Results 19,341-19,360 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2004)

David Norris: I would like clarification from the Leader on why the House met at 2 p.m. today. I ask that question given the tradition of this House to meet at fairly regular times which, in turn, makes it so much easier to plan one's diary long term. Previously, the House has met at 10.30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. Today, the House met at 2 p.m., a half hour earlier than usual. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2004)

David Norris: I know; I never said I was.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2004)

David Norris: With regard to the McCabe controversy, excellently ventilated in the House, over the past week a series of radio programmes was aired and polls were conducted. Over 80% of the people disagree with the release because this was plainly a criminal enterprise. At the time, the IRA and Sinn Féin said these criminals were not theirs, they did not know them and they disowned them. They did so...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2004)

David Norris: I said last week that I was afraid Paisley might talk himself out of the deal. It now looks as if he has done so.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2004)

David Norris: There will be a debate. Thank you, a Chathaoirligh. I am glad you have decided that. That is excellent news. On your word I will keep——

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2004)

David Norris: There could be a discussion. I intend to continue pursuing the issue of the Gulfstream jet landing at Shannon Airport. I am grateful to the House, particularly the Leader, for co-operation and help on this matter. I will also raise it at the Joint Committee on Transport and the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. The more I look at it, the more I am convinced there is an arguable case that...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 7: In page 7, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: "(iv) if the person was born to parents one of whom is declared a refugee after the date of birth of that person, and the parent is thereby entitled to reside in the State without any restriction on his or her period of residence (including in accordance with a permission granted under section 4 of the Act of...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

David Norris: The Minister has been very helpful. It was useful that he drew our attention to the capacity of parents to engage in the process of naturalisation of their children after they have been adjudged to have refugee status or to become Irish citizens. The Minister said I asked that the period during which the parent or parents had been in Ireland while their refugee status was being determined...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2004)

David Norris: He kind of grunted.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

David Norris: I welcome the flexible attitude displayed by the Minister on Committee Stage. It seemed to me that he was showing good will towards many of the points that were raised in the House on that occasion. I support these amendments. Amendment No. 1 is very important because if applicants do not have access to some clear understanding of the guidelines and criteria that are being applied, it places...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

David Norris: The Minister, as is usual, is admirably clear. I will not press him on the final amendment in the name of Senator Cummins. The Senator can do that himself. The Minister has made some very interesting points. Some of the criteria for granting leave to remain in Ireland are contained in legislation but they are spread in different places. I welcome what the Minister said about publication of...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

David Norris: Definitely.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

David Norris: The Minister's reply illustrates the value of this process. It was illuminating and helpful for Members on all sides to confront the practical difficulties and realities of the system which the Minister and his officials have to operate. I do not envy him the responsibility, I would not like to have to make the decisions. I have known the Minister and his officials to make humane judgments in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2004)

David Norris: One must always listen with respect to what Senator Mansergh says on these matters because he has been close to the events. If he says there has been contact with the family of Detective Garda McCabe, one has to put that into the balance. However, I clearly heard the widow of Detective Garda McCabe on the wireless yesterday saying she had received no contact. Who does one believe? If a woman...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2004)

David Norris: That is the Senator's view and he is entitled to express it. However, she should have been given an honour by the State for being one of the few who was prepared to stand up to the militaristic bullying of the United States.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2004)

David Norris: Perhaps the Leader would ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to request from the United States and British Governments a statement on the humanitarian situation in Falluja. Some 210,000 refugees outside Falluja are not provided for. The International Red Cross has said that the treatment there is in contempt of human rights yet not a squeak is emerging because the news media have been...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

David Norris: It is obvious it is time we had a reasoned debate on Northern Ireland. One always listens with respect to what Senator Mansergh has to say and he has played a significant role in these events. I was astonished to hear him suggest the Executive could overrule without disquiet a decision of the Supreme Court. That seems to be a very strange doctrine.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

David Norris: It is perfectly clear they were not supposed to be operating as members of the Provisional IRA when they committed this bank heist — that is what it was — and those who did it were thugs, robbers, murderers and gangsters. If one accepts that membership of the IRA exonerates people of this crime, of what else does it exonerate them? Is it from activities that are not part of this...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

David Norris: There is an ominous silence out of Falluja. Reporters are excluded. We have heard almost nothing for a week and we are entitled to know what is going on——

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

David Norris: ——particularly in light of the statement by the International Red Cross — I wonder how the Taoiseach feels about this — that all sides, including the US and the United Kingdom, were behaving with complete contempt for human rights.