Results 2,821-2,840 of 8,445 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: On a point of information-----
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: Excuse me. This is the point at which it arises.
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: A proposal was put to us------
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: ------about whether we would grant a period of suspension of the House and we said we would do so on the understanding that the time would be extended.
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: Much has not been discussed, such as the incredible powers relating to land and assets. Considerable powers are being given-----
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: -----to the Minister in this regard and have not been discussed or debated. The next section-----
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: When we are asked to suspend the House-----
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: The point I am making now is that our good grace in suspending the House to allow a Minister to vote has been trampled on. We now have a situation where we cannot in good confidence allow a Minister to suspend-----
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: In this regard, I have to be clear. We were clearly asked this.
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: There will be multiple points at which Ministers will request a suspension and we will not be able to grant that in good faith-----
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: -----if it is not followed through with an extension of time as promised.
- Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: Not agreed.
- Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreements) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be very brief. I am very glad to see this Bill passing Committee Stage with support. I probably have some concerns. I realise the Minister proposes to introduce his own legislation. This is such strong legislation. With regard to some of the language mentioned on negotiations, it is important that, given the power imbalance in many of these situations, we do not end up with...
- Seanad: Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (23 Jun 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: This is a simple amendment placing a time obligation on companies with more than 50 employees within which they must establish internal reporting channels. This is a time-specific amendment and we reserve the right to bring further amendments on Report Stage on the question of timely restitution or timely response. Many whistleblowers have expressed concern that there are times specified...
- Seanad: Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (23 Jun 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: We should be seeking to have the most ambitious interpretation possible. It is a pity for us to seek derogation in any area. I know there has already been discussion about concerns with other articles of the directive and there will be further discussion later. We will press the amendment. The Minister has given his reasons but for those waiting for very long time and for the kind of...
- Seanad: Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (23 Jun 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I understand the Minister’s position. I hope the information campaign will contribute to that momentum.
- Seanad: Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (23 Jun 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 15: In page 13, line 14, to delete “or”. Amendment No. 15 is a technical amendment to ensure the subsequent amendments are grammatically correct. Amendment No. 16 seeks to bring more accountability. The 50-employee threshold for the creation of internal reporting channels would not apply. A company would not have an exemption from the reporting...
- Seanad: Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (23 Jun 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister has eloquently made the case for dedicated structures. The fact that one can make a report is not the same as being able to make it through that kind of administrative channel. The Minister referred to the guarantee of confidentiality, encrypted channels and designated email addresses. All of those things are technical. They have a reasonable cost for what they do. It is not...
- Seanad: Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (23 Jun 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: Public procurement is almost a loophole in that regard.
- Seanad: Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (23 Jun 2022)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 16: In page 13, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following: “(aa) is performing a public contract with a value of more than €1million, or”.