Results 8,361-8,380 of 8,768 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister might respond to the question on permits and licences.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: What about the cost?

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: With respect, I still think the provision is unclear. The Bill provides for the regulation of the type or class of boat, including its dimensions, so I do not see anything that precludes regulation in this area. However, I am happy to discuss it at another time.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Our job as legislators is to do that. This Bill may not come back-----

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would like to clarify-----

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: In regard to the statement that the Bill will return to this House, it may not. If we get it right in the Seanad then when it goes to the Dáil it passes at that stage. Our role in the Seanad as legislators is to ensure the legislation leaves this House in the best possible shape. If it comes back to the Seanad, so be it but it is not for us to wait to see what the Dáil does.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: My apologies.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Would that mean that debate on the amendment would be concluded?

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The problem is that we are dealing with two issues, namely, the canals and the Heritage Bill. My concern is the Heritage Bill and this particular section. It is important that that is not lost. The Minister has acknowledged the proposals from stakeholders came in during the legislative process. That is the key problem. I want to ensure that adequate time is give to the later sections...

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome this debate. I will try to build on rather than repeat a couple of the points made by previous speakers who articulated the concern about recent executive orders issued by the President of the United States. The migration orders will have a significant impact on the Irish diaspora. Concerns also arise from Brexit given that we have had a sizeable diaspora in the United Kingdom...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Restructuring: Discussion (23 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I know we are constrained by time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Restructuring: Discussion (23 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Some of the points I wanted to raise have been identified. Certainly the question of a cost-benefit analysis is very important as is clarity around the cost. In a recent parliamentary question, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, confirmed there has not been a cost-benefit analysis, but I am also interested in a risk analysis. When I read Ms Mangan's presentation, I saw...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Restructuring: Discussion (23 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would like to make just a couple of points. I do not believe any inference is being made. We are simply responding to the multiple representations we are all receiving in terms of ensuring restructuring is not simply efficient but also effective, well grounded and well rationalised. That is the spirit in which we try to ensure the process is considered. With regard to the cost-benefit...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Restructuring: Discussion (23 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: To clarify, if companies do not dissolve, the CIB will not give them funding. How would the CIB seek to have the services delivered in those areas?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Restructuring: Discussion (23 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: With respect, it is pertinent because we were told that people would be able to go to the same place to be looked after by the same people.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Restructuring: Discussion (23 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Mention was made of an overlap of services. Are there other areas where particular services are on contract to all of the CIB services? Ms Mangan mentioned auditing. Is that something that could be separately rather than centrally delivered? Ms Mangan mentioned that there are duplications. Are there other areas where there has been a common contract for a specific service to allow for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Restructuring: Discussion (23 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I just wondered if they could be dealt with in another way.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Restructuring: Discussion (23 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Is that available to the Minister? I raised it because the Minister had sent a note to us that he did not have that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Money Advice and Budgeting Service Restructuring: Discussion (23 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to see that.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Cycling Policy (21 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for joining us today. I ask the Minister to make a statement on the national cycling framework, the appointment of a national cycling officer and, specifically, the commitment in the national cycling framework of having 10% of all journeys in urban and rural areas made on a bicycle and the journey we need to make from the 2% at the...