Results 2,601-2,620 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (24 Feb 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 92: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff employed, in respect of her constituency office and her private office and those of each Minister of State within her Department, broken down by grade and the cost of each office in terms of salaries and expenses for 2007, 2008 and the projected costs for 2009; if there will be a reduction...

Order of Business (25 Feb 2009)

Michael D Higgins: On a point of order, it is important that when matters like this are being discussed at the committees, there should be a mechanism for notice to be given at the discussion in committee that the matter may require a plenary scrutiny. I believe that would help. I have no difficulty with these ones but we should facilitate it if the matter goes beyond what is a technical issue.

Order of Business (25 Feb 2009)

Michael D Higgins: They can use the sleán but not the sausage machine.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Is it similar to the Offences against the State Act?

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Michael D Higgins: We have no evidence to the contrary.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Feb 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 61: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if arising from his interview (details supplied) he will state when he will introduce legislation to provide for a major crackdown on the gambling sector to ensure that casinos are not involved in money laundering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7589/09]

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (25 Feb 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 82: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in the ratification of the UN Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities; if, further to a previous question on the matter, it has been indicated to him when such ratification will be possible; and when this will take place. [5210/09]

Adult Education. (26 Feb 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 9: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps he is taking to increase the number of places available in further education institutions in order to retrain and upskill the increasingly unemployed workforce; if he will re-prioritise funding in his departmental budget towards providing courses, particularly in the further education sector, towards this aim; and if he will...

Written Answers — Public Service Pension Levy: Public Service Pension Levy (26 Feb 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 46: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount his Department estimates will be saved by the introduction of the forthcoming pension levy on public sector workers within his Department and all other staff paid for out of his Department's budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7923/09]

Written Answers — Arts Scheme: Arts Scheme (3 Mar 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 86: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he expects to launch the new per cent for art scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8526/09]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (3 Mar 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 439: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason one of three teachers has been withdrawn from a school (details supplied) despite the fact that on the cut-off date of 30 September 2008 this school had the requisite numbers of pupils required to maintain three teachers and that figure being changed and backdated several weeks later; if he has been contacted by parents...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (4 Mar 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 64: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the plan from the Government committee for the conservation of the Irish language will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8972/09]

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (4 Mar 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 71: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department has been involved in discussions regarding Údarás na Gaeltachta being subsumed into or having a closer operational relationship with either the Industrial Development Authority or Enterprise Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8975/09]

Order of Business (5 Mar 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister is travelling a very barren furrow.

Order of Business (5 Mar 2009)

Michael D Higgins: What is the timescale for the legislation that constitutes the package on labour law agreed with the social partners? I refer to a number of Bills, including an amendment to section 4 of the Competition Act, the recognition of the right to organise and so on. The listed number of labour law Bills is essential. Taking my colleague, Deputy Costello's point, if the commission is eventually to...

Order of Business (5 Mar 2009)

Michael D Higgins: What of the other Bills in the programme, namely, the amendment of section 4 of the Competition Act on the right of workers, employed and unemployed, to be represented by their trade unions? I also referred to legislation on the recognition of the right to organise. A third Bill raised with the Government by the social partners would have made the former compliant with outstanding ILO...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (5 Mar 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 33: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she is satisfied with the level of enforcement of the minimum funding standard in respect of defined benefit pensions. [9288/09]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (5 Mar 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 45: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of defined benefit pension schemes that fail the minimum funding standard; and the number of these that are below 25% of the standard, 50% of the standard, and 75% of the standard respectively. [9287/09]

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Mar 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 195: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the case in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; his advice in this matter; the action that can be taken in order to solve the issue; the steps that will be taken in view of this; if payment will be made as had been agreed, as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Mar 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 196: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the payment of outstanding farm waste management grants; if it remains the case that he proposes to stagger payment of same over the next number of years; if he has been contacted by farmers who have outlined the financial danger in which they will be placed if this is the case; if it is planned to...