Results 6,801-6,820 of 8,235 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am happy for it to be taken but I am looking for further information.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Not be taken today.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Of course, nobody wants to obstruct the sharing of information relating to the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes or terrorist offences, but it would be useful to have more information and guarantees on how this regulation will be used. I would like a briefing from the Government clarifying that it will not become a mechanism used solely to screen or limit intra-EU migration but...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Second Stage (19 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister will have heard from all sides of the House our expectation that he will engage on and improve the Bill. In regard to the wider picture, he will recall that following the publication of the report of the mother and baby homes commission, points that had been made in the Seanad led to a slightly better approach to the access to records. As was outlined by others, however, that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) Bill 2023 (18 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the director for her presentation and for the discussion thus far. We are in the process of examining the approach Ireland takes to implementing these measures. The director said that the Commission has had indications from member states of the approaches they intend to take and it would be very useful to get a sense of the approach that others are taking. Deputy Smith...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) Bill 2023 (18 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is in 2029 though. Am I right?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) Bill 2023 (18 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: So it is just one year before we are magically going to exit. It just seems a little long of a-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: First, I second the proposed amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 21 be taken before No. 1. The other issue I want to highlight is announcements this week by Western Sahara Resource Watch, which published its tenth in a row detailed annual overview of the companies involved in the purchase of phosphates from occupied Western Sahara. The illegally exported and exploited phosphate...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: A small point I would make-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Thank you. It is a very small point in regard to the housing piece. I am delighted with anything that pushes vacant properties into use, but I am very concerned that we have been waiting a long time with the carrots when we have sticks that have not been used adequately. The 0.3% vacant house levy is deeply inadequate. Back in 2017, in the Seanad, we proposed a much higher levy.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The collection in regard to derelict housing is not happening. If we are debating it, and I have heard others raising the issue of housing policy, we need to look to the sticks as well as the carrots.

Seanad: Electoral Reform (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Motion to Discharge Order for Second Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I second that.

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motion (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Department for the helpful briefing document that was forwarded to us. I had raised some questions on these matters. I am noting, as the Minister of State has indicated himself, that the proposal being discussed today is part of a twin set of proposals published in December last year, both of which relate to the new rules around the sharing of advance passenger information. One...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, to delete lines 20 to 22 and substitute the following: “ “(c) each subsequent successive period of 3 years, or earlier if the Minister deems appropriate, beginning on the commencement of section 2 of the Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Act 2023.”.”. Amendment No. 1 seeks to remove the amendment of section 2 of the...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have concerns around how section 4(b) intersects with section 7 in the context of ensuring transparency. I and others have amendments to do with transparency in later sections but I hereby give an advance signal that I may bring forward amendments to this section on Report Stage. The provision concerns a situation in which a person is a body that has no full-time employees and is...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would also look to expand on this area. There are valid points but there are also some concerns, which we can see highlighted. For example, it is important that we do not have measures used as an attempt to create a chilling effect in advocacy on NGOs or civil society. Ireland has been a strong champion for the role of civil society as part of democracy internationally. However, we have...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wish to indicate my full support. This is a very important amendment. It is an example of an area where we cannot afford to get it wrong. We cannot afford come back in five years' time, for example, to discover that the legislation as it was drafted has not been sufficient to protect against this kind of fossil fuel lobbyist. Every year matters and I believe this is an opportunity to...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I do not believe that is required but I would be very happy to.

Seanad: Public Water Connection Charges: Motion (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: First, I want to indicate my support and that of my colleagues in the Civil Engagement Group for this motion from the Green Party. It is welcome, important and the suggestions it makes are very practical. As Senator Boylan has just pointed out, it is important we and the motion recognise that water is not simply a commodity but in fact a human right, and access to clean and safe drinking...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 May 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Thank you very much, a Chathaoirligh. I echo Senator Ó Donnghaile's points on the western rail corridor. I note the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action also called for a complete reassessment of the cost-benefit approach previously used and to look to the very real and significant benefits we have seen wherever rail is created. The fact is there is a pull and not just a...