Results 1,021-1,040 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Northern Ireland Issues. (25 Oct 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I always took the Attorney General's advice very seriously.

Northern Ireland Issues. (25 Oct 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I appreciate the Minister's reply and I am not attributing any ulterior motive.

Northern Ireland Issues. (25 Oct 2006)

Michael D Higgins: It is not the colour of the agreement that will decide whether the Government needs an opinion from the Attorney General on a constitutional referendum. The reason I made specific reference to the Crotty case is that there are circumstances where one could invoke that case and there are other circumstances in which it would not be appropriate to invoke it. On the basis of the framework...

Emigrant Support Services. (25 Oct 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the capital projects. Do I take it that the Department has no problem in providing capital funding for shared projects? The groups serving Irish emigrants in Britain realised that the buildings they are replacing will be used by a number of groups. The predominant group may well be Irish so the funding may be in the form of capital partnerships and so on. These partnerships will...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 Oct 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 161: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department proposes to accept their responsibilities as the funding agency for the Bris programme which was discontinued in the west side of Galway City, in terms of their obligations to the community worker to whom an award was made on foot of the ending of their employment on the sudden ending of...

Drugs in Sport. (26 Oct 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 7: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to recent suspensions handed down to Irish athletes by the Irish sport anti-doping disciplinary panel; his views on whether there is reason to be concerned at levels of doping among Irish athletes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34809/06]

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (26 Oct 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 33: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position with regard to the development of the Abbotstown Sports Campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34827/06]

Leaders' Questions (1 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Absolutely.

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I question these amendments' sufficiency. On the final Stages it is worth questioning the Bill's essential constitutionality. It is legally fragile in so far as it sets out to treat citizens in a different fashion, in a manner which could be construed as arbitrary. Separate from the issue of strict constitutionality, other questions arise. There is a real problem as there is such a...

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: He will find himself at the European Court of Justice and I hope it is soon.

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: That is not the issue.

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister of State could have asked the GAA about this.

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: They were against electricity in their day. They said it would not catch on.

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I certainly support the amendment. One must ask whether there is a balance of fairness between the executive and the citizen in a nursing home. On the one hand, an elaborate set of procedures is laid down in the Bill for a person who wants to appeal against a refusal. The grounds must be within a framework acceptable to the executive and a particular set of requirements must be followed....

Written Answers — Eating Disorders: Eating Disorders (1 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the lack of facilities for the estimated 200,000 people with eating disorders; her further views on the fact that the only dedicated public services are three beds at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin that are designated to eating disorder patients over 18 years; her plans to address this issue to provide services to under...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (1 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 154: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that one in eight people here is suffering from chronic pain; her further views on the new drug-free implant which uses the body's own nerves to control pain being used at present in St. Vincent's; her plans to extend the number of pain clinics here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35484/06]

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (1 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 533: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position of Ireland in relation to the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity; the meetings which have taken place in the context of securing Irish support and acceptance of the terminator technology and patent in relation to genetically modified seeds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35606/06]

White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements (2 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to make a few remarks on the White Paper. There is little in its 90 pages of text with which I disagree. I want to raise some issues by way of bringing forward the debate as the Minister for Foreign Affairs has suggested will happen in the next few months. The commitment on Irish aid to be delivered by 2010 will be welcome, however it is important that we do not...

White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements (2 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: They should ratify the convention.

Citizens Information Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: On a rights basis.