Results 321-340 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 261: To ask the Minister for Transport if provincial based civil servants who have applied under the decentralisation applications process to transfer to Loughrea will have to travel to the Department of Transport offices in Dublin for training purposes; and if so, the duration of the training and if cost of living expenses will be provided. [27062/05]

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: We would support that.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I am sure we have already had an opportunity in the parliamentary Labour Party to wish the Leas-Cheann Comhairle warm congratulations on his achieving 44 years in this House. On today's Order of Business, we are informed that questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs are scheduled for this afternoon. Will the Leas-Cheann Comhairle offer me guidance on a very important matter in this...

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I am afraid he does.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: The Chair is in the House longer than I am but I am afraid he is wrong. He does have a function.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Will the Chair place the issue as an item to be dealt with by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges? It is an abuse of the House.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: The Office of the Ceann Comhairle has a function in respecting the ordering of business and the right of spokespersons to have questions placed on the Order Paper. There is no point in advising Members to contact the Office of the Ceann Comhairle. I am asking from the floor of this House for respect for the procedures of this House. That is what is at stake. No Minister has the right——

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I have been a Minister, a member of Cabinet, but I would not have tried to engage in the racket of transferring questions arbitrarily.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Deputy Noel Dempsey would not want to provoke me, given my memories of him when I was a Minister.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: It would be very easy, yes. The Deputy was not so forthcoming then.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I am asking the Chair to place this matter on the agenda of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges as a potential and continuing abuse of the procedures of this House.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: That is the step I can take. The Chair has a step to take as well.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: It does.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: On a point of order, will my question be restored to the Order Paper? I am grateful to Deputy O'Donnell for her support.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Will the question I tabled properly as a priority question be restored to the Order Paper for answer this afternoon?

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I am informed that the Minister's information is incorrect. It is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it has been ratified and has become an international instrument. It is not a matter for that Department ——

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: The question dealt with ratification and canvassing of support for ratification to enable it. The one word that the Minister's Department is using is "implementation".

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Implementation is relevant when it is an international legal instrument.

The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act: Motion. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Mar urlabhraí ar ghnóthaí eachtracha ar son Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre, tááthas orm tacú leis an rún seo agus tá súil agam go mbeidh toradh maith ag baint leis nuair a chuirfear i gcrích é. As spokesperson of the Labour Party, I welcome this all-party motion. I also join with others in commending the initiatives of Senators Kennedy and McCain of the United States in seeking to...

Arms Trade. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he favours an arms sale treaty in this jurisdiction and in the European Union, such as would end the sale of armaments to conflict zones in the poorest regions of the world by member states of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27214/05]