Results 18,361-18,380 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

David Norris: I support Senator Ó Murchú's suggestion that the original copy of the national anthem be purchased. It would also be good if, to celebrate 1916, we put it to one side and commissioned somebody such as Seamus Heaney to write an anthem that would be less revoltingly bloodthirsty. It would be more appropriate for the 21st century. While it is a very important historic document, we have moved...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: I am grateful to my colleague, Senator Henry, for making some of her time available to me. Like her, I am not a deep sea fisher person. One of the benefits of the Seanad is that we can listen to speakers. During one of the first debates to which I listened here, former Senator Tom Fitzgerald from Dingle spoke very effectively and knowledgeably about the issue, and just now, we listened to...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: The taxpayers.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: I welcome the fact that there will be statements on the Dublin riots today. Unfortunately, I will not be able to take part in these but I was caught up in the riot which reminds one how close to the surface unsophisticated emotions are, even in this capital city. It also calls into question the wisdom of holding a militaristic sabre-rattling parade on Easter Sunday. A much better...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: Our committee on rendition flights through Shannon Airport has been disestablished by our colleagues on the Government side on the basis there was nothing to examine.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: Might I turn their attention to today's Irish Independent, page 9, and the headline "Watchdog Highlights our Role in CIA Abductions". Our supporting role has been commented on. The watchdog examines one case which I instanced here, namely, that of Abu Omar who was illegally transferred to Egypt——

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: The rabble are making so much noise I cannot hear the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: It is quite bad actually.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: Can we not have a debate on Shannon Airport?

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: I understand we cannot have one on the Order of Business but I am asking for one because it is important that we discuss this issue. Debate was closed down by certain persons on the Government side. Let us have it in the House, if we cannot have it in the committee because the case I mentioned has been cited in the report, as has Ireland's responsibility, when it states: "It gives a clear...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: ——it is still an allegation knowing it is a proven fact. It is time the Department of Foreign Affairs stopped lying about this.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: My friends on the Government side will be delighted with the picture taken in Shannon of the warmonger Bush, with his cannon fodder around him, the poor unfortunate beasts.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

David Norris: I support Senator Brian Hayes's call for a debate on tuberculosis. This is a very important matter. It was eradicated by a team led by the late Noel Browne but is coming back. There were protests in this House when we closed down the various sanatoria, warning that this was dangerous. There is also an epidemic of spitting all over the city of Dublin. We need a new campaign. When I was small...

Seanad: Nitrates Directive: Motion. (1 Mar 2006)

David Norris: I am grateful to my friend and colleague, Senator Quinn, for allowing me time to take part in this important debate. I agree with him that the Minister has, to some extent, come out with his hands up with regard to the amount of chemicals being used. This is a serious problem. Some weeks ago, I heard representatives from Teagasc partaking in a radio discussion. They seemed to be in some...

Seanad: Nitrates Directive: Motion. (1 Mar 2006)

David Norris: The facts and figures are there. One does not have to be a scientist to appreciate the reality of the situation. Farmers also say that we hardly need a water pollution policy because everything is fine. Others, however, have been saying there is a serious problem in this regard for many years. Senator Henry was one of the first to raise this issue. Some 30% of our rivers are either moderately...

Seanad: Nitrates Directive: Motion. (1 Mar 2006)

David Norris: This information is from Teagasc. Approximately half the agricultural land in Ireland is saturated with phosphorus, with dangerous amounts running off and polluting rivers or remaining in the soil. Only 25% of the phosphorus that is applied is taken up by plants for nourishment, while three quarters of it is useless to the farmer and builds up in the soil where it does environmental damage as...

Seanad: Nitrates Directive: Motion. (1 Mar 2006)

David Norris: On the other hand, the Minister might be tempted to let the oleaginous content of the ministerial position overwhelm him and to just slither over the edge into an easy solution. Let us have no more Irish solutions to Irish problems. We must look after the health and safety of the public by accepting and implementing the scientific evidence. Much of the nitrate applied to the soil seems to be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

David Norris: And less slurry.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

David Norris: Hear, hear.