Results 241-260 of 346 for speaker:Jim Higgins
- Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (2 Jul 2003)
Jim Higgins: Senator Dardis correctly said we are not concerned with semantics and the argument has been made regarding the status and autonomy of this Chamber. The key point is that acceptance of the amendment would improve the commission. I appreciate the arguments made by Senator O'Rourke and Senator Mansergh. It will be interesting to see if Senators on the other side of the House will behave like...
- Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (2 Jul 2003)
Jim Higgins: I asked my Department to authorise practical projects to alleviate flooding that could be implemented at short notice. One such project was undertaken at Belcar, County Galway, near the home of the former Minister of State and Senator, Mark Killilea, where roads had been flooded for 20 years. In fairness to the Office of Public Works, it quickly did the necessary work. Within three hours of...
- Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (2 Jul 2003)
Jim Higgins: While we do not expect the Progressive Democrats to assert its independence within the coalition Government on this issue, we expect the Minister of State to accept this sensible amendment. It will not impose a charge on the Exchequer as the necessary funding can be found within the budget allocation of â¬295 million. The arguments in favour are comprehensive, reputable and compelling....
- Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)
Jim Higgins: I move: That Seanad Ãireann resolves that payment of the remaining phases of benchmarking be suspended pending the implementation of a serious reform package which would yield improvements in the quality of services delivered to the public commensurate with the extra cost involved.
- Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)
Jim Higgins: We did not make the deal.
- Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)
Jim Higgins: With the permission of the House, could I share one minute with my colleague Senator Brian Hayes?
- Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)
Jim Higgins: I thank everybody who contributed to the debate from all sides of the House. It was a very stimulating, high calibre debate, even though I did not agree with anything that was said from the other side of the House. That is a sine qua non. I am extremely disappointed with the contribution of the Minister for Finance. He challenged us to spell out what we meant by re-negotiation and we did so....
- Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)
Jim Higgins: Senator O'Toole mentioned the verification groups and we agreed with him. However, why not publish their results? Why should they be secret? Where is the evidence of the measurability of productivity and increased services? It should be published.
- Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Landslide Relief. (15 Oct 2003)
Jim Higgins: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Cathaoirleach for choosing this matter for discussion on the Adjournment.
- Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Landslide Relief. (15 Oct 2003)
Jim Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for his reply and for indicating that ex gratia payments will be made on humanitarian grounds. He stated also that it is not intended that there would be compensation for losses. What exactly does he mean? For example, does he mean that in the case of households or dwelling houses which have been destroyed or damaged there will not be compensation? In the case of...
- Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Landslide Relief. (15 Oct 2003)
Jim Higgins: What is the amount of the ex gratia payments?
- Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Landslide Relief. (15 Oct 2003)
Jim Higgins: In the case of uninsured properties will compensation apply?
- Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Landslide Relief. (15 Oct 2003)
Jim Higgins: I thank the Minister of State.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2003)
Jim Higgins: On 26 January next the blanket ban on smoking in the workplace will come into operation. I have no problem with certain restrictions on smoking. The evidence of the damage that smoking, including passive smoking, does is incontrovertible. However, certain aspects of the regulation are over the top. In particular, in the event of somebody deciding to light up in a pub the publican has the full...
- Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)
Jim Higgins: Last week's ESRI's halfway progress report on the NDP is a damning indictment of the management of the biggest investment programme in the history of the State. The ESRI judgment was clinical, crisp and critical. The clear message is that the thrust of the programme of the NDP is sound, but the Government is manifestly incapable of managing a â¬51 billion programme, designed to create a...
- Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)
Jim Higgins: It is nice.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)
Jim Higgins: I fully support the call from all sides of the House regarding the debate on the proposals on prison reform made by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Minister responded to the gangland murders in Limerick and the collapse of the Limerick murder trial by saying he would not be goaded into a knee-jerk reaction. However, his announcement yesterday is a typical knee-jerk...
- Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)
Jim Higgins: I wish to share time with Senator Finucane and Senator Brian Hayes.
- Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)
Jim Higgins: As has been pointed out forcibly and articulately by my colleague, Senator Feighan, whom I commend on bringing this timely and opportune motion before the House, the twin scourges of modern society in Ireland are alcohol and drugs. The report on the European survey, which I have read in detail, is excellent in its critical analysis and its recommendations. There have been numerous reports,...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)
Jim Higgins: If we adopt the elaborate programme outlined by Senator Leyden, we will be sitting Saturdays and Sundays as well.