Results 341-360 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Arms Trade. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Is the Minister in a position to comment on the complete review of the 1998 European Union code of conduct on arms sales? Will he also comment on the significance of the support by 13 countries at the recent meeting at the United Nations for such a treaty? Is it of concern to him that one third of all arms deals in the world now come from the European Union? With the enlarged EU, more than...

Arms Trade. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Is the Minister concerned that the amount of funds committed to development is about 5% of the annual expenditure on armaments? Some EU countries, including participants in the recent Edinburgh summit, are major exporters of arms, in particular to African countries and sources of conflict. It is not a matter of export being a neutral measure. Arms make their way to third countries through,...

Arms Trade. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Despite the prohibition on export of arms to Zimbabwe, the export of 66 four-wheel trucks was defended by the Austrian Government on the basis that they were not fitted out with guns and combat equipment. Does the Minister agree that is a breech of the fundamental principle of the limited ban introduced by the EU regarding Zimbabwe?

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I visited in the past few weeks, for the second time this year, the area to which the questions nominated by me refer. I was referring specifically to the recently recognised town of Ma'ala Adumim, which was founded in 1975 and which has a population of 25,000. The conclusions of the meeting on 3 October to which the Minister referred make no reference to the illegality of the expansion of...

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: When I left Ramallah, it was clear that the military orders had been made for the possession of what was regarded as state land. What is effectively being extended beyond east Jerusalem is half the size of Paris. The net effect will be to cut off on the north side of the south axis any possibility of a viable Palestinian state. There is no indication in any talks that Israel intends either to...

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Will the Minister agree to bring a proposal to the general council that an official of the European Union should be appointed to monitor the human rights clauses in the association agreement?

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Yes, of Foreign Ministers.

Educational Disadvantage. (11 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 10: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will publish her detailed proposals on addressing educational disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27654/05]

Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: On the occasion of its 25th anniversary Údarás na Gaeltachta stated it would welcome the conferral of additional powers. Will the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill be brought before the House in this session or this year?

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (11 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 47: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will review her Department's entire approach to the teaching and examining of Irish in light of worrying reports on falling standards in both Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27652/05]

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 223: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in the investigation of the death of a person (details supplied) in Saudi Arabia in August 2004; the requests the Government has made to the Saudi Arabian authorities for an investigation in relation to this matter, the progress that has been made with such request; and his views on whether the reasonable request, made...

Order of Business. (12 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Will the Government make time available to discuss the earthquake in Asia and the international response to it?

Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this legislation. I welcome aspects of the Bill but I would have preferred if the House were discussing this legislation along with or following the Government's proposals for an immigration and residence Bill. I see areas of overlap between the functions of the two Departments and between the two Bills. A practical problem arises from the drafting of...

Written Answers — Prospecting Licences: Prospecting Licences (12 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 178: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if measures will be brought forward to reform the licensing and exploration system for regulating the exploitation of natural resources here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27896/05]

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 186: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the details on the terms of the contract to operate the metropolitan area network; the methods in place to invigilate the performance of the operating company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27873/05]

Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: When will Ireland ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which, having achieved the appropriate number of ratifications, will come into effect on 15 December? Does the Government intend to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families? Ireland has ratified neither. Only two European countries, Hungary...

Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister for fornica——

Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated in a letter to me that he had written to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which, I am sure, was a suitable correspondence between the two Ministers. He had asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to indicate when the legislation would be prepared. Can the Tánaiste find out from the Minister for Justice, Equality and...

Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I apologise for my misuse of language which was a consequence of Ireland's loss in yesterday's soccer match.

Natural Disasters in Asia and Central America: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the current position in Pakistan and the tragedies unfolding in Central America. I join others who have offered their sympathy to the President and people of Pakistan and to the ambassador here. I also warmly welcome the indications of assistance from the Government so far. What has struck everybody is the vulnerability, in particular, of remote villages...