Results 1,981-2,000 of 8,211 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Mar 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will note that I suggested the first sentence is the core of the issue. I understand the Deputy's wish to go ahead with the formal amendment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Mar 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This amendment, as phrased, does seek a revision. That does not necessarily mean a massive revision downwards. This is about increasing the ambition for public transport. If we are to get anywhere near achieving our targets, we are going to have to massively increase our ambition for public transport. New strands of funding can and should be drawn on to do that. EU Invest has been...

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 1:In page 3, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following: “(2) Section 16(6) of the Act of 2000 is amended by the insertion of “for its role in carbon sequestration, or in respect of pollination” after “features” where it first occurs.”. Amendments Nos.1, 5 and 7 relate to the amendment of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act of...

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: Public Authorities and Utility Undertakings (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2019: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank all those who contributed to the drafting of this Bill, especially David Dodd, Kate Butler and Kieran Mooney, and others associated with the Office of the Parliamentary Legal Advisers, who contributed to its drafting and ensured its legality in every line and letter. I thank the academics who have worked with me, particularly...

Seanad: Public Authorities and Utility Undertakings (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2019: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State and all other contributors for their engagement. I am grateful for the support many have given to the Bill. I wish to address a few of the points that arose. I appreciate that if the Bill passes today we will have further opportunities to engage on it. It is important to be clear that quality is not balanced against value for money. Rather, it is a part of...

Seanad: Public Authorities and Utility Undertakings (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2019: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Apr 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: All sides of this House have pride in the role the Irish Naval Service has played in the past in search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean. Since 2015, the Naval Service has been involved in rescuing over 18,000 people from the Mediterranean. Some 16,800 of them were rescued when Ireland had a bilateral arrangement directly focused on search and rescue. In 2017, the Minister of...