Results 18,921-18,940 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: As Senator Fitzgerald remarked, we teased out the principle underpinning this part of the legislation earlier so I will not exasperate my colleagues or the Minister further. I support the amendment for the reasons previously stated regarding the perception of independence but I understand the Minister's position on this issue.

Seanad: Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I support the amendment, which is also in my name. Senator Ulick Burke and I were both briefed by the local people in the Grangegorman area. It is important that we include the residents of the Grangegorman neighbourhood if the plan is to be representative, which is the Minister's intention. I was lobbied by people from this area. Being a practical politician — I am sure the Minister will...

Seanad: Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: To some extent I understand the Minister's reluctance to include too many people because boards and groups that expand too far can become unwieldy, which is inimical to democracy. However, in this case, only one person will represent the area. With regard to the strategic plan, in the 18th century there were regular rows between the citizens of Dublin and the University of Dublin, Trinity...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: That is bad management, not that I suggest it is the Leader's bad management. However, it is bad management of parliamentary time.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I admire the Leader's restraint.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I strongly object to that. My luncheon appointment was an important business affair and not a matter of my private arrangements. The Leader should withdraw that remark. It is extremely insulting to somebody who devotes his life to public work.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: Having to ask the Dublin Chamber of Commerce to agree to my personal diary would be completely inappropriate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: It is the other way round. The Order of Business interfered with my lunch.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: The Taoiseach is my constituency representative, and generally speaking I get on fairly well with him. However, Senator Brian Hayes's point is perfectly appropriate. If the Taoiseach is in charge of the Government of this country, his primary responsibility is to be inParliament to answer the difficult questions. He is not simply to be a glad-handler or official opener of everything. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: It is the other side of his very engaging human qualities. I believe all of us, including the Leader, would welcome some kind of consistency in the hours we meet although I know the difficulties she sometimes faces in arranging that. We are all involved in public life. Sometimes we are asked to commit ourselves to working lunches a week or even a month or two in advance. Then, if we meet at...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Morris Tribunal Reports: Motion. (15 Jun 2005)

David Norris: Bravo.

Seanad: Morris Tribunal Reports: Motion. (15 Jun 2005)

David Norris: Senator White should be encouraged.

Seanad: Morris Tribunal Reports: Motion. (15 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I would like to share time with Senator O'Meara and to allow her to speak first.

Seanad: Morris Tribunal Reports: Motion. (15 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I am glad to have the opportunity to take part in this debate. I had lunch yesterday with the former Commissioner, Mr. Pat Byrne. He reminded me that I had been invited some years ago to talk at an international convention on policing in Dublin Castle. I was invited in order to stir things up and he told me that I most certainly did. I woke them during the siesta slot because I spoke about...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I support Senator O'Meara. This is an important point. It is instructive, interesting and perhaps indicative that Senator Kett has found himself in large measure in agreement. Perhaps this indicates the Government may be prepared to look again at the issue. While it is useful that people can challenge on the basis that procedures were not fully followed, the contents of the assessment are the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I support Senator Finucane's call for screening for prostate cancer. I have it done every year as I have had a prostate problem for some time, which happens to most men over a certain age. The blood test is simple and is a good idea that should be done. The Senator also raised the matter of BreastCheck. I received a communication this morning from Age Action Ireland pointing out that, though...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I support the Government in this but we have an arbitrary, capricious and unchristian system here. Will the Government consider removing from the Constitution the provisions referring to Christianity, as it is plainly not prepared to act upon them? I have a great regard for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, but he suggested recently it was regrettable that we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I am. There are situations all over the country of people who have been here for five years and who are being thrown out. This is not what the Irish people want. The Leader knows that the decent people of Athlone rallied around a family being deported. A seven year old boy was left behind when his family was sent back to Romania. A man who converted from Islam to Christianity and who is...