Results 6,241-6,260 of 8,235 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for his engagement and I look forward to engaging with him further between Committee and Report Stages. In respect of that, I will not press all of these amendments.I will not press all of my amendments but will possibly press one or two. Amendment No. 1 is probably the most comprehensive and represents the preferable way to move forward in terms of engaging...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: From my perspective, I am not looking for a laborious process but feel that the same kinds of considerations should apply. Perhaps this could be addressed on Report Stage by way of amendments from me or from the Minister of State, whereby size limits could be set on the spaces that can be de-designated. That may be a way of tackling this issue. I am very aware of the issues involved here....

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I could speak forever but will not. I could list all of the species affected but will not do so. However, it is very important that the national pollinator plan be factored into the equation here. I know that the plan exists but we are in a crisis situation in terms of our pollinators. When we spoke about these issues three years ago, the beekeepers of Ireland sounded the alarm bells. We...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will withdraw amendment No. 1 but reserve the right to reintroduce it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wish to give notice that I may table an amendment to section 3 on Report Stage.

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I know that Senator Grace O'Sullivan will return to this issue when she returns to the House, but others were clear that there had been a long process. There has been a substantial 12 year consultation process involving a large number of factors and conversations on raised bogs. It is not that it is inconsistent, but perhaps, with due respect, it is irresponsible, having had a 12 year...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: SACs are different. They are referenced in the Bill and are required by Europe, but they are in a different category and do not relate to this. Our concern is those blanket bogs that are not protected by SAC status or all of the various requirements and caveats that come with that. While the Minister of State has spoken about what might be anticipated or expected or what he might think...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I acknowledge the Minister of State's comments on Senator Ó Céidigh. I attempted to table amendments that reflected the issues mentioned around turbary rights, fuel poverty, and just transition. I had the opportunity to sit on the Committee on Climate Action, substituting for Senator O'Sullivan, and we discussed those issues. There are issues there and I had hoped that there...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 5:In page 4, line 8, after “needs” to insert the following:“and contribution towards achievement of climate change targets or goals within the National Pollinator Plan”.

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 6:In page 4, lines 9 and 10, after "having regard to" to insert “all of the matters referred to in section 16(6),". I will not labour the point in respect of these amendments. They cover very much the ground we have spoken about previously. Although the Minister of State has addressed many of the specific environmental issues, and I thank him for his engagement...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I look forward to the amendments in respect of biodiversity. They will strengthen the Bill. The idea of a duty is important. There is scope in a number of areas in the Bill to revise and consider duties, responsibilities and actions that may be taken consequently. I may reserve the right to introduce an amendment in respect of that area on Report Stage. With due respect, the concern...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 7:In page 4, line 11, after “needs” to insert the following:“and contribution towards achievement of climate change targets or goals within the National Pollinator Plan”.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Indecon Reports on Job Clubs and Local Employment Services: Discussion (2 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the presenters who have made a very strong case for the work that they do. Like many others, I know the work they do is thoughtful, effective and has a meaningful impact. As well discussing this issue and speaking to people who have navigated unemployment and found support form local employment services and jobs clubs, I had the opportunity in the past to work with Wexford local...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Mar 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I commend Connect, Fórsa and SIPTU on the very strong vision for local government and public services they set out today in the More Power To You campaign. My key objective this morning is to move a new Bill. I would like to move an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 15 be taken before No. 1 today. No. 15 is a Bill I am proposing on the preparation and award of contracts by...

Seanad: Public Authorities and Utility Undertakings (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2019: First Stage (27 Mar 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to give further effect to Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 and to Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 and for those purposes to provide for contract award criteria in public contracts, to promote the use of social...

Seanad: Public Authorities and Utility Undertakings (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2019: First Stage (27 Mar 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Period Poverty: Motion (27 Mar 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I want to add my support to the motion. It is really a positive sign of how things are changing in Ireland that we are discussing more and more topics which had been kept, as my colleague described, in the space of euphemism and were not discussed. They are now coming into the realm. As mentioned by Senator Clifford-Lee, this is part of an opening up or a discussion of the fullness and...

Seanad: Protection of Employment (Measures to Counter False Self-Employment) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will speak briefly to section 2. It is very thoughtfully worded and is very much in line with what we are seeing across Europe where there has been increasing pressure to identify what we define as work and an employment relationship. We know that other countries are addressing that issue too including Belgium and many others. The Minister will be aware that we have had a number of...

Seanad: Protection of Employment (Measures to Counter False Self-Employment) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: As the issue of the intermediary is referred to in this section, I ask the Minister to clarify an issue which, as she will be aware, arose while we were discussing these matters at the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Although there is a very strong argument for ensuring that there is responsibility along the supply chain and that end users - which may be...

Seanad: Protection of Employment (Measures to Counter False Self-Employment) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I was making reference to the broader discussion of the points that were raised in that regard.