Results 3,101-3,120 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Why then has the Government not tabled an amendment suggesting that a committee be established?

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Yes. I look forward to the introduction of a Government amendment.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: We are glad we did not regard Anglo Irish Bank as systemic.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: This is the old one.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: That is it.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Apply to the Department of Finance.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: All applications will be sent to the Department.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: That is a fair point.

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of this motion tabled by my Labour Party colleague, Deputy Ciarán Lynch. It is astonishing that people would speak with apparent compassion yet be ready at 8.30 p.m. to vote down a motion. If there was an ounce of sensitivity and reality shown for the position of people who are threatened with repossession of their homes, the Government would...

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The threats.

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Landlords, again.

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: That is the real world.

National Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Exactly. It means whatever the Minister says it means.

National Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I support the inclusion of the word "sustainable". To contribute to the sustainable social and economic development is fine, but when the Bill goes to the Seanad it would be worthwhile to consider including, in whatever form it might be, the social, economic and cultural development of the State. I say that because I listened to reference to large tracts of land which will never be built on...

National Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Sustainability was first used at the United Nations conference on economic development in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It is used in a way quite different from the way the Minister of State is presenting it, but I am not hung up on it.

National Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Nobody suggested that.

Written Answers — Health Service Expenditure: Health Service Expenditure (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 118: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has evaluated the proposals in the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes Report as they relate to health and children; her views on the proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39283/09]

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the ongoing crisis in the area of inter-country adoption and in particular the impasse surrounding those persons who have been caught in a transitional phase whereby their applications will be void at the conclusion of a new deal on inter-country adoptions; if a transitional agreement will be concluded on this...

Written Answers — Mental Health Services: Mental Health Services (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether reductions to the mental health budget, both current and in budget 2010, are reasonable and fair; her further views on whether further cuts will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39459/09]

Written Answers — Mental Health Services: Mental Health Services (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 177: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing tragedy of suicide here; her views on whether further cuts in the health budget and particularly in the budget for mental health will exacerbate this tragedy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39460/09]