Results 221-240 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Overseas Development Aid. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I would like to elaborate explicitly on my initial question. The information pack produced as an introduction to the work of Development Co-operation Ireland is attractive and colourful. Neither the substantial pack nor the handy guide that accompanies it contains a reference to a target of allocating 0.7% of GNP or GNI by any given year. The pack refers to the UN target of 0.15% of aid being...

Overseas Development Aid. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Yes.

Overseas Development Aid. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I do not query the reference in the information pack to the achievement of the 0.15% target. It is extraordinary, however, that the booklet does not contain a simple sentence saying that the Government will announce shortly the year in which it proposes to achieve the UN target of 0.7%. I am afraid that the international concentration on the poorest countries in the world, which are in...

Overseas Development Aid. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Yes.

Overseas Development Aid. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I accept that.

Overseas Development Aid. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question No. 33 refers to the Taoiseach's remarks in reply to a statement made by Bob Geldof. Mr. Geldof has continually stressed the connection between aid, trade and debt. In the case of Zambia, for example, one of the requirements of the International Monetary Fund for Zambia was that it would privatise the Zambian bank, which had many small depositors. The Zambian Government said "No" and...

Overseas Development Aid. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: It is 0.39% really.

Undocumented Irish Emigrants. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: When the Taoiseach met President Bush, one of the difficulties was he could not state how many undocumented or out of status Irish were in the US. As the Taoiseach stated, estimates vary. I wish the Kennedy-McCain initiative Bill well. Is the REAL ID programme not a more imminent danger to out of status Irish? Irish people will not be able to obtain a driver's licence, which will prevent them...

Undocumented Irish Emigrants. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform stated he regards the procedures as a burden. He made a disgraceful remark about international law; it was scandalous. He said he would like to deal with cock and bull stories of immigrants at the airport. No Minister in the civilised world has said anything like that in recent times.

Undocumented Irish Emigrants. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: We have far fewer but the situation is much worse.

Undocumented Irish Emigrants. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, does not speak for me.

Undocumented Irish Emigrants. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: There are three minutes remaining. Is that correct?

Undocumented Irish Emigrants. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I wish to hear a reply to the question regarding the Warsaw speech.

Undocumented Irish Emigrants. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: The reply can be brief. It was a very slight speech.

Undocumented Irish Emigrants. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I am referring to Question No. 8. It was a very slight speech so it will not take the Minister of State very long to comment on it. It is extraordinary because it is of a very low standard. I hope that I do not get someone into trouble by saying that. However, it is not up to the usual standards of Iveagh House. Perhaps the Minister for Foreign Affairs wrote it himself.

United Nations Reform. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I understand that, but we lost time during the earlier confusion.

United Nations Reform. (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I have a short, supplementary question. Obviously the Minister for Foreign Affairs is casting his net wide. However, I referred to his speech in Warsaw, which includes the following statement: International law has long recognised the right of states to take action to pre-empt an imminent attack. Preventive action against a potential threat, however, should remain a matter for the Security...

Written Answers — Millennium Development Goals: Millennium Development Goals (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 36: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position relating to the achievement of the millennium development goals by each member state of the European Union and by the Union in its entirety; the estimated date by which each member state and the EU as a whole will have achieved these goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18475/05]

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (2 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 48: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether and if the European Union will insist that the current withdrawal of occupation in Gaza will be effected and followed by withdrawal from the West Bank and the territory adjoining east Jerusalem (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18476/05]

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (14 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 85: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the decision by the joint managerial body not to release teachers for oral, practical and in-service training from September 2005; the steps she intends to take arising from this decision in view of the possible disruption to exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19661/05]