Explusion of Senator David Norris from Seanad Eireann during Report Stage of the Trinity College Bill 18th April 2000

Mr. Norris: Will the Cathaoirleach tell me if
the House has a quorum?
An Cathaoirleach: Is the Senator calling a
quorum?
Mr. Norris: Yes, I am.
Notice taken that 12 Members were not present;
House counted and 12 Members being present,
An Cathaoirleach: As we have a quorum, I ask
Senator Dardis to continue with his reply.
Mr. Dardis: I am about to conclude because
there is not much point in——
Mr. Norris: I propose that the House take a
sos. It is extremely important we take this action
and it would be supported in a vote. We must not
force the University of Dublin, Trinity College,
to withdraw this Bill.
An Cathaoirleach: We are in the middle of
Senator Dardis’s reply on Report Stage.
Mr. Norris: I propose a sos and I am sure the
Leader will agree.
An Cathaoirleach: It is a matter for the Leader
of the House or for the Cathaoirleach to propose
a sos.
Mr. Norris: Perhaps the Cathaoirleach could
propose a sos. This is a serious matter and we
must ask that the House adjourn on this matter.
It is completely undemocratic——
An Cathaoirleach: Senator Norris must resume
his seat.
Mr. Norris: I am afraid I cannot do so. I ask
that the House be adjourned on this matter——
An Cathaoirleach: Senator Norris, please.
Mr. Norris: ——and I have the full support of
the University of Dublin in this.
An Cathaoirleach: Senator Norris is speaking
in a disorderly manner.
Mr. Norris: It is wrong that it should be rail-roaded
in this manner——
An Cathaoirleach: Senator Norris should
resume his seat.
Mr. Norris: ——on such a substantial issue of
academic freedom and intellectual integrity. On
that I am prepared to demand a sos.
An Cathaoirleach: Senator Norris, I am on my
feet and I ask you to resume your seat.
Mr. Norris: Will the Leader oblige me with a
reply to my request for a sos?
An Cathaoirleach: Senator Norris, I ask you for
the last time to resume your seat.
Mr. Norris: Perhaps Senator Dardis would also
agree to one. After all, this is my employer.
An Cathaoirleach: If Senator Norris will not
resume his seat, I must ask him to leave the
House.
Mr. Norris: I represent the University of Dub-lin
and it is most important to leave this matter
which is why I ask for a sos.
An Cathaoirleach: I ask Senator Norris to leave
the House.
Mr. Norris: I ask that the House be adjourned.
An Cathaoirleach: Senator Norris is being
disorderly.
Mr. Norris: I mean no disrespect to the
Cathaoirleach but this is an important matter——
An Cathaoirleach: Since you have persisted in
this disorderly manner, I must ask the Leader of
House to name Senator Norris.
Mr. Norris: ——which concerns the fate of the
university. If this Bill is voted through in the
amended form——
Mr. Cassidy: I move: ‘‘That Senator Norris be
suspended from the service of the House.’’
Mr. Norris: ——the university will have to
withdraw the original Bill.


Suspension of Member.
An Cathaoirleach: The question is: ‘‘That
Senator Norris be suspended from the service of
the House.’’
An Cathaoirleach: I now ask Senator Norris to
withdraw from the House.
Senator Norris withdrew from the Chamber.