Results 361-380 of 431 for speaker:Lorraine Higgins

Seanad: Europe Day and European Commission Work Programme: Statements (7 May 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I am delighted to get this first opportunity to address the Minister of State since he was appointed to ministerial office. I am also glad of the opportunity to discuss this matter. I have a special affiliation with Europe having run as a candidate in last year's European Parliament elections. I would like to begin by highlighting that Europe Day, on 9 May, will mark 65 years since the...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I am calling for a debate on carers and the key role they play in our communities, providing vital support to the vulnerable in our society. This support is perhaps the most valuable of all work, giving dignity, security and comfort to those in need. Regrettably, over several budgets, their income has been reduced, which has placed many carers and their clients in difficult situations and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (26 May 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: Gaelscoil Iarfhlatha in Tuam is seeking clarity on the matter of its proposed new school building. As far back as 2012 the school community was assured that a new school building would be delivered, as promised, in 2015. However, I am advised that there is no sign of this happening. Instead, according to the most recent updates from the Department, the project has not yet passed the site...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (26 May 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I appreciate the Minister of State's response but in my view it is a non-response. It has not shed any light on the question I raised. There is an urgent need to expedite the building of the school and the site acquisition in the first place. I ask that the Department would deal assiduously with the issues that have been raised. It is very important for the Department to consider a...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I wish to raise an issue with regard to the terms and conditions of the new beef genomics scheme created by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The issue is unique in nature because a huge majority of farmers in County Galway do not wish to participate in it. Under the scheme farmers will be given money, but they do not want it because they fear the terms and conditions of...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I raised the matter because the scheme will close quite soon and, therefore, it is important to extend the deadline. It is also important that the Minister come in here to discuss the matter. We have a situation in which farmers will be penalised in the short term but the State will be penalised in the long term if farmers pursue a legal action through the courts. I want a debate arranged...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Second Stage (28 May 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his very detailed and informative submission, which went through the various provisions of the Act. It is very good to hear other speakers refer to their relevance in current times. I thank Senators Norris and Byrne for that. I welcome the opportunity to lead the debate on behalf of the Labour Party in the Seanad and to contribute to this...

Seanad: Yeats 2015: Statements (9 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I am delighted to speak in the House today ahead of Yeats Day 2015. As has been mentioned by several of my colleagues, this earmarks the 150th anniversary of W.B. Yeats's birth, a man who is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest poets the English language has ever known. What a gift his poetry and legacy have been to the people of Ireland, capturing the myths and beauty of our...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I am calling for a debate on zero-hour contracts as there is no doubt such contracts are bad for the Exchequer. There is a swindle of Irish taxpayers by multi-million euro companies that is going completely under the radar. This relates to large companies using zero-hour contracts to employ staff who in turn must supplement their incomes through social welfare benefits. Zero-hour contracts...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: Low pay, as part of the zero-hour contract issue, stifles our economy and stunts taxes coming to the Exchequer. This results in more Government borrowing, which we simply cannot afford. In effect, it is the taxpayer who is indirectly supplementing the incomes of the low-paid while subsidising the wage bill of employers. It sickens me to see companies that pimp the green colour on brands...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: Sinn Féin does not have the monopoly on this issue.I call on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to come into the Seanad-----

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: -----so we can debate this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: A debate would afford us an opportunity to look for solutions-----

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: -----and to properly thrash it out. Sinn Féin does not have a monopoly on the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I have called for a debate and hope that we will get one now.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: Sinn Féin can shout outside the Chamber all they want.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I am trying to get a real solution for people.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I raise the issue of the need for a dedicated eating disorder specialist unit. According to the Eating Disorder Association of Ireland, Bodywhys, up to 200,000 people in Ireland may be affected by eating disorders. An estimated 400 new cases occur each year and there are up to 80 related deaths annually. These illnesses affect women and men of all ages and from all walks of life. In light...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I raise a number of issues relating to the nursing homes sector which need to be addressed immediately in the interests of the work and services they provide not only to occupants and service users but also to the State. In particular, we require a debate as a matter of urgency, and for time to be set aside for the Minister for Health to attend the House to discuss issues relating to the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Natural Gas Grid (30 Jun 2015)

Lorraine Higgins: I request the Minister for Energy, Communications and Natural Resources to explore additional funding streams in order to provide for the roll-out of natural gas areas of strategic importance. Extending our gas network requires Government-level support and an obvious starting point would be to use some of the profits from the sale of the Bord Gáis energy division to bring gas to our...