Results 301-320 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We were told that the figure for Cork University Hospital is 50%. Half of people are able to access this service. The figure had reached 70% at one point, but it has decreased to 50%.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Two issues were raised that relate to policy rather than to resources. There has been a policy change to ensure people can be released to pursue professional development within nursing and midwifery. Do the progression scales and increments ensure that people are rewarded and have a progression model-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----into clinical practice as well as into management? That relates to midwifery. It is a policy thing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It would be training and management.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I know we are finishing but there was a point that was not addressed. Perhaps I could follow up on that. It was the question of neonatal nursing and that there may be inadequate training in that. Parallel with that is postnatal care. I know there is a question of perinatal psychological resources, which are crucial within the picture.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I join my colleagues in offering the warmest of congratulations to Martin Groves. He has been exemplary in the support he has given to us all, especially the Senators who are new to the Chamber. I wish him every happiness in and enjoyment of his new role and I know that he will perform it wonderfully. I am not going to reiterate all the points that have been made regarding concerns about...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (31 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I recognise that amendment No. 3 has been ruled out of order. At this point, I would like to reserve the right to reintroduce further amendments in respect of this area on Report Stage. This area touches on and is complementary to some of the other amendments which were raised by Senator Warfield, and I recognise he has withdrawn his amendments. Having campaigned very passionately on the...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (31 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for her response. I acknowledge that one of the strong features of the Bill is that it recognises the family unit as including step-parents, which I very much welcome, and all forms of partnership. Of course, we are moving past recognising civil partnerships now to recognising marriage between same-sex couples and the full diversity of the family unit. My point relates...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (31 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 5:In page 10, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following:“(8) In circumstances where practicable and possible and where the parties agree, provision for an open adoption should be considered.”. This amendment deals with an open adoption model. In many parts of the world we are seeing a shift towards open adoption and it is something that has been...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (31 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We are legislators and should not be afraid of significant changes in legislative direction. The very fact that we are looking at these amendments now, that we have the Child and Family Relationships Act, we had the marriage equality referendum and the many other changes that we have had, reflect the fact that we do not need to be afraid of significant legislative change when it is moving in...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (31 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am withdrawing but I reserve the right to reintroduce it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (31 Jan 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am going to speak briefly in support of this amendment. I urge the Minister to consider taking it on board and to accept it. I believe it strikes a clear balance. I recognise the importance of security and stability. I recognise the importance of a timeline being set in order that we do not have children in limbo for long periods. I realise much of the positive intent in this section...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be very brief. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I commend the legislation, which we are very supportive of. It addresses a number of important key issues. I particularly welcome the measures taken in respect of those who have been identified under the thalidomide scheme, the Lourdes hospital payments scheme, the symphysiotomy scheme and of women who were residents of...

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Report Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Perhaps the Minister of State will be able to give further clarification regarding amendment No. 4 because I think it is important. I recognise that amendment No. 2 was introduced in recognition of the valid points that were made by Senator Mac Lochlainn on Committee Stage regarding the importance of keeping records. I appreciate that there was some recognition of that. I recognise that...

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Report Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: As amendments pass, line numbers and so forth change in the legislation as otherwise, every later amendment should accordingly fall. Amendments Nos. 7 to 10, inclusive, are not amending text but are inserting it. We often have a case where a new section is inserted in a Bill on Report Stage and subsequent amendments are accepted.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Report Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am not clear as to why that is the case. I do not believe that is correct.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Report Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is important. I would be quite happy to support the Government’s amendment but I would like the opportunity to vote on the insertions in the other amendments. I do not believe they need to be contradictory but can be complementary.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Report Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: These are insertions.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Report Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Will my amendment not then go in between the new lines 27 and 28?

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Report Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I obviously have great respect for our new and wonderfully esteemed Clerk so I will bow on it, but I believe this is inconsistent with some other practices.