Results 861-880 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Human Rights Issues: Motion (Resumed). (14 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Would the Deputy include the CIA?

Human Rights Issues: Motion (Resumed). (14 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to this debate. I will begin by referring to the speech of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern. Half his speech last night concentrated on recent events in Shannon Airport that were not germane to the main business of this motion. The event that took place at Shannon Airport involving a US marine who was in transit from Iraq to the...

Human Rights Issues: Motion (Resumed). (14 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: We are not in a position to say that we are not involved in the process because we have chosen not to know. Again, I speak about a matter of fact. The Chicago Convention, which governs the international passage of civilian aircraft, is very clear. It does not prohibit us from examining any aeroplanes. The Air Navigation and Transport Act 1988, the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act...

Human Rights Issues: Motion (Resumed). (14 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: ——and neither did I ransack the files of the Garda to destroy the reputation of a civilian.

Human Rights Issues: Motion (Resumed). (14 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: That is something the Minister's colleagues cannot say. I wish to turn to some of the fundamentals of this matter. Given that we are talking about basic principles of international law, one of those that has evolved, and includes all the family of nations in regard to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment, is whether and how we are compliant. The issue revolves around whether...

Written Answers — Fóram na Gaeilge: Fóram na Gaeilge (14 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 67: To ask the Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an gceapann sé go bhfuil plean gníomhaíochta náisiúnta don Ghaeilge ag teastáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [22761/06]

Pension Provisions. (20 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 50: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the announcement that the country's largest pension scheme, the construction federation operatives pensions scheme, is to be closed from 1 July 2006 with members transferred to a new scheme; if he has sought assurances regarding the effectiveness of the replacement scheme, in view of the fact...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 110: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will clarify comments made in May 2006 in which he appeared to confirm that the Government has effectively abandoned efforts to extend free travel to Irish pensioners living abroad when they return here; the Government's position on free travel for the Irish abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19718/06]

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: An increase of 270%.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: That is true.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: De Valera.

Official Engagements. (21 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: It might be useful if we had an opportunity to discuss the progress towards the world millennium development goals, not just in this House but in Europe. I understand the former minister Eveline Herfkens was appointed to liaise with parliaments across Europe and elsewhere, to oversee the progress of the goals, one of which is the reduction in AIDS. Does the Secretary General of the UN, Kofi...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31. (21 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise the following specific and important matter of public interest, namely, the need for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ensure the importance of the heritage aspects of certain hotels of the Great Southern Hotels Group, which are protected under the Heritage Act 1995, are observed in any...

Order of Business. (21 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: To save parliamentary time, will the Taoiseach give us a date for the ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption? With the White Paper on development due to be published in September, the ratification was promised some time ago. I want to ask about two other conventions, which I regularly raise here. On the optional protocol against torture, in view of the fact that...

Written Answers — Fair Trade Products: Fair Trade Products (21 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 105: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made in relation to introducing Fair Trade products to his Department's offices and to setting a target date for making the canteens, cafeterias and restaurants under the control of his Department and its agencies use only Fair Trade tea, coffee, sugar and other products; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (21 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 107: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on Commissioner Mandelson's concerns in regard to intellectual property issues in trade with China; the action he advocates at both national and European levels; if the matter has been discussed at European Council of Ministers meetings; if his Department has discussed the issue at the World Trade Organisation;...

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Since I last spoke on this Bill and the need for a rights based approach to nursing home provision and clarification on the constitutional legal issues regarding the provision of a bed in a private nursing home for a public patient with a medical card, none of the questions I asked has been answered. I will refer to two communications. The first is from the HSE which I received yesterday and...

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: The Government is cutting the home help service.

Care of the Elderly. (22 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Tá mé thar a bheith buíoch den Cheann Comhairle as an seans an t-ábhar seo a thógaint. Ós rud é go bhfuil sé lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht, labhróidh mé cúpla nóiméad i nGaeilge. Tá mé ag caint faoi aonad cónaithe i mBaile na hAbhann, i nGaeltacht Chonamara. Ba é an rud a tharla ná go raibh géarghá le píosa fada áiseanna cearta a fháil do sheandaoine agus dóibh siúd a...

Care of the Elderly. (22 Jun 2006)

Michael D Higgins: This is my only opportunity to raise the issue and I am grateful for it. As the Ceann Comhairle is aware, if I were to table a parliamentary question on the matter, it would be ruled out of order. I hope the Minister of State will announce a solution to the neglect I have highlighted.