Results 301-320 of 346 for speaker:Jim Higgins

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jun 2004)

Jim Higgins: Farmers and farming organisations were pleased and relieved yesterday with the announcement that Teagasc had come up with sound scientific evidence showing that the nitrates directive, which would impose a limit of 170 kg. per hectare, is unduly restrictive. It also claimed that this country would be more appropriately served and could environmentally sustain a 250 kg. limit. This is vitally...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (30 Jun 2004)

Jim Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. When I first read the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill 2003, I was reminded of the adage "If it ain't broke, then why fix it?" The current system of appointment, introduced in the Civil Service Commissioners Act 1956, has stood the State in good stead. As the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, said, nobody can point a...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (30 Jun 2004)

Jim Higgins: Indeed. The people in question were recruited under the old system, which has stood the test of time. The Government plans to change the entire system, however. The Bill's explanatory memorandum mentions decentralisation, but the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, did not refer to it in his speech. His failure to refer to the decentralisation programme represents an acknowledgement that it is...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (30 Jun 2004)

Jim Higgins: What if the husband has a senior position within the public service and his wife is working in a bank, and both salaries are needed to pay a mortgage? How can the Minister reach some compromise that will make the move acceptable to both of them? The same applies in regard to a civil servant married to a teacher. How can she be guaranteed a job in the local secondary, community or vocational...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (30 Jun 2004)

Jim Higgins: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Jim Higgins: I concur wholeheartedly with the comments of Senators O'Toole and Ryan on the issue of asylum seekers, particularly in respect of the young 18 year old who was deported over night back to a country where he has no roots, despite the fact that he is deemed to be ofNigerian origin. Last week there was a celebration of Ireland and Irishness all over the world. The main celebrants were the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Jim Higgins: These are the people who are now rightly lobbying the political stalwarts in the United States on behalf of the undocumented Irish. There is a strong ongoing lobby in respect of legalising the status of young undocumented Irish people. There is considerable doublethink in respect of Ireland, our thinking, racism, coloured people and asylum. I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Ryan. I tangled...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Jim Higgins: That was an earlier era.

Seanad: Road Traffic Offences. (22 Mar 2005)

Jim Higgins: I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for choosing this matter on the Adjournment. I empathise fully with Senator Leyden as my very first job was as a teacher in the same school. I am only disappointed that in mentioning Oliver Goldsmith and various bishops, I was not mentioned.

Seanad: Road Traffic Offences. (22 Mar 2005)

Jim Higgins: I travel extensively in the Border counties in the European constituency of Ireland North West, through Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan. I am constantly amazed at the manner in which drivers of Northern-registered cars deliberately flout the speed limits in the Republic. Apart from showing a disregard and contempt for speed limits, one regularly encounters convoys of Northern-registered...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Higgins: I agree wholeheartedly with Senators Cummins, Ryan and Brian Hayes that it is manifestly wrong that this Bill should have been left until the 11th hour of this session and that it has effectively been guillotined through the Dáil and now through the Seanad in this fashion. When I was spokesperson on justice, equality and law reform in the Dáil, I repeatedly pressed the former Minister,...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Higgins: ——because the Commissioner was giving inaccurate information. I do not know what the Minister said to the Commissioner when he spoke to him privately afterwards, but it is obvious that he said something to him. The procedures for the redesignation of a case are quite clear. Such a decision is taken in the first instance by the local district officer. The matter is then referred to the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Higgins: I am dealing with the amendments to section 8 of the Bill.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Higgins: This is not time-wasting. I will conclude what I am saying about this group of amendments. The procedure used to redesignate an offence goes right up to the Deputy Garda Commissioner's office. A redesignation can only be allowed after it has been considered at that level. In this case, the redesignation was on the desk of the then Deputy Garda Commissioner, Noel Conroy, who is the current...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Higgins: The House is dealing with a block of amendments. I am speaking about amendment No. 32.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Higgins: I welcome the change in terminology from "may" to "shall" in section 17 as a consequence of the acceptance of amendment No. 32. Section 17(1) now states that "the Minister shall, by regulation, establish a code of ethics that includes standards of conduct and practice for members of the Garda Síochána".

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Higgins: It is an absolutely crucial change. I would have liked to have seen an indication of the thinking behind the code of ethics. I know the Garda Commissioner will be assigned responsibility for preparing the draft code of ethics. Given the public furore about the failure of some members of the Garda Síochána to perform their functions, I would like to know whether the Minister has consulted...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Higgins: I thank the Leader. If the word "guillotine" was not used, I withdraw the word, which is what I have been asked to do.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Higgins: Will the volunteer force not have the same powers as gardaí?

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (30 Jun 2005)

Jim Higgins: Can I make a brief contribution for two minutes? It will be very brief and very pertinent.