Results 781-800 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Nuclear Disarmament Initiative. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister of State could handle the legislative debate by saying he is not in favour of the exception.

Decentralisation Programme. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: There will be plenty of opportunities for promotion there.

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: While I am grateful to the Minister of State, perhaps the clarification in the long reply was insufficient. After the meeting at Farmleigh, the joint statement issued by the two Governments suggested that Sinn Féin needed to confront the issue of policing once and for all. It noted that by the summer, the Governments wanted Sinn Féin to give full recognition to the PSNI for the first time...

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Does the Minister of State wish to see much of this take place before November?

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Yes.

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: On the 61 outstanding items on the Patten list, is it the Government's position that it asks Sinn Féin to make a gesture of trust and to become involved before the 61 items are completely resolved? Paradoxically, one of the items is the participation of Sinn Féin itself. Is that the position? Second, does the Minister of State view such an act of trust as being essential before November?...

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: How did it help matters for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to suggest that none of this was really that important before November?

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: That is a most worthy sentiment. The Minister for Foreign Affairs also made some other comments to the effect that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, was on a kind of electoral stunt regarding the anti-criminality campaign. I believe the phrase used was "electoralism". He more or less said that certain things get said in the run-in to an election, which was...

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Does the Minister of State agree it would be entirely helpful for him to ask his colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to clarify the issues raised by Deputy Ó Caoláin rather than leave them out there? If they are not clarified, they will become another obstacle to the decision that will be taken by the members of Sinn Féin, which should be avoided.

Human Rights Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Will the Minister of State consider increasing significantly the aid to Nepal that provides institutional assistance that is needed in the short term, such as personnel and technical assistance?

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 217: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of Ireland in relation to the expansion of settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank; the threat of unilateral action in this regard outside of the framework of the roadmap for peace; the statements which have been made in recent times by either the Government or the European Union in relation to such illegality; and if...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 221: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received a request under section 11 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, from a person or body connected with decision making on asylum applications to make inquiries or to furnish information as to the situation in Afghanistan in terms of security, stability of governance and respect for human rights, both generally and with...

Order of Business. (25 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Undertakings were given that the United Nations convention against corruption would be signed this year. When is it likely to be signed? The understanding on the human rights conventions that arise from the Good Friday Agreement was that Britain and Ireland would take the same position. Has Ireland ratified the optional protocol, the convention against torture?

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (25 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 38: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of Gaelscoileanna here; the number that are in temporary accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19889/06]

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (25 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 63: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of Educate Together schools here; the number that are in temporary accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19890/06]

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (30 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 157: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will bring forward measures for the regulation of the content of mobile phone products and services; his views on ending the self-regulation of this sector and incorporating the functions of RegTel into ComReg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20641/06]

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (30 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 163: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the consultants Deloitte and Touche and William Fry Solicitors will report on an implementation plan for the establishment of TG4 as an independent statutory body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20640/06]

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (30 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 371: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps Ireland, and the EU, will take to ensure Israel's compliance with international law in view of the Israeli Government's ongoing ignoring of calls made by the Quartet to freeze settlement expansion and the construction of the separation barrier. [20894/06]

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (30 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 372: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role the Government is playing in mobilising the Quartet to give meaning to the vision of two viable states of both Israel and Palestine; his views on whether a lack of international impartiality will ensure that peace will remain elusive in view of the fact that actions on both sides have contributed to the situation of insecurity and...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (30 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 373: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the deepening poverty levels among the Palestinian population, the Government will commit to providing the aid that had been earmarked to the Palestinian Authority, and the Government will call for a full resumption of European Union assistance. [20896/06]