Results 5,181-5,200 of 7,975 for speaker:Joe Higgins

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: The Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, told an absolute falsehood on RTE television last night when he said that children, meaning those aged under 18, will have free water based on an allowance of 38,000 litres per year, or 104 litres per day. The Dublin region water supply project, which is sponsored by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, has noted that 148 litres...

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: I am asking him to respond. I have allowed him time to tell the truth about the situation.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: Will the Chair ask the Minister to respond?

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: Answer first the falsehood that I pointed out to the Minister-----

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: It does not. I have demonstrated already that that is not the case. It is not true.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: Will the Minister of State just answer the questions?

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: Absolutely.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: It is a total falsehood.

Nomination of Member of Government: Motion (8 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: The resignation of the Minister for Justice and Equality is an outright condemnation of the top leadership of the Fine Gael-Labour Party coalition Government. The Taoiseach; his deputy, the Tánaiste, Deputy Eamonn Gilmore, and the most senior Ministers stuck to the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, like limpets when it was already obvious that he was...

Nomination of Member of Government: Motion (8 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: -----I demonstrated in the Dáil last night that the 38,000 litre per year allowance for under 18 year olds fell 16,000 litres short of what might constitute a so-called free allowance for under 18 year olds. I will pursue with the Taoiseach next week the truth of this matter. It will not go on for months in the same way that the Taoiseach allowed the former Minister for Justice and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (13 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: 12. To ask the Taoiseach when the next debate on Northern Ireland will be held in Dáil Éireann. [10468/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (13 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: 35. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings with UK political leaders during the state visit of President Michael D. Higgins. [19933/14]

Topical Issue Debate: Water Charges Exemptions (13 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: I wanted the senior Minister here or at least the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, who were the ones who made statements last week with regard to free water for those under 18 years according to the Government scheme and to answer for the fact that every objective yardstick available to the Department shows that the allowance they have proposed does not add up to that. The Minister, Deputy...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Charges Exemptions (13 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: Of course, he cannot.

Topical Issue Debate: Water Charges Exemptions (13 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: The Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, shames herself coming in here today and engaging in deliberate obfuscation and giving me the whole policy that I did not ask for and that I am aware of. She singularly failed to address the key issue I raised, which is, that an allowance of 38,000 litres a year for an under 18 year old does not amount to what she called "free" water for children...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tax Code (27 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: 3. To ask the Minister for Finance how he reconciles the view that the income tax burden is too high on low- and middle-income workers with the Government's policy of imposing new tax burdens on the same cohort, with the property tax on workers' homes and water charges; and if he will report on the income tax increases that would be equivalent to these new burdens for average workers. [23226/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tax Code (27 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: Can the Minister reconcile the view that the tax burden on low- and middle-income workers is far too high with the fact that the Government is imposing other savage taxes, including on people's homes and water? Can he explain the contradiction?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tax Code (27 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: I am concerned about the effect on the lives of ordinary working people. The Minister has not answered my question on this. The reality is that, for workers on modest incomes, the property and water taxes will in a short period amount to anything from €1,000 upwards. This is a massive new austerity burden on their shoulders. At the same time, the Minister pretends to make a virtue...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tax Code (27 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: That is pathetic; they do not pay tax because the Minister could not with any decency demand tax from them to allow them to have some kind of a decent life. Those on low and middle incomes do pay tax. I agree with having a progressive income tax system, but, while those on low and middle incomes cannot take any more, the Minister refuses to tax wealth. Based on 2012 figures for the big...

Return to Writ: Dublin West - Introduction of New Member (27 May 2014)

Joe Higgins: I am sure the days following on will not be as serene and friendly as this moment, but sufficient for this day is the joy thereof. Ar an gcéad dul síos, céad mile buíochas do muintir Baile Átha Cliath Thiar. I express the deepest appreciation of the Socialist Party and the Anti-Austerity Alliance to the people of Dublin West for sending the former Councillor Ruth...