Results 581-600 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Finance Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: In the short time available to me I wish to raise a few fundamental questions about the Finance Bill. Debate on the Finance Bill is one of those very few occasions when Members have the opportunity to ask questions or reflect on the performance of the economy and particularly the relationship of the economy to society. This afternoon we have had a type of outing by Fianna Fáil backbenchers...

Written Answers — Foclóir Béarla-Gaeilge: Foclóir Béarla-Gaeilge (8 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 133: To ask the Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta leis an bhfoclóir Béarla-Gaeilge ag Foras na Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [4413/06]

Written Answers — An Teanga Gaeilge: An Teanga Gaeilge (8 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 163: To ask the Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a bheidh na 330,000 téarma nua Gaeilge atá le cur ar fáil ag Coiste Téarmaíochta Fhoras na Gaeilge ullamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [4410/06]

University College Galway (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (9 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Is mian liom cúpla focal a rá ar an reachtaíocht seo. Níl éinne i gcoinne an athraithe bhunúsaigh atá ag tarlú sa reachtaíocht. Is é an rud atá á dhéanamh ná aon seans a sheachaint go gcuirfí i leith an choláiste — nó na hollscoile, mar atá sé faoi láthair — go raibh sé ag baint mí-úsáide as an nGaeilge i leith ceapachán do phoist éagsúla sa choláiste féin. I...

University College Galway (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Tá sé tábhachtach go ndéanaim soiléir ar son Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre nach bhfuil muid ag déanamh aon iarrachta éalúó spriocanna atá leagtha síos sa teideal mar a bhí sé. An dóigh cheart chun é a chur i gcrích ná glacadh leis an phlean straitéiseach. I leasuithe eile, tá mé ag athrú an commitment maidir le liostanna de na haidhmeanna éagsúla sa dóigh is go mbeidh sé...

University College Galway (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Tá deacracht faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla cionn is go bhfuil sé leagtha síos mar alt gur féidir le hinstitiúid ar bith iarratas a chur isteach gan bac leis an dualgas san Acht. In other words, the capacity is expressly stated in the Official Languages Act, that an institution involved may make an application to be removed from the obligation that falls on it in regard to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (9 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 16: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department's investigation into the circumstances in which a number of civil servants are reported to have accessed the personal welfare records of a person (details supplied) has been completed; if any action has been taken on foot of the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4709/06]

Written Answers — Employment Policy: Employment Policy (9 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 59: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views of the recent report from the OECD that suggests that the current statutory retirement age should be scrapped and that people, in certain circumstances, should be permitted to work until 85; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4708/06]

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 147: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made to date in 2006 to recruit, train and register the estimated 2,000 energy rating assessors required to carry out inspections as set down in the EU energy performance building directive; and when the register of energy rating assessors is due to be operational. [5298/06]

Order of Business. (15 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur i dtaca le dhá Bhille. An bhfuil sé intuigthe ag an bpointe seo nach mbeidh aon Bhille againn um Údaras na Gaeltachta chun a fheidhmeanna a leathnú? An bhfuil sé intuigthe chomh maith nach mbeidh aon reachtaíocht ag cur neamhspleáchas TG4 i gcrích i gcaitheamh thréimhse an Rialtais seo? An féidir leis an Taoiseach ráiteas a dhéanamh air sin?

Order of Business. (15 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I also asked, in respect of the autonomy of TG4, whether legislation promised to establish the company on an independent basis will be introduced.

Official Languages Act 2003: Motion. (15 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Tá áthas orm go bhfuil cúpla nóiméad agam chun cúpla ní a rá ar an ábhar seo. Aontaím go hiomlán le mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Ó Sé, nuair a iarrann sé go mbeadh seans againn tuarascáil an Choimisinéara, an tUas. Seán Ó Cuirreáin, don mbliain 2004 a phlé, mar tá a lán moltaí dearfacha, fiúntacha inti. Tá súil agam go mbeidh an díospóireacht sin againn roimh i...

Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (15 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Did the Leas-Cheann Comhairle say that amendment No. 1 is out of order?

Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (15 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: It is not appropriate for me to question the basis of the decision.

Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (15 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 2: In page 3, to delete lines 13 to 21 and substitute the following: 2.—The Principal Act is amended by substituting the following for section 39— 39.—In this Part— 'organisation to which this Part applies' means an international organisation, community or body standing designated for the time being by order under section 40 of this Act; 'Vienna Convention' means...

Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (15 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister may be slightly confused because we have moved between two amendments. I ask him to answer my question about the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which is important, as is the signature of the instrument for the International Court of Justice. I take the point about the textual nature of amendment No. 2. I was urging a move away from the slavish interpretation of the...

Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (15 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: What about the instrument for the International Court of Justice?

Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (15 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 3: In page 4, to delete lines 45 to 53 and in page 5, to delete lines 1 to 11 and substitute the following: 6.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), every order made under Part VIII immediately before the passing of this Act is hereby confirmed save to the extent that such order has been revoked prior to that date. (2) The following orders are revoked: (a) the INTELSAT...

Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (15 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: The decision referred to is worthy of referral with regard to its constitutional significance. With respect, the Minister of State is making matters worse by saying that he has achieved textual consistency. I repeat my charge with regard to the amendment. It is much better to set out the orders separately and with clarity. The question arises of whether imperfections are being included. If,...

Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (15 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: It is important to clarify the delegation.