Results 2,961-2,980 of 8,445 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Biodiversity: Engagement with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The discussion has been really interesting. I will pick up on a couple of the wider framing issues. The legislative issue Dr. Lynn mentioned with regard to putting the biodiversity plan on a solid statutory basis is really important. Things like the pollinator plan also need more teeth. Dr. Lynn might comment on things like that. We could then move from these things being aspirational to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Biodiversity: Engagement with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is really interesting that we are really pushing into a point of overlap. I have a similar perspective to Deputy Bruton on where things are going but a slightly different perspective of how to approach it. The finance actors and others are very much already there and moving. What is really important is that public ideas and policy goals can be placed centre stage in order that they are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Biodiversity: Engagement with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I was thinking of the issue of bottlenecks in the system. The issue was previously raised in respect of planning, in the context of An Bord Pleanála only having one ecologist, which was significant. I was referring to the need for more skills in the area. As well as looking at the EU tools, including environmental impact assessments and considering the directives, I was asking whether...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Youth Perspectives on Climate Challenges: Discussion with Foróige and Comhairle na nÓg (3 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank our guests. Their contributions were powerful, important, serious and thoughtful. They made it clear that climate action is not something that can sit at the side or be added on or greenwashed. Rather, it requires prioritisation. That is one of the words I underlined. It needs to be a priority and that means changing economic policies and challenging energy policies. It requires...

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I was in my office dusting off my "What is Plan B?" posters that we had from debates in the previous Oireachtas on the Heritage Bill. It was a debate on the related issue of habitat and the crucial requirement to protect hedgerows in the context of that legislation. The focus in particular was on habitats that are crucial for pollinators. At that point, we recognised the intrinsic role of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the EU Commissioner for Energy (2 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I confirm I am on the Leinster House premises. I thank the Commissioner and her staff for their very interesting presentation and for the discussion. I will follow up a little on the question of lock-in that was raised. It is a real concern, and one the committee has discussed, that there is talk, for example, of contracts going to 2049 in respect of some of the new potential...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the EU Commissioner for Energy (2 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It strikes me that the 20-year exit from the ECT involves a much shorter timeframe than the 28-year planned transition in terms of fossil fuel infrastructure. We have spent two years on the negotiations so far. It strikes me that if we were to look to an exit, the EU and its member states would be, at least by 2042, in a position to be very much, and properly, taking decisions solely based...

Seanad: National Maternity Hospital and Women's Health Action Plan: Statements (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will take the reverse of the approach of the previous speaker, even though there are very many interesting aspects of the national women's health strategy, many of which I hope to tease out in the future. I will specifically note one point in respect of breastfeeding. I encourage the Minister to lend his support to the proposals currently being considered by the Minister, Deputy Catherine...

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 124: In page 64, line 14, to delete “may” and substitute “shall”.

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wish to highlight, with regard to this suite of sections, that there are concerns around what becomes an obligation and what becomes optional. The Minister will be aware of the concerns I had previously expressed about the issue of "may" and "shall" as it relates to the provision of important and relevant information. I intended my amendment to this section to highlight the need to ensure...

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have a last point as we are on Committee Stage. I will again indicate something that can perhaps be provided for under the regulations. This matter relates to the regulations under GDPR but I will address it more widely. The Minister will be aware I also had amendments that were ruled out of order in respect of what is a very basic suggestion, which is that information campaigns, for...

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I appreciate the Minister's indication in that regard. I reserve the right to bring more amendments around that route to information for parents because that is still an issue. I understand GDPR is one of the important routes. I would like it if this legislation provided more routes in that respect but I appreciate the Minister's bona fides. I look forward to the campaign being...

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 125: In page 64, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: “Rights under the General Data Protection Regulation 69.Nothing in this enactment shall be construed as infringing upon or limiting the right of a person to make a data subject access request under Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulation.”.

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 126: In page 64, line 37, after “her” to insert “, to commence within 90 days of their request”. Amendment No. 126 would insert a clause stipulating that the provision of counselling support should commence not later than 90 days after it is requested by a relevant person or parent. This amendment seeks to ensure the provision of...

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I do not believe our amendment is prescriptive in terms of what persons would need. In fact, it is the opposite. We have indicated, and Senator Boyhan has indicated very eloquently, that people may need longer periods of time. The key point is that if a person is requesting counselling, he or she should be provided with that counselling within 90 days of such a request. To be clear, and...

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I recognise and appreciate the Minister's use of "shall" in that regard. I hope the legislation will be reconfigured in other situations where we debate the use of "may" and "shall". Nonetheless, I believe having a designated timeline is more constructive. In that regard, I will press the amendment.

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 130: In page 65, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “(2) A review under this section shall include meaningful engagement with relevant persons, groups representing survivors and families, persons with expertise in human rights and data protection, and other relevant persons or groups as the Minister deems appropriate. (3) At the conclusion of...

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for indicating openness with regard to the question of ensuring that any report be laid before the Oireachtas to allow for engagement in that way. It is a useful acknowledgment of the fact that there has been very constructive engagement from concerned individuals from parties across the Oireachtas. The evolution of our national discussion on this issue reflects the...

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 131: In page 65, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: "Report on operation of functions of Child and Family Agency 71. The Minister shall, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas evaluating the manner in which the Child and Family Agency has performed its functions in respect of this Act and in the...

Seanad: Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I give notice that I reserve the right to put forward further amendments to the Schedule. I have already indicated my concern that certain bodies, including the psychiatric institutions and others, may not be reflected here. Depending on how things evolve, I may seek amendments to the Schedule on Report Stage.