Results 6,141-6,160 of 8,235 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: For limited periods of time, just to clarify.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is important to clarify that I never used the phrase “cross-contamination”. I talked about the separation of powers, which is quite different. I have huge respect for the work that we do in the Oireachtas and the political work the Government does. It is because of that respect and recognising that it is a separate role that it is important for it to be able to be done,...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: While I do not think there is an issue of confidence in relation to the Judiciary, there has been an issue of confidence and concern in relation to persons in senior roles in Government moving into other roles of influence. That is the concern. We have also had senior former members of Government telling us they are not answerable to the Standards In Public Office Commission, SIPO. In...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will speak to amendment No. 17. While I am in favour of clear measures on gender equality in general in legislation, and we have been waiting a very long time for incremental progress, there is a problem with the way in which section 12(6) is worded. That is the subsection Senator Ward is proposing to amend. It is possibly inadvertent but it addresses the fact that a number of...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister of State has not addressed the concern I highlighted. Under section 12(2), there is one nominee who is coming from the Supreme Court, the High Court or the Court of Appeal, and one who is coming from the Circuit Court or the District Court. One these is female and one is male. The danger in how the Bill is set out at the moment relates to what happens at the beginning. If it...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 18: In page 13, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following: “(4) In developing such criteria under subsection (3), the Minister shall demonstrate regard to section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons.”. I urge the Minister of State to consider between...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There are several issues and I reserve the right to table further amendments in this respect on Report Stage. Even the wording of section 13(4)(d) is weak. It refers to matters concerned with the importance of the protection of human rights and equality. There needs to be expertise and persons who can properly represent these issues. Simply stating somebody can say it is important is...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have tabled a number of amendments to section 13 which are in this grouping. I think the point in amendment No. 19 about the ranking is interesting. If it is construed as a ranking, then that becomes an issue, because having business and finance placed above the operation of the justice system seems strange if that is the case. I am concerned about the tension in subsection (4) with the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I want to formally object to the content of the Order of Business for tomorrow, Thursday, which is done in the form of a motion. Again, it is regrettable that we are seeing Bills being taken at all Stages. This Government has developed too much of an attachment to emergency legislation. I am also conscious in the case of both of these Bills, and I was on the relevant committee for one of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: If we chase getting some of the money from the arms industry, we lose our diplomatic power, which is so fundamental and which has made a difference and saved lives throughout the world.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have to finish.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This has been part of a move away from 2015, when we were rescuing people in the Mediterranean. That year, our Naval Service membership was the highest. That compares to 2017, when we saw Irish ships being brought to arms fairs.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will conclude but I suggest this is a matter of significant urgency for a House that cares about human rights.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am opposing the motion in relation to Thursday.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I may not oppose the Order of Business, but I will oppose the motion in relation to Thursday which is to be taken separately.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Surviving Cohabitant’s Pension) Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am happy to come in. This is an issue I feel strongly about. We have raised and discussed it at the Joint Committee on Gender Equality, which the Minister has mentioned. It would be regrettable if the committee, which is in place to expedite and press for action and monitor what actions are happening in respect of the many recommendations of the citizens' assembly, was in some way used...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Surviving Cohabitant’s Pension) Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Hear, hear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Given the limited time, I will speak to two issues. First, I really welcome the idea, especially at local level, of looking to how we can design either the quotas and any other incentives in a way that look to represent the diversity of women and the diversity of those who are affected by issues at local level. I am noting those points on local political participation. The National...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I forgot to ask a question to the Women on Air group. I am one of those who benefitted from the really good training and work that Women on Air has done in the past. I remember from research the women's council did many years ago that it is not just around getting access but it is also around the question of what women are asked to do when they are given space in media and broadcasting. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Youth Perspectives on the Circular Economy and COP27, including Climate Justice and Energy: Discussion (21 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank our guests for coming in. There are a million areas of interest coming out of their contributions. I will perhaps finish the sentence that Deputy Cronin was in the middle of, which is that we cannot afford an extractive model on a finite planet with competing needs. That comes through in many different points. It requires very challenging thinking about how we live together on the...