Results 6,961-6,980 of 8,235 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: General Oversight of EirGrid: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is exponential

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: General Oversight of EirGrid: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: On a point of order, I find the adult conversation line quite offensive.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: General Oversight of EirGrid: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I also talked about-----

Seanad: Digital Services Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 Jan 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: As the Minister of State outlined, the Bill before us does not add to or alter the obligations placed on regulated entities by the EU Digital Services Act. This is because that is a regulation that has direct effect and impact. The purpose of this Bill is to give effect to the supervision and enforcement mechanisms in relation to it.

Seanad: Digital Services Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 Jan 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wish the students a happy St. Brigid's weekend, particularly as it is a Kildare school. This Bill will designate Coimisiún na Meán as Ireland's lead competent authority in respect of this matter. There are four systemic risks in this context. I will comment briefly in this regard. I will also probably be submitting some amendments on Committee and Report Stages to see how we...

Seanad: Family Carers: Motion [Private Members] (31 Jan 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State and the motion. The motion is a clear sign of what we need following on from the debates we had last week, when we looked at the upcoming referendums and at the question of how we, as a State, address the issue of care. It is a very good sign that Government Members are putting forward this motion and setting out a level of ambition. Two important principles...

Seanad: Death of Former Taoiseach: Expressions of Sympathy (7 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: On behalf of the Civil Engagement Group, I want to join in the expressions of sympathy to the family and friends of the former Taoiseach, John Bruton, following his passing yesterday, in particular, his wife, Finola, his children, his grandchildren, his sister and, indeed, our own colleague, Deputy Richard Bruton, who I serve with on the climate committee. As a TD, as a Minister holding many...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wish to speak to section 6. I tabled an amendment to this section, which I understand is out of order, but I wish to speak to the-----

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is on section 6, in respect of the moneys received by or on behalf of the State by way of repayment and so on.

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Okay. Apologies. The same issue arises in section 6 but I will address it in section 15.

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will speak to the issue in this section. This section looks to how funds may be utilised as they are received by the State in repayment, as outlined. In this Bill, a large amount of money is rightly directed towards supporting investment in and the reconstruction and re-establishment of Ukraine.It is appropriate that we would look at that wider context of the support that Ireland...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is good that there has been responsible engagement on the part of the Government with UNRWA and that there are no plans to diminish the support. The amendment had sought to identify other sources of funding to supplement what Ireland is currently giving to UNRWA because, if it is the case-----

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Of course. I thank the Minister of State. We can come back to this in another context. Nevertheless, it is important for Ireland to make plans to look at how we can not just continue our funding but increase it if international humanitarian responsibility requires that should a gap arise during these crucial months.

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 2: In page 14, line 25, to delete “Dáil Éireann” and substitute “both Houses of the Oireachtas”. Amendments Nos. 2 and 4 seek to address an issue with the Bill in that, as drafted, it would provide that the reporting on the functioning of these funds need be laid before only Dáil Éireann and not before both Houses of the...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am a little concerned by the reference to the NTMA. I hope this is not a signal that the State is moving away from seriousness in respect of its position regarding investment in cluster munitions. This would very much be a retrograde step, certainly given Ireland's leadership in this area. Our legislation is quite clear regarding this matter. It was framed initially in terms of the NTMA...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State. Again, it may be useful when the reports are placed before the Dáil, if not the Seanad, to indicate what kind of information will be available and will come through. This is something that is certainly important for Ireland to monitor. I accept the bona fides of the Minister of State in this regard, but we may return to the issue because I think greater...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 3: In page 14, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following: “(ii) information regarding what monies paid by the State under the Guarantee Agreement were used for, including but not limited to evidence that the monies paid by the State were not used for purposes contrary to the State’s legislative obligations related to investment, including but not...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 4: In page 16, line 28, to delete “Dáil Éireann” and substitute “both Houses of the Oireachtas”.

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 5: In page 16, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following:“(b)information regarding what payments made by the State to enable it to comply with its obligations under the MFA+ Contribution Agreement were utilised for,including but not limited to evidence that the monies paid by the State were not used for purposes contrary to the State’s legislative...