Results 2,861-2,880 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: In regard to post-conflict resolution and the position of India, is the Minister not concerned that the Indian Government expressed a concern for the minority in the recent past but changed sides? That changing of sides had the effect of creating open season for the Sri Lankan forces. The other issue is whether cluster bombs were used. That would have to be part of the international...

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It is.

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It is in the text of the question.

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I appreciate the Minister's answer.

Diplomatic Representation. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Would the Minister exclude the two main parties?

Foreign Adoptions. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for the main body of his reply. It dealt with the future arrangements, about which there is no difficulty. Legislation that will implement the Hague Convention or arrangements that will reflect the principles thereof will be very valuable. However, an issue arises with regard to the transition to the new system and also to the cases that are outstanding under...

Foreign Adoptions. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It would help if the Minister of State said the Department of Foreign Affairs would examine those caught in the transition and make efforts to get the HSE to clear this up so that there is not an unnecessary delay in the cases being processed. The Department of Foreign Affairs is the protector of the quality of the relationship with the other side in international agreements. We must be...

Emigrant Support Services. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The question refers to any such visas and the issue arises in respect of undocumented individuals in the United States unless they left the United States and applied for one of the new visas. The US Government appears to have had a change of policy. It initially prosecuted a line of dealing with all of the undocumented, including millions of Mexicans, who may progress to citizenship. It...

Overseas Development Aid. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister of State is correct in saying there has been a very positive evaluation of Ireland's aid programme. There was also a reference to improvements necessary in coherence between aid, trade, debt and so forth. It would be useful to hear if this will be given priority in the interdepartmental committee relevant to this matter. With regard to the fundamental matter raised by Deputy...

Third Level Funding. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: When the interim review for these projects, which is due shortly, is completed, will the Minister of State publish details of the receiving institutions and the project leaders? In fairness, I do not mind if the follow-up communications to my questions come to me after today. Has the special unit on governance been established in the Department? Higher education institutions differ in their...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 52: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts he is making to finalise an agreement on inter-country adoption with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; if he plans on visiting that country to help secure the agreement; the level of support he is providing to the Department of Health and Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21851/09]

Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Michael D Higgins: In the last Dáil, the Government did not oppose the Labour Party's Private Members' Bill on the protection of whistleblowers. It passed Second Stage and is on the Order Paper. Given the failure to protect the public interest by self regulating bodies, including the Medical Council, will the Taoiseach provide Government time for conclusion of this legislation or announce a timescale for the...

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It does.

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (9 Jun 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 136: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the Health Service Executive's child protection services are properly resourced to carry out all their competing functions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22058/09]

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (9 Jun 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 137: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent of the backlog in post-adoption placement assessment reports from before 2008; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this backlog has caused the Russian Federation to suspend inter-country adoptions with Ireland; if the Health Service Executive has informed her of the way it will direct resources to clear this...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (9 Jun 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 138: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the lapse of the inter-country adoption agreement with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the suspension of inter-country adoptions from the Russian Federation are no fault of prospective adoptive parents; if she will urge the Adoption Board to grant extensions including second extensions to the declaration of...

Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Have the necessary ministerial orders been completed for such legislation that exists for the practice of private security companies and their relationship with the Garda? Legislation and legislative initiatives have been promised on the question of the registration and practices of private security companies. However, these would in turn require a set of ministerial orders governing the...

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (11 Jun 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (11 Jun 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I wish to share my time with Deputy Joan Burton.

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (11 Jun 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It is just about ten years since the three programmes that made up "States of Fear" appeared on television. When those programmes were broadcast, the reaction was entirely different from what we are witnessing this week in terms of the Ryan report. Much of the reaction then was to assemble the forces that had so successfully denied every assertion of abuse for decades. One could go back...