Results 5,201-5,220 of 8,220 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I was-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Again, I am happy to agree to meet in the Seanad and so forth. Nonetheless, let us be clear that the initial statement was that we wanted to bring in the Ministers, but agreement could not be reached. I thank the Cathaoirleach for the clarification as to the point on which agreement could not be reached. To use a sweeping statement such as agreement could not be reached with regard to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Several important points have been raised. Unfortunately, the debate has become more serious and the points that have been made are ever more concerning. Yesterday, representatives of human rights organisations appeared before the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response. At the meeting, the head of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission made the point that emergency legislation...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The amendment from Senator Bacik was, I believe, for Committee and Report Stages. I second Senator Bacik's amendment. I suggest that if it is not possible to take Committee and Report Stages tomorrow or Monday that we take just Report Stage, which might be a valid option.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Those two amendments to the Order of Business have been proposed. Perhaps the Leader may need to consider the timing of the debate given the clash with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. That is, clearly, emerging as a very important meeting that Senators need to attend. Those are my proposals. Let us not start making very serious mistakes with how we do business.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wanted to clarify my amendment.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am happy to second that.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am a co-signer and initiator of this amendment. That was a very useful intervention from Senator Ward. One of the problems is that there is not great clarity on it and concerns have been raised. We know that across Ireland, and particularly in rural Ireland, many family members live on the same premises. The language used in the Bill refers to a premises on which intoxicating liquor...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for the clarification, specifically in regard to the use and reference to the maps which are lodged in respect of licensed premises. In the interests of continuing and further clarity, will the Minister of State indicate if, in respect of the regulations, which I am sure everybody will be referencing in order to ensure compliance because many pubs will be...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am satisfied that, legally, there is sufficient security but I am concerned about the communications aspects of this provision and I believe it is a matter that we need to keep under review. I ask that the Minister of State seek to monitor if there are circumstances whereby, for example, persons accept entry into a private residence because they believe they must under the law and that...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I support the amendment put forward by Senator Bacik. In fact, I would prefer the amendment put forward by Senator Bacik to my own. I recognise that this is work that Deputy Howlin very much brought forward and I commend the Deputy for the rigorous debate he brought to this issue in the other House. The preferable option would be the deletion of this line. It is at a minimum unnecessary...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for his speech and congratulate him on his appointment to his role. It is still not clear what exactly is meant by the phrase "or otherwise". If there is a specific intent in legislation, it is always better to state it. The Minister of State mentioned amendment No. 4, concerning provisions under section 31A of the Act of 1947. He said it would potentially...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, line 14, to delete “or otherwise” and substitute “or in relation to such regulations that have been made under section 31A of the Act of 1947 previous to the date of the passing of this Act”.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 4: In page 5, line 14, to delete “or otherwise” and substitute “or in relation to provisions under section 31A of the Act of 1947”.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: No. I will be withdrawing the amendment.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 6: In page 14, line 34, after “such date” to insert “, which must not be later than the 9th day of November 2021”. Amendment No. 6 relates to the question of a sunset clause. While it has been said that a sunset clause is provided for in the Bill, it is currently stated in section 17(3) that: "This Act shall continue in operation until the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Sep 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister has mentioned the resolution that will be in place but it is the detail of the resolution and the constraints around it that my amendment seeks to address. I am not opposing the fact of the resolution and I recognise the reason for the date and the fact that the date is aligned with the other provisions. I am trying to set a clear signal as to how far these emergency powers can...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jul 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would first like to note the decision made by the Supreme Court in respect of Climate Case Ireland. It is a very important reminder of how seriously we need to act on climate change. It is not simply that we need to be acting on mitigating and adapting to climate change but that we also need to ensure we are not taking actions that take us in the wrong direction. I hope we will now see...

Seanad: Skellig Star Direct Provision Centre and the Future of Direct Provision: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have very little time in which to speak, but everything that needed to be said has been said in an incredibly eloquent way by colleagues. The issues that have been raised include access to heating, food, water, transport, basic health and basic education. These are fundamentals for any society and when anyone in society is not getting them, it is a disgrace to all of us. Yet that is what...