Results 2,321-2,340 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: The Eurobarometer report of less than two years ago showed that 80% of the citizens polled did not know what the world millennium development goals were, which is a cause of great concern. The Commission's publication of three years ago examined what was aid and what was not. In the Irish case, some of the money allocated ended up as aid but in the case of many member states money had been...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: They might as well do it when they can.

Foreign Conflicts. (5 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Is it not the case that deepening the agreement and facilitating its extension without having insisted on a monitoring mechanism to report within a defined period of time on breaches of human rights conventions represented a capitulation to continuing Israeli aggression in Gaza?

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

Michael D Higgins: In addressing amendment No. 17 to this issue, my colleague, Deputy Wall, was concerned about the original text on page 11, lines 23 and subsequent. He was particularly concerned about the loose language used in determining whether a gift is of public benefit. Subsection 3(5) states: "A charitable gift for the purpose of the advancement of religion shall have effect, and the terms upon which...

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

Michael D Higgins: No, we are irreconcilable on this issue. We might as well proceed and dispose of the matter. Amendment put.

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

Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 17: In page 11, line 26, after "concerned" to insert the following: ", provided that for the purposes of this section, 'religion' shall not include any organisation or cult which in the opinion of the Authority is primarily economic in nature or employs oppressive psychological manipulation of its adherents". Amendments Nos. 16 to 18, inclusive, were discussed together...

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

Michael D Higgins: Amendments Nos. 16 and 18 seek to address the issue which amendment No. 17 addressed. I remain convinced that amendment No. 17 was the better formulation and I ask the Minister of State, when bringing this legislation to the Seanad, to consider the arguments made. I do not want to call a vote for no reason as amendment No. 16 has been carried and amendment No. 18 is related. Amendment No....

Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: That is the end of it.

Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I understand that officials in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government have offered to monitor and be part of a working group on the Aarhus Convention to help other European countries have their citizens acquire information on planning. When does Ireland propose to ratify the Aarhus Convention? Second, in a Government White Paper some years ago, a commitment was...

Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: That was some time ago.

Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I would appreciate that, as I have a large file on that convention. People write to me every six months or so. It is in the Government White Paper on aid and in the Government programme for legislation twice. I appreciate the Minister now is approaching it with urgency, so it may happen within my lifetime. As for the other convention, we are heading into the 11th year since Ireland signed...

Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Would ten years not constitute sufficient consideration in the relevant Department? Would it not be great for the partners in government to at least have this small achievement in the lifetime of the present Government or the one that will follow it?

Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I would not describe it as a success after five years. It has another five years to go before it reaches the same level as the Aarhus Convention.

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (6 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 15: To ask the Minister for Finance the details of the proposed committee which will address issues relating to remuneration structures in the financial sector here including its membership, terms of reference and implementation timescale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38841/08]

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 73: To ask the Minister for Finance if, in view of recent financial developments, he is in favour of European and international support for the Tobin tax. [38396/08]

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (6 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 79: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the full amounts of moneys collected over each of the past three years through applications made to her Department and its offices under the work permit scheme. [39074/08]

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (6 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 157: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the full amounts of moneys collected over each of the past three years through applications made to his Department and its offices for the stamp four scheme. [39073/08]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 126: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the claims from the pension industry that the regulatory regime is putting pressure on the sustainability of defined benefit pension schemes. [39553/08]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 155: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the timetable she is working to in relation to a decision on future pensions policy. [39515/08]

Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I would say so.