Results 8,021-8,040 of 8,235 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: To add another specific concern on section 40, there is a question of who is electing in terms of the Oireachtas. There is also the fundamental question of allowing the full constituency to have the opportunity in relation to a by-election or a casual vacancy. There is also the fundamental question of who is eligible for consideration for election and that is where a situation arises where...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 43: In page 23, line 19, to delete “60” and substitute “8”. Amendments Nos. 43, 47 and 50 all relate to the fact we are making the bar for the person standing for election to the Seanad higher. As I say, the electoral process is not just those who vote, it is those who stand. The bar has been raised to a different degree so instead, I...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Similarly, I note again in relation to section 40, it is a disservice to democracy that we deny the opportunity to persons to put themselves forward for election in the case of a casual vacancy or by-election. These are backward steps for democracy and it is deeply regrettable they are in the Bill.

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be brief. I am proud to co-sponsor the Bill brought forward by Senator Martin. It is a really good piece of work. I hope it is speeded through the Lower House. It will affect every corner and hedgerow across Ireland. If we look to something with wide-reaching implications, it is this legislation. Senator Martin mentioned two halves in terms of the Seanad and the Dáil but...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I pick up where Senator Warfield finished, which was on education. Concerns have been expressed in the House about education. One of the key tools is education that reflects the experiences of minorities in the State and the fact that there is gender, sexuality and ethnic diversity, as well as all the other categories discussed in terms of protected characteristics. That understanding and...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Excuse me, that is quite a significant accusation to make. Earlier, there was reference to particular organisations and their engagement in school training.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I support these proposals by Senators Gavan and Warfield. In the context of the EU directive on work-life balance, the minimum for parental leave is two months or nine weeks. Nine weeks is the narrowest interpretation of two months. Of course, that is supposed to be the absolute minimum standard but Ireland should be doing better than the minimum required standard under the directive. We...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on COP29 (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Chair. I want to come in on a few of the issues. I understand it is very important that Ireland will have this responsibility in having a key role in some of the finance aspects that are to be discussed and with regard to adaptation in particular. I have a couple of questions about the NCQG. As I understand it, this is one of the big issues that will be discussed - the idea...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on COP29 (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: What of the loss and damage subtarget?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on COP29 (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister mentioned €225 million as our share, but our share of the $100 billion has been estimated to be in excess of $400 million. We have a situation where a loan given to a developing country is required to be repaid in full whereas the debt as regards moneys promised but not delivered - Ireland should be giving $400 million per annum as part of the original $100 billion...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on COP29 (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Are others indicating to come in?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on COP29 (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will come in for another round, if I may.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on COP29 (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister mentioned the polluter-pays principle. That often seems to be somewhat at odds with some of the narrative on de-risking. I recall there was tension at the COP between de-risking versus loss and damage, on the basis that de-risking often involves the routing of public finance into exactly the private actors, for example, very large energy companies and banks, that had driven and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on COP29 (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: To be clear, should it include military emissions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on COP29 (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have to come in on two issues. On the question of de-risking, it is a matter of how public moneys are used. It is not whether there should be action in respect of private finance but how public money is routed towards private companies, which is a slightly different issue. It is not about de-risking nationally. There is a factual issue I have to come in on because there was a suggestion...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on COP29 (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----that factually, there are measures in the Act that are available to commercial actors. That is not the same question as whether the State chooses to develop its own terminal. The fact is that any actor can avail of the provisions in the Planning and Development Act, which are there in black and white.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on COP29 (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is what is in the legislation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on COP29 (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister mentioned a suite of measures relating to carbon markets. It is anticipated that there will be progress on the rules on carbon markets at the next COP. I know there is much concern that they may be weak rules. Will the Minister indicate how he plans to engage in the discussion on the carbon market rules that may be coming into place?

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I knew any amendments to this section would not be eligible because they affect money. I am sorry I was not here for the Second Stage debate. I wish the Minister well in her next endeavours. I have serious concerns about this section that I hope the Minister can address. As I understand it, the section will increase the amount that will be cut from not only jobseeker's benefit but...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I hope the Minister will address the fact. I am very concerned, especially given the previous record of concerns about how personal progression plans are applied, that we may have situations whereby we see cuts that affect people's ability to feed their family and keep their houses warm. I say that simply because the stakes can become very high. There is a very significant power imbalance...