Results 2,101-2,120 of 8,212 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: While we work with other countries, we previously worked through the UN.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I also asked about the European defence fund and autonomous weapons.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am afraid-----

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is a point of order. The Minister of State has said that he addressed the issues. I directly asked about the European defence fund and autonomous weaponry, which is an issue that is related to the Department. Like others, I have stayed here a long time and some people got very lengthy replies. I asked a specific question but did not get an answer.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I note that my question was not answered.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Travellers Towards a More Equitable Ireland Post-Recognition: Discussion (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank all the speakers. I will try to be brief. Some of the points-----

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Travellers Towards a More Equitable Ireland Post-Recognition: Discussion (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: They are questions. The use of prejudicial language in the media, hate speech and the framing and allowing of debates was outlined well. I was very struck by the fact that a conference would not be covered whereas an individual incident would be. Travellers find the media framing the agenda around them, which may put them in a responsive or defensive position. How does that affect...

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I sit on the Joint Committee on Climate Action, and we have been discussing the issue of retrofitting. Large-scale changes will be required. We have been focusing on housing, but they will also affect businesses and others across the country. I reserve the right to try for an amendment on Report Stage. If a local authority that is trying to achieve a climate or environmental target wants...

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: With respect, there is something of a contradiction in the Minister of State's answer. He thinks few people will seek to leave a place empty for one year because of the loss, but he says that if it was two years, they would equally benefit. He says he does not believe many will seek to use this as a loophole in terms of leaving a place vacant for one year. While he thinks one year is a...

Seanad: Genetic Testing: Motion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am sharing my time with Senator Dolan. I welcome those in the Visitors Gallery. I commend Senator Norris on his thoughtful contribution. This is an important motion. I had the opportunity to speak on a very similar motion or resolution last week at the OSCE, where Italian parliamentarians — this issue has been led by Italy — tabled a successful resolution on neonatal care...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the delegates for their presentations. A couple of themes have been touched on into which I would like to dive a little more. It is good to hear that the scale is increasing, but we want it to increase even further. The question of aggregated solutions is important. In that context, I was particularly interested in the better energy communities scheme within the SEAI. The scheme...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes. I will then ask my main question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Where does it intersect with local authority stock and its retrofitting? Many of us assume all local authority stock should be retrofitted as deeply as possible. That is another area identified for aggregation and large-scale action. I read in one of the figures that 9% of housing stock is local authorities.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: A total of 372,000 are in receipt of fuel allowance. I do not know what proportion of that figure live in local authority housing. How many are in private rented accommodation? Will Mr. Gannon comment on this?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I almost like what Mr. Gannon is saying but I am cautious about turning incentivisation on and off when it comes to social housing. I am in favour of predictability and work being sustainable. I presume new housing stock will be coming on board but I imagine that existing housing stock needs to be front-loaded as much as possible.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The debate we had on cost optimal reminded me of similar debates I have had around price quality ratio, most economically advantageous tender, and so on. There is a big push around procurement. In procurement, one option is the most economically advantageous tender, which is effectively just about cost, and there is price quality ratio. In the context of procurement, and while I am aware...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Levies will also be examined down the line.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I know, but similar tensions arise. I was using it more as a parallel when balancing price and quality. My last point was around landlords and the tension there which was mentioned. Many of those living in the lowest income households live in private rented accommodation. This relates to the security of Part 4 tenancies. It is a question of how we can encourage retrofitting, for example,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The split incentive problem might not be the best frame for this. It may be a public benefit of a different kind, namely, housing security and climate action. If we put it like that, it is a different frame and conversation.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I join in the thanks to all the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Many of them will continue to work during the summer, and I thank them for that too. I second Senator Gavan's suggestion that we have a debate on military transport through Shannon when the House returns in September. I have heard calls for such a debate on many occasions. It is overdue in light of the very hawkish...