Results 621-640 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: It will find it difficult.

Overseas Development Aid. (22 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Is he concerned that many of the eight millennium development goals will not be reached in Africa? Perhaps the Minister of State can give me the information again in another way. While progress is made in universal primary education, the level of funds required is greater than the funds pledged. In the case of some of the millennium development...

Overseas Development Aid. (22 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Regarding the Minister of State's reference to the Higher Education Authority, is he in favour or does he have practical proposals and a timescale for the establishment of a human rights specialism? I support the interactive nature of human rights and development modules. Instead of existing staff attending existing development courses, does he favour the establishment of a human rights...

Overseas Development Aid. (22 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: We should ratify the UN convention.

Foreign Conflicts. (22 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: My reason for tabling this question is based on the conflicting messages emerging about Afghanistan. I put it to the Minister that 2005 was the bloodiest year in recent times in Afghanistan, with 1,600 people dying in conflicts of one type or another, including more than 90 US soldiers and 31 aid workers. I do not intend to be deliberately negative, but in my question I asked whether the...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (22 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 235: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to respond to an inquiry from Amnesty International as to the status of a recent report prepared by diplomatic missions of the EU in Ramallah and Jerusalem in regard to the present position in Israel and the occupied terrorities, including proposals for breaking the impasse in regard to peace; if the report will be published;...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31. (23 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: In accordance with the terms of Standing Order 31, I wish to seek the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring attention, namely, the urgent need for the Dáil to debate the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and, in particular, the calling of an international conference sponsored by the United Nations so as to avoid...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31. (23 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Before proceeding, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, it would be worth requesting the committee that rules our proceedings, the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, to define the term "urgency". It is reasonable to speculate on how many people must die in an imminent civil war before you would regard it as urgent. I find these rulings quite absurd.

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31. (23 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Perhaps the Government Whip will indicate when he intends to provide time for a full debate on this matter. We should not wait for a religious-based civil war to emerge. Nor should we wait, because the European Union is inactive, to deal substantially with the impasse that has arisen in Palestine, including the occupied areas of Gaza, east Jerusalem and the West Bank. Quite frankly, I find...

Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. I welcome those changes which the Minister proposes. It is only proper that I would so. I also acknowledge some of the structural reforms which are particularly welcome. I welcome the increase in child benefit and respite care, the raising of the income threshold for one-parent family payments, and the extension of the duration of carer's...

Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister has departed from his market model in an extreme sense and he appears to be moving in the direction of an alternative model. I suggest the best way to approach social policy is from the model of citizenship. From a model of citizenship one will immediately find oneself moving towards the choice between the three options I specified earlier and going towards accepting the...

Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I give the Minister notice that when I resume my contribution I will deal with habitual residence, and the particular position of anomalous working conditions and atypical workers and artists. The Minister has perhaps taken some of my suggestions on board.

Written Answers — EU Battle Groups: EU Battle Groups (23 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 25: To ask the Minister for Defence the arrangements that have been made to allow for the participation of Irish troops in EU battle groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7170/06]

Order of Business. (28 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Last week I asked if Government time would be made available to debate the deteriorating circumstances in the Middle East in general and in Iraq and Gaza in particular. Does the Taoiseach favour the provision of time for such a debate?

Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (28 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Previously I spoke about what might be the framing philosophy of a social welfare system. I drew attention to the great choices there were in the founding of the welfare state in Britain and the argument that followed it several decades later. The welfare state in Britain came into existence for a specific set of historical purposes, but I drew the Minister's attention to the main principles...

Written Answers — Private Sector Debt: Private Sector Debt (28 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 114: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on reports (details supplied) that Ireland is set to become the most indebted country in the eurozone, with private sector debt anticipated to amount to 200% of GNP before the end of 2006, and credit rising by 29% per year. [7893/06]

Written Answers — Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme: Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (28 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 99: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the 23% rise in complaints against the insurance sector and credit institutions to the Financial Services Ombudsman in 2005. [7892/06]

Written Answers — European Social Charter: European Social Charter (28 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 293: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason Ireland has not fulfilled its reporting obligations under the European Social Charter since 2004, as charged in recent public statements by the charter's supervisory committee, the European Committee on Social Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7784/06]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (28 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 302: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to the social welfare entitlements of returned development workers, including missionaries, and in particular, in relation to the definition of habitual residence in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7785/06]

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (28 Feb 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 401: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on such actions which have been taken by his Department or by the Garda Síochána in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Galway with particular reference to allegations of that person having been interviewed on two separate occasions, once at Howth Garda station and once at...