Results 2,581-2,600 of 8,212 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----as some of the natural justice issues that have been mentioned. I refer to that whole question of sector, especially given the battle we know self-employed workers had for collective bargaining or sectoral level agreement, which is a different thing. I just want to ask two or three really specific questions because it will be useful to us. Mr. McMahon mentioned the question of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Okay. This is the key.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There is a really specific point here in terms of where Scope cases go next. In fact, if the provision was made that Scope cases could be appealed to the Circuit Court, it would actually be a lower jurisdiction than currently where it is a requirement to go to the High Court. It effectively could be a streamlining rather than adding a higher layer. We are, in fact, making a lower and more...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: For workers. That is-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would like to ask a couple of specific questions, one of which is a wider question. In 2002 we were told by the Comptroller and Auditor General that these arrangements were not ideal. Of course, the Comptroller and Auditor General's only job is effectively in respect of revenue. It is not the mechanism for vindication of rights. The scaling of this work in terms of the gig economy now...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Was it the case up to January of this year that if one registered as a courier, one would automatically be assumed to be on class S? That has obviously changed since this year. Mr. McMahon mentioned that we need legislation to ensure that inappropriate test cases are not expanded to deny individual rights, but when the Department officials spoke to us they admitted there is a gap in terms...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Comptroller and Auditor General has a different purpose. The rights of individuals is not its focus. We have discussed automated triggering of investigations if we hit a certain number of cases rather than individuals having to go the long distance, as Mr. McMahon has. When we see a number of cases coming from a certain sector, should it trigger an automated investigation into that sector?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The basis of investigations should be what is set by the court.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There should be a scaling up of the Scope tests as part of a wider investigation.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Nov 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I join in the expressions of condolence so eloquently made by others across the House. I also join wholeheartedly in welcoming Senator Hackett to the Chamber and her family to the Public Gallery. I was happy and proud to be one of those who nominated the Senator to her role, and we look forward very much to working with her. Following discussion with members of the Civil Engagement group,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Nov 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Every person is entitled to seek refugee status.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Nov 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: They may apply under international law.

Seanad: Climate Action: Statements (5 Nov 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the Minister. It is very clear that we need a radical, joined-up approach to climate action. As discussed in this House, we face multiple crises. We are facing an ecological crisis, given that 200 species become extinct each day across the world. There is a huge loss of habitat biodiversity. There is an interlinked crisis with climate change and its devastating impact. We also...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. a37a:In page 5, line 36, after "features" to insert ", having regard to matters referred to in section 16(6),". This issue has been addressed before. I propose to amend the definition of "environmental criteria" to ensure the inclusion of the environmental, conservation, geological and biodiversity provisions in subsection 16(6) of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000....

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State especially for his consideration of my amendment to move from a comparison model to a consideration model. That will vastly improve the operation of this section. I also thank him for his assurances regarding SACs. I look forward to consideration of this provision in the Dáil and that will assist matters. The mechanism as currently provided for in the...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I second the amendment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Conference of the Parties, COP, 25: Discussion (6 Nov 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank all those who gave presentations and wish those travelling to the COP well. I had the opportunity to go with Trócaire to the 2007-8 COPs and I know the huge amount of work that civil society puts into shaping and trying to make these debates as constructive as possible. I commend it on that. I want to focus on some of the cross-cutting themes that are emerging, starting with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Conference of the Parties, COP, 25: Discussion (6 Nov 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: May I make a suggestion? I do not wish to use the committee's time on it. A good point was made about the five initiatives. Perhaps a note could be provided to the committee on how those initiatives have been reflected in domestic policy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Conference of the Parties, COP, 25: Discussion (6 Nov 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It might be just a follow-up note. I think it would be useful to all members.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Conference of the Parties, COP, 25: Discussion (6 Nov 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will do so.