Results 2,281-2,300 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (30 Oct 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 147: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the circumstances, on foot of reports that members of An Garda Síochána are to be equipped with pepper spray, under which his Department and the Garda Commissioner propose such spray may be used; and the research he and his Department have undertaken as to the use of such sprays in other jurisdictions with particular...

Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: By way of further clarification we are being told two contradictory things. The Tánaiste has stated on the record that legislation is being prepared to enable consultation with the IMO, that does not include the bodies Deputy Ó Caoláin has referenced. Separately, we have been told that there is to be legislation next year that will take account of the review of the competition Bill. The...

Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: That is correct.

Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: The Taoiseach will have an opportunity to support our legislation in this regard.

Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: It is only a bit of a committee, really.

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: That is the limitation.

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. It is important that I acknowledge the Government's intentions in introducing this legislation and the manner in which consensus was achieved on so many fundamental aspects of it over a period of a few years. I also pay tribute to people like Tony D'Costa of Pax Christi Ireland and others in the non-governmental sector who were involved not...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: An amendment will be tabled to that effect.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 121: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason he did not consider removing State support for private, fee-paying schools in budget 2009; if his failure to do so is in line with his recent comments on third level education and making 33,000 millionaire families pay appropriate fees; his views on the principle of universal access to free education; and if he will make...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 151: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the withdrawal of the grant in respect of foreign qualified teachers to attend courses in the Gaeltacht; if his Department has put a [i]de facto[/i] recruiting ban on foreign teachers into the primary school system because they can no longer improve their standard of Irish to the required level; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 333: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the case of a person (details supplied), as well as other similar cases recently documented; his further views on whether these testimonies prove that Ireland, Irish airspace and Irish airports are implicated in actions which are torture by another name; the implications for Ireland in this regard in view of the illegality...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 337: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in Iraq; and his views on the plight of members of the Christian churches in that country, many of whom have been displaced and had to flee their homes. [38399/08]

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 338: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in Afghanistan, particularly with reference to Pakistani and Afghan political and tribal leaders recently agreeing to establish contacts with the Taliban to end insurgencies in both countries as an outcome of a two-day meeting endorsed by the governments of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. [38400/08]

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: The Tánaiste did not get as far as ideology.

Official Engagements. (5 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Absolutely.

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: The amendment is agreed.

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 5: In page 9, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: "(a) A body which is part of the executive branch of Government,". The purpose of this amendment is to ensure that core public bodies are excluded bodies under the Bill and, therefore, do not constitute charities. The Minister of State undertook to examine this matter on Committee Stage.

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Yes.

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: The purpose of the amendment was to achieve clarification, certainly not to have any malign effect by way of exclusion of the bodies. The amendment is not being pressed.

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: With the greatest respect, I suggest the Minister of State's amendment does not clarify any matter but rather makes it far more difficult. I intend very much to facilitate the Minister of State and the Government in some of these amendments which are technical and, like Deputy Ring and others, we are anxious to improve the Bill. However, this is one of those fundamental issues. The...