Results 3,321-3,340 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: I realise there are many sections about which people feel strongly and I hope we will be able to get to at least some of them.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: I have only said two or three sentences so far.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: My point relates directly to what the Minister has just said. I will be brief and I hope my point is understood. The whole thrust of our approach is that in the present circumstances, as many Deputies have mentioned, the Minister had an opportunity of recasting our approach towards social protection. I have said with regard the budget and other matters that we should attempt to establish a...
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: There was an alternative. The Government could have pursued this money through taxation or by reconfiguration with regard to forms of capital expenditure. However, the most important thing of all, which must be admitted even by people on the Government side and those who support the Government, is that there was an opportunity for an entirely new departure in social protection. Let the...
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Question 29: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his view on the appropriateness of the position of Dean of the Diplomatic Corps being filled, not on a rotational basis as prevails in most countries; the appropriateness of the prevailing arrangements; the details of the recent meetings with the representatives of the Holy See; the details of the meeting sought by the Papal Nuncio with...
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Let me begin, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, with the last reference of the Minister to "shock and dismay". It is rather hard to accept that, given that the information in the Murphy report was available to the Vatican, although it chose not to act upon it, respond to it or assist in any response by others to it. There were four elements to my question. I am aware that the papal nuncio's assuming...
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: No. It is on the periphery.
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Exactly.
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Given that the Minister describes the arrangements that prevail with regard to the diplomatic corps as ceremonial, is he open to the suggestion that it is time to change them? I wish to take further the point regarding the relationship between the head of a faith and a state. I raised this issue because of the extraordinary view of Cardinal Connell that there is secrecy involved in the...
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: That is not an option I admire at all. It is more of a Cork thing, really.
- Middle East Peace Process. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.
- Middle East Peace Process. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: No Israeli journalists have been there for 12 months.
- Debt Relief. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: The Minister of State referred to the World Bank initiative. Is he concerned at the high proportion of odious debt that remains in the outstanding debt of the southern countries referred to in the question? The World Bank is insisting on interest repayments from countries indebted by dictators, for example, Nigeria in 1995-2000, â¬15 billion - â¬1.5 billion in 23 London banks, â¬600...
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: It is a very happy outcome that Fr. Michael Sinnott has been released since the matter of his captivity was raised on the Adjournment some weeks ago. He was very impressive when we met him. The graciousness of his response, his courage and his commitment to the people, to whom he is to return in January, are admirable. With regard to the murder of a Kiltegan Father in Kenya, it is very...
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: It is an issue we will address sometime.
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Absolutely.
- Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Question 269: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding discussions between the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Iranian Government. [47176/09]
- Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Question 272: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views, following one of the conclusions of the Goldstone report, on whether there is an immediate and urgent environmental threat to the citizens of Gaza and their Israeli neighbours from the contamination of water, pollution, and release of raw sewage into the adjoining sea; the action that the European Union and he will take to...
- Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Question 273: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding loss of life in Afghanistan; his views on the suggestion that the second surge of troops is the correct course of action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47180/09]
- Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Question 50: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the Papal Nuncio being the dean of the diplomatic corps while it is the case elsewhere that the longest serving ambassador fills such a position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46850/09]