Results 4,041-4,060 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Order of Business (13 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: It is in the area of legislation.

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (13 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: Question 47: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there have been any major gaps in appropriately experienced and qualified personnel to ensure that services are well managed following the recent redundancy-early retirement scheme; the measures being taken to ensure that appropriate staff are in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1545/11]

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (13 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: Question 76: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when investigations will be completed into inappropriate use of Health Service Executive funds for the SKILLS and other related programmes; the sanctions that will be taken against persons found to have misused such funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1546/11]

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (18 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: Question 70: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the success of the Dublin bike scheme; if he recognises its potential for expansion; his plans to encourage the introduction of the bike scheme into other cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2248/11]

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (19 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to contribute. When one looks at the substance of this legislation and its Title, the Bretton Woods Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2011, one cannot avoid asking the fundamental question as to what has happened to the spirit that informed the original Bretton Woods agreements. It has been one of the great moral failures of our time, although it began as a significant...

Written Answers — National Minimum Wage: National Minimum Wage (19 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: Question 107: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he intends to proceed with the provision contained in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act that allows for a reduction in the national minimum wage; the date from which it is intended to apply the reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2522/11]

Written Answers — Construction Industry: Construction Industry (19 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: Question 113: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by sub-contractors in the construction sector when main contractors go into receivership, both in regard to unpaid contracts and difficulties in retrieving equipment and tools from construction sites; his plans to provide protection for sub-contractors in this...

Order of Business (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: Will he make the announcement before he goes to the Park?

Order of Business (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: She has not. The Taoiseach should announce to the House what he intends to do.

Order of Business (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: The Taoiseach must state whether he is recommending such acceptance.

Order of Business (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: Is that person still a member of the Cabinet?

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: Sealed with a loving kiss.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: I wish Deputy O'Rourke every success with her book. I have no doubt there will be an entire chapter that will cover the day on which she hit the bell and announced the privatisation of Eircom and the disastrous consequences which flowed from this.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: It will make for fascinating reading for people who are awaiting the arrival of the postman.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: I thank the Acting Chairman. I wish first to put a question of an administrative nature to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, regarding whether he has permission from the Cabinet to accept amendments to this legislation. The issue of whether he has such permission has an impact in the context of whether Second Stage will be agreed. The Labour Party's spokesperson, Deputy McManus, has already...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: I appreciate that. However, the Minister will appreciate that there are some Ministers who have set their faces against ever accepting amendments while there are others who have accepted them. I was merely seeking clarification in respect of this matter. I wish to comment on a number of the principles underlying the Bill. The Minister is aware that I have great respect for him. I do not...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: I agree, and I wish this kind of dialogue could happen more often. I am well aware of the difference between the irrationality of markets in assets. We could have added the total irrationality of markets in virtual assets such as those which have brought the banking system to its knees and brought our economy to the point at which we have lost economic sovereignty. Equally, this is quite...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: The Deputy would be very welcome.

EU Free Trade Agreements (20 Jan 2011)

Michael D Higgins: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the monitoring and implementation measures that will prevail in support of any human rights clauses which may be imposed as conditions in any EU - Colombia Agreement on trade or other matters; if he will further indicate the similarities between this treaty and similar treaties signed by the EU and indicate any such further additional...