Results 201-220 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Programmes for Government. (25 May 2005)

Michael D Higgins: The Taoiseach's Department has line responsibility for the agreement with the social partners. The Fianna Fáil programme and the programme for Government made an explicit commitment to allocate 0.7% of GNP to overseas development aid by 2007. That is in the agreement with the social partners, the programme for Government and the Fianna Fáil manifesto and that of other parties. It was the...

Programmes for Government. (25 May 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Is the Taoiseach not ashamed that such a clear commitment supported by the people of Ireland and all sides of the House was so disgracefully broken? Even if he is to break that promise about 2007, why does he not announce a year by which we will meet the United Nations target? That is a matter for which he is responsible. He is responsible for the agreement with the social partners. I would...

Programmes for Government. (25 May 2005)

Michael D Higgins: We knew that in September 2000 when the Taoiseach made the commitment.

Programmes for Government. (25 May 2005)

Michael D Higgins: We became too rich to keep our promise.

Written Answers — Departmental Shareholdings: Departmental Shareholdings (25 May 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 39: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in her capacity as the holder of a golden share in a company (details supplied), she has received any indication from the company regarding its plans for the site of the Carlow plant which closed on 11 March 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17381/05]

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Production: Sugar Beet Production (25 May 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 68: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the ownership of the Irish sugar quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17380/05]

Defence Forces Reserve. (26 May 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 11: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress to date with regard to the implementation of the reserve Defence Force review implementation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17615/05]

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (26 May 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 25: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received a report from the chief of staff on the findings of the board of officers established to examine events in Jadotville in the Congo in September 1961; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17614/05]

Written Answers — Labour Inspectorate: Labour Inspectorate (31 May 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 60: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections carried out by the labour inspectorate and the number of prosecutions initiated by the inspectorate in respect of the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18013/05]

Written Answers — Labour Inspectorate: Labour Inspectorate (31 May 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 72: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in regard to his announcement of the recruitment of an additional 11 labour inspectors, the number that have been appointed to date; when the full number will be appointed; if they will be concentrated on any particular area of work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18014/05]

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 172: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the vindication of rights claimed and upheld by a person (details supplied) under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 to that convention; if the Government has been contacted with reference to their issue; and if he will offer assistance in this matter. [18715/05]

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 173: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the practice of the US State Department in designating specific countries of particular concerns; and if he supports this process as it pertains to Turkmenistan. [18716/05]

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Tá sé suimiúil gur labhair an tAire i nGaeilge nuair a chuir sé tús leis an díospóireacht seo ar an Dara Céim. Tréaslaím leis mar gheall air sin. Beidh suim ag lucht teangeolaíochta chomh maith ar an chaoi inar úsáid sé an Ghaeilge mar chum sé a lán briathra nua agus focal nua ar nós "cearta an indibhidiúla" agus mar sin, focail nach raibh in úsáid in am asheanathar nuair...

European Constitution. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the outcome of the referenda on the European constitution in France and the Netherlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18782/05]

European Constitution. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Does the Minister of State regard that the neo-liberal agenda being pushed to its extreme, for example, regarding the working day, the working week and the Aubert principles was an issue in the French referendum, in other words that the emphasis was on the competition side rather than the cohesion side, as it was in Lisbon? The Minister of State referred to his "regrets". Does he think it was...

European Constitution. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I think I can.

European Constitution. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Is that a referendum or not?

European Constitution. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I suggest that nobody questions for a second that the decision on what happens in Ireland will be taken by the Government. What is unclear, however, is the matter of the referendum. I thought the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs said there would be a referendum in Ireland and that they made that statement after the Dutch and French decisions. Will the Minister of State clarify...

Overseas Development Aid. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a reference is not included in the information pack and quick guide to the work of Development Co-operation Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18783/05]