Results 2,841-2,860 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (26 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 152: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will explain the way the fee of €64.50 was reached in relation to the ECCE scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21381/09]

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (26 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 151: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the ECCE scheme, in its attempt to extend the pre-school year by two weeks beyond that required by primary schools, is unacceptable for two reasons, namely as discrimination to require pre-school montessori teachers to work a longer school year than that which is required by national school teachers, at a reduced...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 319: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to incidents whereby persons receiving jobseeker's benefit, who have been offered temporary work for a number of weeks and which holds some prospect of possible long-term employment, are unwilling to take the short-term position since the person would then have to, for the sake of a short period...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 320: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to incidents whereby employers seeking to offer short-term work to persons receiving jobseeker's benefit, but who have not been successful in this due to the persons in question being unwilling to withdraw temporarily from the social welfare system, have contacted her Department to seek...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (26 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 321: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, particularly in view of the current economic difficulties, it is proposed to simplify and streamline the bureaucratic transition from receiving jobseeker's allowance to temporary paid employment and back; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21078/09]

Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (27 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a specific and important matter of public interest that requires urgent consideration, namely, the need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to reconsider the changes she is proposing to make in the work permit scheme and to discuss any such proposals with the relevant workers; the need for...

Work Permits (27 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The matter I raise on the Adjournment concerns the urgent need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to reconsider changes she proposes to make to the work permit scheme on 1 June, the need for her to discuss with the relevant workers such proposals and the need for such workers, their unions and the advocacy organisations to be invited to participate in a consultation process...

Work Permits (27 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Will the Minister of State agree to postpone?

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (27 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 67: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the appointment of a new chief executive for the Equality Authority; when he expects an appointment to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21478/09]

Written Answers — Drugs Seizures: Drugs Seizures (27 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 106: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the quantity and values of seizures of heroin, cocaine, cannabis, and other drugs here during 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; the proportion of the overall flow of drugs into Ireland which is believed to be represented by these seizures; the new initiatives he is planning to control the flow of illegal drugs into Ireland;...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (27 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 183: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the rationale underpinning cuts to the library services; the consequences of these actions; and if he will seek to ensure that these cuts are reversed as well as to ensure that local authorities will be asked to ring-fence these necessary library services. [21698/09]

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Yesterday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe had the benefit of an opening address by you, a Cheann Comhairle. This was followed by a statement by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, in which he said one of the key features of a social crisis with employment in an affluent country like Ireland is that large social welfare...

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: If there is a change in Government policy, it is in here we want to hear about it rather than-----

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: -----at an OSCE conference which is a festival of right-wing thinking and where extremists of free market thinking like to pad up each other.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: There is nothing wrong with windy statements in such places.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: However, if there is to be a change in policy, it is in here we want to hear it.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It is better than withering on the vine.

Middle East Peace Process. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Of course, he is.

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views as to the appropriate form of international independent investigation to ascertain the facts as to civilian casualties, breaches of human rights or possible war crimes committed in recent times in Sri Lanka. [21950/09]

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I am grateful for the Minister's reply and the fact the Government supports an independent inquiry. A number of issues arise as a result of the recent events in Sri Lanka, one of which is language. The language used at the time of this particular assault by the Sri Lankan army included the phrase "the elimination of the terrorist threat". This phrase was used also by the Pakistan...