Results 321-340 of 431 for speaker:Lorraine Higgins

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: While Cyber Monday, the busiest day of the year for online shopping, has passed, between now and Christmas Irish consumers will spend millions of euro on Internet purchases. While such shopping undoubtedly has its positives, cyber crime rates have climbed steadily over the past few years. According to a business advisory firm, Grant Thornton, cyber crime has cost the Irish economy over...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: Like so many of my colleagues here today I want to express my absolute horror at what happened at Áras Attracta in County Mayo. I am shocked, horrified and embarrassed at what I watched on "Prime Time" last night. I commend Paul Maguire and his investigation team from "Prime Time" on exposing this most shocking of human rights abuses of elderly and vulnerable people. I fully expect...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Road Safety (10 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I ask the Minister to make funds available to address a significant road safety issue at Ballydavid, Athenry, in County Galway. I have previously raised this ongoing issue both locally and nationally in the Seanad but to no avail. I cannot overemphasise how precarious the current situation is both for residents and motorists in the area. If the situation continues unchanged, it will only...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Road Safety (10 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister for his response. I accept that roads fall within the remit of Galway County Council or county councils in general, but where there are road safety issues and there have been fatalities on the road in question and in the area in question, it is not acceptable that the situation continues. I will contact the director of roads for Galway County Council to ask that he...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Roads Maintenance (11 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: Coming from rural Ireland, the Minister of State is aware of the major issue of privately owned roads and the way they have been maintained. It is important that they are maintained to remain safe and fit for purpose for all road users, pedestrians and motorists alike. The cost of maintenance is incredibly expensive and far beyond the owners' ability to pay. In 2013, a private road...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Roads Maintenance (11 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I commend the Minister on his efforts in regard to local roads, particularly private roads, and getting that scheme in place. With regard to the Minister's response, it is not enough to pit private roads against public roads. The costs are excessive for families and farmers and I strongly believe there should be a dedicated scheme in excess of the 15% on offer to cover them. I acknowledge...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I propose we suspend until 2.10 p.m.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: As I did not get an opportunity to speak on Second Stage, I wish to commend the Minister on the clarity he has brought to a cloudy situation. He has introduced fairness and ensured affordability for all customers of Irish Water. It is important to clear the air in regard to section 2. We need to forget about scaremongering because the reality is that the section guarantees public ownership...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: The Senator cannot address a Minister in that way.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: The Senator should stick to the issues.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: He was talking about Members being drunk on verbosity.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: The Senator should stick to the amendment.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: Is the Senator lobbying for her?

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: Fianna Fáil's past.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: It is up in the last three years.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (28 Jan 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I join others in expressing sincere sympathy to the family and friends of the late John Carty who packed so much into life in his 63 years. He was widely admired and respected by his colleagues and constituents. I hope these tributes will give immense pride to his wife, Kathleen; his eight children and extended family who are gathered here in what he achieved in his life, as well as...

Seanad: Overseas Development: Statements (4 Feb 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is my first opportunity to address him since he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I commend him on all the work that he has done and on all the great announcements to provide help to those less fortunate in the world. Given how integral the year 2015 will be for international development, I...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Unfinished Housing Developments (26 Feb 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State. I wish to raise a matter that is affecting a large number of residents in housing estates in my constituency of Galway East and which is replicated across the country.It relates to people being left to wait in perpetuity for their housing estates to be taken in charge by local councils. The estates face a plethora of issues ranging from building companies...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Unfinished Housing Developments (26 Feb 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the fact that the Government will support local authorities in taking estates in charge. I hope this includes financial support. Leaving the responsibility to owners, developers and receivers when there are no funds in any of their accounts is not good enough. I also welcome the fact that a Bill to streamline the taking-in-charge process will be before the Houses. However, I...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: Why is there a mortgage crisis?