Results 321-340 of 346 for speaker:Jim Higgins

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

Jim Higgins: I was subjected to a verbal onslaught by the Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

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

Jim Higgins: In making that onslaught the Minister should have spelt out in clear detail what steps there are for redesignation.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Oct 2005)

Jim Higgins: One of the last items of legislation dealt with in the Seanad and Dáil was the Garda Síochána Bill 2004. The establishment of an ombudsman commission to replace the discredited Garda Complaints Board is an integral part of this Bill. The ombudsman commission has still not been established. I received a letter from a constituent during the week in which he complained that his case has now...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Higgins: I join with the other speakers in supporting the call for a long debate on what happened on Saturday. I commend Senator Maurice Hayes, in particular. When people were going in different directions because of the short timespan, he wrote an excellent article on his analysis of what happened and where we should be going. He will make a valuable input to the debate in this House. On the issue of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Higgins: Two weeks ago in the other House, the Fine Gael leader, Deputy Kenny, raised with the Taoiseach the possibility of an agreement between all parties to my relinquishing my Seanad seat in order to give it to a representative of the Irish emigrant community. These are a forgotten people, the Irish diaspora, to whom we pay an amount of lip service.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Higgins: The Taoiseach's reply was civilised and generous. Last week, the same issue was raised by the Fine Gael leader in this House, Deputy Brian Hayes. In contrast, the reaction from the Leader of the House was far from generous. She was very ungracious and feline in what she said. She spoke about me getting a wadge of money and not being here. First, I am here when I can be. When I am here, I have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Higgins: Fourth, when I have something to say, I will do so, as I will do on the Adjournment this evening.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Higgins: I have one more point to make.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Higgins: I am never afraid to put my head above the parapet when I speak in this House and, unlike certain people, to take stands on contentious issues such as rendition. Some Members have been a disgrace in this regard. They are cowardly.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Higgins: What allegations?

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Higgins: The Leader can give it out but she cannot take it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Higgins: That is the Leader inside out. She is brilliant at giving it out but she cannot take it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Higgins: I have no problem with that.

Seanad: Marine Accidents. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Higgins: Thank you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, for selecting this matter for the Adjournment. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, to the House and congratulate him on his new appointment. The fishing vessels lost at sea scheme was introduced by the then Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Fahey. The scheme was launched in June 2001. The closing date for receipt of applications...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2006)

Jim Higgins: I agree with Senator Ormonde that this Chamber is a suitable venue to debate what is happening in Europe. Members of the European Parliament who are not Members of the Oireachtas are ex officio members of the Joint Committee on European affairs and can attend those meetings. The problem is the rostering of the meetings. It is generally agreed that there was a useful exchange before the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2006)

Jim Higgins: There is a big difference between what is happening in Spain and what is happening in this country. This country has a foreign occupier but Spain does not; it is an internal problem and should be resolved at Spanish level.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2006)

Jim Higgins: Members raised the attempt to block the Taoiseach addressing the European Parliament. I dissociate myself from that. I had no hand, act or part in it.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2006)

Jim Higgins: Irish Members of the European Parliament pride ourselves on collectively wearing the green jersey as much as possible in Europe and seek to leave our political divisions at home. If somebody of that stature wants a right of audience, we should——

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2006)

Jim Higgins: It has been raised. Finally, I agree with Senator Norris that this country has a habit of signing up, willy-nilly, to accords, protocols and agreements. Ireland, along with 34 other rich nations, signed up to the Kyoto Protocol but we walked away from our commitments regarding the 5% reduction on the 1990 emission levels. This must be addressed and I agree wholeheartedly with the excellent...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Jim Higgins: The Health and Safety Authority was established by legislation put through this and the other House. It is generally accepted that it is doing an excellent job in terms of supervising employers, helping to eliminate workplace accidents and so on. Two years ago the Health and Safety Authority decided that it would use its supervisory powers to inspect roadworks being carried out by local...