Results 3,741-3,760 of 8,212 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (26 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It simply has to prove that it was treated unfairly or inequitably. Discriminatory treatment is only one part of the criteria. In fact, unfair and inequitable treatment is a moveable feast. It can be changed under CETA and new elements can be added to it, but one of the areas in Article 8.10.2 is that in deciding whether a company has been treated unfairly or inequitably, the question of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (26 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will not intervene again.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (26 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is clear that more scrutiny will be needed. The climate and finance committees are looking at that. From the answers that have been given, it seems that other Ministers may have pieces of the puzzle. Hopefully they will be able to tease that out in those committees as they scrutinise what is proposed. I have a question on the ECJ ruling and the suggestion to the effect that it is all...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (26 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I specifically ask about the concerns expressed in the ECJ rulings in which the court was explicit that the provisions such as the Tánaiste outlined were not adequate and that further review was needed on the dispute settlement mechanism. I ask specifically about the ECJ concerns, not the general principle of SME access.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (26 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Have there not been any actions the Tánaiste is aware of subsequent or pursuant to that ECJ ruling?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (26 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Apologies. I am happy to get anything in writing that might be useful to clarify that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Ratification of Optional Protocol: Discussion (27 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I had a few questions I wanted to come in with. In speaking to our colleagues in the Spanish Senate, I was very struck by what Senator Escudero Ortega mentioned about playgrounds and that idea of participation. Can our guests comment on the importance of those aspects that are not necessarily the basic needs? So often it can be such a struggle to access education, healthcare and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Ratification of Optional Protocol: Discussion (27 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the witness very much for his answer and examples. Could Mr. Schefer or Ms Naughton perhaps comment on the case law and the importance of a standard definition of disability in building a common body of best practice in law? I apologise if I have cut across a speaker.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Ratification of Optional Protocol: Discussion (27 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I apologise again. I did not realise I had cut across a speaker.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Ratification of Optional Protocol: Discussion (27 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Chairman and Mr. Schefer for his answer.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Protected Disclosure Legislation: Discussion (27 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the presenters. It is very interesting. I want to begin by picking up on the issue of compensatory measures. I worry that the signal that very often gets sent in Ireland is that whistleblowers get punished and that they basically carry the price of taking action and of performing that public good by highlighting an issue. Therefore, I welcome the suggestions in respect of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Protected Disclosure Legislation: Discussion (27 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have a brief follow-up on that before the compensation questions. In that regard, a very strong argument has been put forward that local elected representatives should be within the new expanded category of worker in terms of who might be protected under the Act. Will Mr. Devitt comment on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Protected Disclosure Legislation: Discussion (27 May 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am conscious that my time is up, but I have a very brief question that perhaps could be incorporated into later answers. The senior executive accountability regime is something we have talked about a lot in this committee and which is meant to be in place, whereby senior executives become individually responsible in respect of bad practice and so forth. Would the witnesses have comments,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessibility in Planning and Delivery of Transport Projects: Discussion (3 Jun 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the witnesses for their presentations and the supplementary documents, which have been useful in detailing different aspects of the programme. My questions will build on what has already been asked. If we look at what is already there, what is coming next and the new plans, is universal design part of what the NTA and TII are planning? I know it was referred to as being a part of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessibility in Planning and Delivery of Transport Projects: Discussion (3 Jun 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I know that. It is part of the Local Link service.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessibility in Planning and Delivery of Transport Projects: Discussion (3 Jun 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: My final point was about the staffing of stations. It would make an immediate difference if we had staff in stations on a busy DART line, rather than phoning to arrange the attendance of staff.

Seanad: Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2021: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will try to reduce to six minutes to allow time. I am sure we are keen to hear the Minister's response to the issues raised. I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for bringing this Bill. It is also appropriate to thank Senator Bacik. Fundamentally, this piece of legislation is part of a suite of legislation looking at the intersection between gender equality and employment...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreements) Bill 2021: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am very proud to second this Bill introduced by my colleague, Senator Ruane. I commend her and her assistant, Sebastian McAteer, on the work they have done in introducing an important piece of legislation, one that is needed internationally. It has been really remarkable to note the level of distress caused by them and the concern around the abuse of NDAs internationally that has arisen...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Apologies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2021)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I want to begin where the witnesses previously finished, which was with regard to the nitrates directive. I agree with Ms O'Neill, who stated that ultimately the emissions are the key measure and we should begin with them. The nitrates directive was mentioned as an opportunity. As I understand it, the fourth programme is due to expire at the end of this year. Is this the moment for...