Results 2,081-2,100 of 8,212 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Community Participation (Disability) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (19 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: If it is 13 for every 100 persons, consider what it must it be for 2,000 persons. In any large place of public assembly, we should see that reflected. I will move on to another key point: playgrounds. The Democratic Programme of the First Dáil has been mentioned very eloquently. Within that is the first duty of the State to children. Surely it is the case that children must be able...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I may have to leave early because I am due to host a group. May I put my questions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: With apologies to the Chair, I will have to leave early, unusually for me. I hope to put my questions now, if that is possible.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I do not normally ask for latitude, but I am due to host a group from Sudan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I requested that I have the opportunity to ask my questions before the witnesses respond

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am very interested in their responses. I will be brief. As was stated, the importance of definitions of what constitutes an employee and a self-employed person has become clear. I wish to commend Senator Nash, who made a very good attempt to set those definitions. I ask the witnesses to comment on what seems to be the inadequacy of the case-by-case approach. Although it is...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Senator Ruane asked me to speak to the amendment.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wish to record my intention to introduce a similar amendment regarding Irish Sign Language on Report Stage which is to seek that we are consistent with the other legislation passed by this House.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have just done that and it is consistent with what this House has done in terms of Irish Sign Language in the past. I will put forward an amendment on Report Stage.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I echo one of the points that was made about dementia.This time last year we had extensive debate on the issue of care and the importance of measures to support care in all its forms. It would be good to have another such debate in advance of budget 2020 in light of the complex issues arising from cuts to respite care, step-down care, and home care packages. These issues affect those with...

Seanad: Redress for Women Resident in Certain Residential Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister will notice the amendments I tabled on Committee Stage, and which Senator Ruane proposed on my behalf, were not resubmitted on Report Stage. That was also with regard to respecting the particular purpose of this Bill. However, I hope there may be opportunities to engage on those issues that are of great importance such as forensic accountancy and the related economic issues....

Seanad: Redress for Women Resident in Certain Residential Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am simply speaking to the end of the Bill. I am noting that I did not resubmit my amendments from Committee Stage to Report Stage. I hope to have an opportunity to engage with them in the interim.

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be brief. This is a sensible amendment and I support it. I note, however, that a number of the maternal deaths have been in other parts of Ireland and we might need to consider providing additional resources in those parts of the country as well. It behoves us to ensure that all inquests in respect of the national maternity hospital are fulfilled in Dublin. If a large number of...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have been indicating and waiting to make this important point. I want to speak briefly. I commend some representatives in the Gallery from the Elephant Collective and other groups as well family members who have been strong advocates of this Bill. I commend Deputy Clare Daly, in particular, on championing this Bill.

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am sorry, I am referring to the former Deputy, Clare Daly, MEP. I also commend the Minister on engaging with this proposal and allowing it to happen. It would be very positive if this Bill could pass before the summer recess. It is will bring about transparency, as well as an important sense of closure in the form of information for families. It will also contribute to our collective...

Seanad: EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would love to.

Seanad: EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am taking six minutes and Senator Norris must be satisfied with two minutes. I have previously spoken in the House on the CETA trade agreement and other trade agreements. It is important that we are really clear that when we speak about trade it is not a simple matter of those who are pro-trade and those who are anti-trade, those who are protectionist and those who are open. It is and...

Seanad: EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will conclude and pass to my colleague. This is going to be an ongoing issue. This is the outgoing European Commission. Let us hope that the new Commission will adopt a more progressive strategy and engage more actively with national governments and parliaments to ensure that trade serves citizens and not just corporations.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Second Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for bringing this Bill for discussion before the summer. I hope that we will have a chance to engage further in respect of amendments in the autumn. I see that it is planned to ensure there is space and time to allow Senators to supplement or contribute to the Bill. Issues have been raised in respect of short-term illness benefit. There are some other practical issues...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will just briefly touch on the issue of pay and conditions because other Members have spoken very eloquently about them. It is clear from the response of PDFORRA and it is clear from the testimony and messages people have been getting, that the Government intervention will not be adequate in the context of allowances. The core issue remains about time, about wages and about having the...