Results 2,041-2,060 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Lisbon Treaty: Statements. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Yes.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: To undo the politics of fear.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: That is true.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: One could buy one's way into coverage too.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I share the sentiment of other Members that without reservation I accept the will of the people. The Lisbon treaty, as put to the people, has been decided upon and is over. We have a set of consequences which require reflection and an approach which should be original in moving Europe on. The approach must contain the fundamental component of examining Europe's role in the world. The...

Overseas Development Aid. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 63: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will host a conference to discuss the different options available for responding to the food crisis in the developing world in general, and Africa in particular, in order to ensure there is an adequate consideration of the different models available for the achievement of food security and appropriate commercial usage as part of...

Overseas Development Aid. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I wish the Minister of State every success with his new responsibilities and I appreciate his reply. The question I tabled contains two basic elements. First, I entirely support what the Minister of State said about increasing technical and practical assistance under the UN World Food Programme, particularly to Ethiopia where millions of people are threatened. The second element concerns a...

Overseas Development Aid. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Flexibility must be afforded to African countries in terms of the WTO. The Minister and the Minister of State both appreciate the importance of integrated thinking between trade and development. It is important, however, that African countries should be allowed to apply tariffs and subsidies to create food security. For example, Asian rice is being dumped in Africa where production of...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 65: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he has taken to implement the wishes of Dáil Éireann as expressed in the all-party motion on Zimbabwe on 15 May 2008; if he has sought assurances regarding the issues relating to voting conditions in the second round of presidential elections set for 27 June 2008; if election results will again be posted outside polling...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I am grateful for the Minister's reply. We will shortly arrive at the point at which we must discuss a response from the United Nations. The decision at the UN summit meeting of 2005 to regard human rights protection as a core principle was a defining moment in the history of the organisation. With the election in Zimbabwe having taken place in imperfect conditions which cannot be...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister may find himself facing a Chapter 7 resolution.

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I would probably be among the most reluctant in this House to invoke a Chapter 7 resolution of the United Nations, but I cannot see how the 2005 declaration at the summit on human rights protection can mean anything unless it can also accommodate a motion which may ask the regional authority with the delegated function to intervene to ensure human rights protection. I know what I am saying...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: It is.

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Before I ask my question, I wish to say I am entirely supportive of what the Irish troops are seeking to do in protecting refugees, displaced persons and those involved in humanitarian relief. However, a serious situation has emerged and there is a problem with the interpretation of UN Resolution 1778 and the nature of the mandate under which the Irish troops and EUFOR are operating in Chad....

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: The Irish troops remain the most neutral and impartial component in EUFOR. The proportion is important. It is official French policy to support the President of Chad. We are not required to do so nor am I am alleging that is Irish policy. However, I suggest that, practically, it is a complication. My fundamental question is about the relationship between Sudan and Chad. I refer to the...

Nuclear Technology. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Several issues arise from the Minister's reply. I have concerns, which I hope the Minister shares, about the bellicose statements being made by those of us examining the position of Iran. For example, there was a statement by one of the candidates for the US Presidency suggesting that if Iran proceeded to acquire nuclear capacity it would be obliterated. There are continual statements from...

Nuclear Technology. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Would the Minister agree there is considerable merit in keeping the European Union approach European? This is precisely the issue and there is more traction to the European Union approach than there is from the mediated approach of the United States, through Israeli comments. If the balance or the composition of the team that negotiates with Iran drifted towards the north-American version,...

World Trade Negotiations. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: They are dead.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I accept and respect the decision of the Irish people. However, I am not required to pay tribute to those who abused the politics of fear. This should be condemned. It was right that public representatives, Deputies and Senators, spoke out in regard to where they stood on the treaty. Unfortunately, not all did so. There were presentational difficulties with the treaty. The idea of...