17, who were...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2006)

David Norris: I agree with Senator Brian Hayes. The Leader has done the House a valuable service by bringing us back. It shows that at moments of crisis in the national life the Oireachtas can respond. The atmosphere is very fraught. People are naturally outraged but I anticipate that, as usual, calmness and proper discussion will prevail in this House. While I do not wish to detract from the seriousness...

Seanad: Supreme Court Judgment on Statutory Rape: Statements. (31 May 2006)

David Norris: I too am glad the Minister has come in here this evening. It is important that he has done so. He came in to confront the issues forthrightly and by and large he did that, although there are some areas with which I am not satisfied. The Minister was very angry. He used the phrase "incandescent with rage" but as he spoke I felt he was incandescent with rage. The country feels the same way...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

David Norris: He did not say that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

David Norris: I support my colleagues who have called for an urgent debate on the implications of last week's Supreme Court decision and yesterday's decision in the Mr. A case. The man involved has admitted and acknowledged that he fed drink to a 12 year old girl before violating her. The State has failed to protect the young girl in question, who has said she is in fear as a result of the release of this...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

David Norris: I wonder whether the members of the Government read the reports of the Law Reform Commission. If so, do they act on them? They seem to do so in a pathetically small number of cases. If what I read in the newspapers is correct, it seems, with the greatest respect to the Supreme Court, that there is a little degree of timidity in that court. It could have struck down one section of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

David Norris: I do not think the media should engage in the kind of commentary I heard this morning, when a responsible broadcaster read what was described as a very important comment, which was "we are being governed by a crowd of eejits in Leinster House". That is not responsible commentary, in my opinion. We should examine the issues in a calm manner, not in the interests of political advantage but in...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements. (24 May 2006)

David Norris: I may not be in the House but will read the reply of the Minister of State with interest. I am glad to hear the positive drift of her comments. Safety belts must be worn once they are fitted but that requirement is absurd when some of them are not fitted. We are making it mandatory where they are fitted but we not living up to our obligation to have them fitted. The Minister says they will be...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

David Norris: Unlike my colleagues I have not received any prepared scripts, so I will have to do a free-range job on this matter.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

David Norris: I welcome most of the timely provisions in the Bill. I have raised as a humanitarian matter the plight of migrant workers. I remember seeing two unfortunate young Turkish lads in floods of tears on Butt Bridge. They had come to Ireland on the understanding they had jobs and work permits. When they arrived, they discovered they were defrauded and viciously exploited by Irish employers. Without...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

David Norris: I am glad to hear that, perhaps my information is out of date. I welcome that and I am happy to be corrected.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

David Norris: That is the sort of information I welcome because my information is anecdotal and if the situation has improved, I welcome it. Senator Leyden referred to the situation in Kenya. It is a country that must be beautiful in certain areas but the economic situation is horrendous. Many people want to leave and do not want to return. One of the problems arising from this is sophisticated and...