David Norris

David Norris (born July 1, 1944) is an Irish scholar, independent Senator and civil rights activist.

Quotes

 * I believe that at some stage some citizen across Europe will drop a match on the floor and the whole bloody thing will go up, and it cannot come soon enough as far as I am concerned.
 * 24 April 2013


 * If I were a woman I would not be reassured by being told the legislators are apparently not concerned with the health of a woman. They should be.
 * 1 May 2013


 * The reason for the lack of business in this House is perfectly clear and it is not the responsibility of this House to deal with the matter. The Taoiseach and the cabal that runs Fine Gael have decided that they will take over the role previously held by Fianna Fáil as the slightly constitutional party. They have decided to destroy the Seanad by refusing to refer legislation to it.
 * 14 May 2013


 * It does not say much for a person's morality if he is prepared to sacrifice what he believes in for a job.
 * 28 May 2013


 * Two charming young women approached me and lobbied me about this matter because they both have Down's syndrome children with a reasonably high IQ.
 * 29 May 2013


 * The Senator is a drug dealer.
 * 27 June 2013


 * Barack Obama has been a grave disappointment to many of us, particularly with the increase in the number of drone strikes. His Administration is now strangling any country that would dare to stand up to the might of imperial America. Ireland should be an example of a small country that stands up against this international bullying. It has already got Bradley Manning, a person I salute, from inside the army. We need more of these people to tell the truth. Meanwhile Mr. Obama is off on this vulgar deathbed tourism. The one time I agreed with Mrs. Winnie Mandela was when she condemned Jacob Zuma for having his photograph taken with the poor unfortunate Nelson Mandela who was a complete zombie in the photograph and did not have a clue who it was who was molesting him by touching his hand and this horrid stuff. Let us, please, have a little [interrupted] I am asking him to appeal to the Government to offer sanctuary to Mr. Snowden. Even though this is a small country in economic difficulty, we should affirm to the world that we stand for openness, accountability, truth, honesty, decency and integrity, all of which Mr. Snowden represents.
 * 2 July 2013


 * On a point of order, I thought I was in Seanad Éireann, but it appears I have inadvertently wandered into a meeting of Donegal County Council.
 * 4 July 2013


 * The Minister of State should stop saying "with respect". He and his Government have no respect at all for this House.
 * At Brian Hayes on 4 July 2013


 * Will he listen to the voice of the people, this wonderful democrat, this absolute democrat who would not recognise democracy if it came up and puked in his face?
 * At Endy Kenny on 27 June 2013