Results 141-160 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

National Security Committee. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Arising from the Taoiseach's reply, does he not agree that the usual procedures associated with the landing of a civilian aircraft at Shannon Airport are not being fulfilled? The aircraft in question, which has been described in the international and local press——

National Security Committee. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Is the Taoiseach concerned that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has said he would be appalled if Irish facilities were used to service an aircraft that was used for facilitating breaches against the international convention on torture? The Minister for Defence has said he cannot give an answer one way or the other. Will the Taoiseach undertake to investigate the report that...

National Security Committee. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: It is not solely a matter of concern to the Irish press. Is the Taoiseach concerned about the reputation of the country internationally?

Middle East Peace Process. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 59: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the proposed withdrawal from Gaza announced by Israeli Prime Minister Sharon is the first step in a comprehensive set of initiatives within the context of the road map for peace or, as some have suggested, is an attempt to develop an alternative to the road map for peace; his further views on whether the recent...

Middle East Peace Process. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. May I ask him specifically if there is evidence that the issue of east Jerusalem is on the table for negotiation and resolution on the part of Israel? With reference to his remarks about the reduction in settlement in the West Bank, is he aware that the withdrawal from Gaza, if it included all settlers, would be 7,500 settlers, whereas in the...

Middle East Peace Process. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Regarding the decision of the International Court of Justice on the routing of the wall on Palestinian territory and the later decision by the Israeli Supreme Court that the incursion into Palestinian territory is excessive, is there any indication from the Israeli authorities that they will withdraw to the green line? I visited Palestine a few weeks ago. Is the Minister satisfied the...

Diplomatic Representation. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: We do not know that.

Emigrant Support Services. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 62: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has discussed or he has had discussions with his British counterparts on the possibility of providing Irish television services, free travel and other such benefits for senior citizen Irish immigrants when they return to visit Ireland and for emigrant communities living outside this country, predominantly in the United...

Emigrant Support Services. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs for his reply. Some months ago Deputy Stagg and representatives from the Labour Party visited Irish emigrant communities in Britain. Some weeks ago, I also visited them with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. A number of issues referred to by the Minister were raised with us. Between 1955 and 1960, approximately 250,000 people left Ireland for...

Emigrant Support Services. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: In regard to the television component of my question, what I suggested was a commissioning structure rather than a rebroadcasting or relay structure. Will the Minister ask the Irish abroad unit to consider that? The difference is that if one purchases in programmes, one avoids the difficulties in regard to RTE's purchase of programmes in competition with others. The second issue is that there...

Nuclear Weapons Programme. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Is it the Minister's understanding that the non-proliferation agreement involves the reduction in nuclear capacity of those with existing nuclear capacity as well as the prohibition of the extension of nuclear capacity to countries such as the DPRK? I agree with the Minister that such developments could be seriously destabilising to the region. How does the six-nation approach in the case of...

Nuclear Weapons Programme. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Does the Minister agree with my interpretation of the non-proliferation agreement that it was always the intention that there would be a reduction in existing nuclear capacity?

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 69: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his position on the use of development funds for advocacy and empowerment among the poor of the developing world; the basis for such remarks as he has made that called such practice into question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7692/05]

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 115: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government proposes to support the position taken by Senator Edward Kennedy, whereby the senator proposed that the 292 Montserratians to be expelled from the United States of America following the Department of Homeland Security's decision to revoke the temporary protected status of these persons should be granted permanent...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (22 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 464: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the recent raids in Cork, Kerry, Westmeath, Louth, Meath, and Dublin in relation to criminal activities by subversive organisations; if these raids are linked to investigations into the Northern Bank robbery; the consequences these raids may have for the peace process; and if he will make a statement...

Accident and Emergency Services. (23 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 8: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the situation in accident and emergency units in view of the decision of the Health and Safety Authority to order a safety inspection of all such units; the steps being taken to ensure that such units comply with relevant safety requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9406/05]

Accident and Emergency Services. (23 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 22: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the measures implemented to date in regard to the package of measures announced in the Estimates for 2005 to improve accident and emergency services; the timetable for the implementation of each other planned measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9405/05]

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 7: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the decision by the European Commission to send letters to those member states which have air service agreements with the United States; the action he will take following the European Commission's statement that Ireland's agreement with the United States in this regard is a flagrant breach of European law; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (24 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 30: To ask the Minister for Transport the situation with regard to the proposed break-up of Aer Rianta; if a decision has been made on the future of Aer Rianta assets, such as the Great Southern Hotel Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9688/05]

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (24 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 102: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position on the EU's development policy given that this policy creates a situation whereby allocation criteria only applies after an overall amount is decided for a given region; the difficulty that this policy in its present guise will not be effective in responding to the need to potentially re-examine the EU's policy; and if he will...