Results 3,041-3,060 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Civil Registrations: Civil Registrations (7 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 157: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason birth certificates for adopted persons are not available from Joyce House in Dublin on the same basis as all other birth certificates; if she will make arrangements to ensure that the same service is available from Joyce House to every citizen regardless of whether they were adopted; her views on whether the different...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I wish to ask about the promised legislation on committals to prison. I ask about this because it was announced in the recent "Prime Time" programme that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform had legislation ready to reduce the number of people - one in four - who are being committed to appalling conditions in prison simply for the non-payment of fines, in other words, for...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I was a member of the group that produced the McBride report on the prisons, which was followed by the Whitaker report. All I can say is it is a matter of the deepest disappointment how few Deputies in this House are free to speak about prison reform and to respond to what was an appalling report. I pay tribute to the director of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons as much as I say that...

State Airports. (13 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: So much for the public interest.

Diplomatic Representation. (13 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I wish to share time with Deputies Howlin and Kehoe whom I know share my concern regarding the matter I raise. I am happy they should have an opportunity to express their concerns. I raise the kidnapping of Father Michael Sinnott who is from Barntown near Clonard, an area I know well for many different reasons. It is a fundamental fact that the kidnapping of an Irish citizen who has worked...

Diplomatic Representation. (13 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Aid workers.

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (13 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 33: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will publish the findings of the Fuel Poverty Action Research Project; when this was first due for publication; the numbers living in fuel poverty; the number of people who benefited from the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35522/09]

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (13 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 37: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his target for ocean energy technology; when the licence for the grid application was made; when the licence was granted; the number of applications received; the amount of the €26 million announced for ocean energy that will be spent in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35523/09]

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (13 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 282: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the case of persons (details supplied). [35425/09]

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (13 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 502: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes Report's recommendation that course fees should be introduced for mature students. [35613/09]

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (13 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 503: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has plans to insist that mature students receive the necessary training in order to maximise their employment potential; and if so, the nature of that plan. [35614/09]

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: In the first instance, I join with others in wishing the Ceann Comhairle well in his office. I hope I do not test his patience on his first day. I am not anxious to delay the business of the House but I want to make one remark about something the Taoiseach said earlier. He mentioned the Government's heavy legislative workload. By way of being positive, I ask if the Taoiseach would...

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Not so. I can assure the Ceann Comhairle that people may not even agree with what I have to say. If the Government wanted to eliminate the legislative backlog the Taoiseach could announce that he was willing to give up the Government monopoly on the initiation of legislation and allow legislation to be initiated by the Opposition and in committees. I am not going to develop this point...

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: -----as to when is it appropriate to ask a question. I will finish with an explicit question about promised legislation. Ireland has not ratified the Hague Convention on the protection of the child. We have not done so because we have not passed the adoption Bill which is on the list of promised legislation. Our failure to ratify the adoption Bill is accompanied by the failure of Vietnam...

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I am finishing now. My question is when will we have the adoption Bill and related legislation before the House? When I have listened to all the huff and puff about electoral reform from people who do not want to change the legislative process I will find another way of stating those other more general views. However, it is a pity that we would not be committed to wanting to improve the...

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I have offered all these views to the Joint Committee on the Constitution as one does one's best.

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: That is another British convention.

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It did not take in Mayo.

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It was nerve-racking.

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: A lot of cycling is involved.