Results 2,341-2,360 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: It looks like that.
- Light Rail Projects. (12 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Question 92: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of proposals for Luas or light rail systems in Cork, Galway and Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39839/08]
- Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (12 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Question 97: To ask the Minister for Transport the estimated completion dates for the full Navan rail line and western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39838/08]
- Order of Business (13 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: There are empty spaces in people's heads as well.
- Order of Business (13 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: That is where the politics come from.
- Order of Business (13 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Does the Government intend to ratify the convention on the rights of all migrant workers and their families? I ask because in its absence children of people who have been granted residency are being forced by the Department of Education and Science to apply on a case by case basis for their rights to third level education and grants. Although the Department has established that as a...
- Aircraft Search and Inspection. (13 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Question 10: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will introduce legislative provisions to give the Garda powers to search aircraft using Irish airports to determine whether the planes may be used for the practice known as extraordinary rendition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40195/08]
- Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (13 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Question 74: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied regarding the capacity of the preferred bidder to deliver the Thornton Hall prison project; the progress that has been made on the project since the enactment of the Prison Development (Confirmation of Regulations) Act 2008; the estimated date for the commencement and the completion of the project; the...
- Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.
- Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: It has not gone to Irish business.
- Order of Business (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: A blast from the past.
- Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, to delete lines 20 to 23. This amendment simply deals with the coming into operation of the Bill. I do not propose to delay very long on some of these amendments but I will concentrate on substantive ones of definition. It is interesting that on Committee Stage the defence of the text as it remains is that it is a convention relating to drafting. I have...
- Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: It was not my suggestion that the Minister would be dilatory in regard to either ratification or the bringing into existence of such administrative procedures as would expedite the delivery of the legislation. I was simply making a point in regard to any further legislation or in principle on any other legislation. It is my belief that we are incapable of finitude in regard to text and...
- Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 2: In page 3, to delete lines 30 to 33. The amendment relates to the definition of anti-handling devices. It is a matter we discussed on Committee Stage and on which there remains a difference. For the sake of economy and brevity I hope to make the fundamental case. It is that something that has the consequence of being an anti-personnnel device â in the short term,...
- Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: The Minister has encouraged me to stray from the particular to the general on this matter. However, I will first refer to amendment No. 9. On the Minister's last point, when he is reviewing the Explosives Act 1875, at the base of our current legislation on landmines, he might consider the 1954 Act. One cannot have it both ways in regard to interpretation. We can leave this amendment aside...
- Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I do.
- Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: It is unfair of the Minister to suggest I am arguing for a position of splendid isolation. Far from it, it is a question of adequacy in what we are seeking to achieve. We differ regarding the construction of the consensus achieved. I share the Minister's view on stigmatisation, which is what we should seek in regard to those states which use the weapons in question. An issue arises as to...
- Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 3: In page 4, to delete lines 21 to 33. It is not necessary to delay the House with this amendment because I made arguments on the definition in our discussion of the previous amendments. Amendment No. 3 which would have the effect of deleting section 2(1)(c) calls into question the provision which would exclude from the definition of "cluster munition" a munition that,...
- Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 4: In page 4, line 36, after "Schedule 1", to insert the following: ", but Article 21(3) of the said Convention may not be relied on by the State". On Committee Stage the Minister, in relation to amendment No. 7, made a helpful statement by way of clarification as regards the circumstances that would govern co-operation between Irish and other forces. My reason for...
- Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I am reflecting on the spirt in which the legislation is being brought forward, as well as the debate we had on Committee Stage. The important principle of peacekeeping and having a set of absolute conditions for the protection of Irish personnel are issues which affect me. I do not want to put into text something which would have the consequence of impairing the capacity to respond quickly...