Results 101-120 of 431 for speaker:Lorraine Higgins

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Planning Issues (6 Mar 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I understand the effect of these clauses in that we must strike a balance and address some sensitive planning issues in the countryside, in particular. There is an overriding concern that there has been a clear breach of people's property rights which are inalienable, which is why I have brought the matter before the House. I would appreciate it if some further research could be done on it....

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (12 Mar 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for taking this matter on the Adjournment. I seek clarification concerning the payment to farmers of grants under the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS. When will these payments be made? A large number of farmers in my local area, for example, in Athenry, Loughrea, Gort, Tuam and Kinvara, have been waiting for an unacceptably long time to...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (12 Mar 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for her response. It would be helpful if the Minister, Deputy Coveney, were here. Agriculture is his specific responsibility and there were a few points I wanted to put to him. I accept that if applications are not fully completed, it is very difficult to pay out. The reality is that quite a number of farmers have completed their application forms properly...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: The Tánaiste met with John Kerry recently.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I ask the that the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, come to the House to discuss the possibility of implementing a policy which would, without doubt, assist the safety and well-being of many teenagers. Bullying and suicide are two issues persist and remain prevalent among teenagers. Every channel of communication must be considered as we seek to raise awareness of...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Property Taxation Exemptions (23 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to deal with the need for Minister for Finance to outline the steps he is taking to ensure that standardised criteria are applied to unfinished estates in the calculation of the amount due in property tax. A large number of people were deemed to be living in unfinished estates and thereby got an exemption from last year's household...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Property Taxation Exemptions (23 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for his very detailed response. I am glad that he has clarified matters, particularly in respect of the market value of properties. I was contacted by a number of people to whom letters were furnished by Revenue in which it was indicated that their homes were valued at €140,000, whereas properties in the estates in which they live recently sold for...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill today and I would like to respond to some of the issues that Senator O'Donnell has raised, particularly about social issues and gambling addiction which will remain a problem regardless of whether this is in private or public ownership. Many leading psychologists would vouch for that. The Seanad is a fantastic instrument in the organs of the...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: We are not. We are giving someone the opportunity to run and operate the national lottery. We are not losing ownership.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: That is the most important point that we must take from this debate today. I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for public expenditure and reform, Deputy Hayes, into the House today. I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead this debate on the Bill on behalf of the Labour Party group. We all know that the national lottery has been a constant feature of our lives since...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: It is only the licence to operate this asset that is being sold.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: It is important to have clarity on that. That is the point.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: This should reassure Senator O'Donnell and members of the public who have major concerns about the sale. It is not beneficial to anybody to be scaremongering about this. With this in mind I would welcome the establishment of an independent regulator to ensure that the interests of participants in the national lottery are protected. The regulator would also have the important task of...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Farm Inspections (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: Does the Minister of State have the details pertaining to my question?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Farm Inspections (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for being present to discuss farm inspections. As he probably knows, the inspection regime is about to restart. In this light, it is imperative that I highlight some of the practices carried out by some - I stress that word - officials during the last inspection period. In my constituency of Galway East and replicated throughout the country,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Farm Inspections (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: On a point of order, I do not have a copy of the Minister of State's speech.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Farm Inspections (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Farm Inspections (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for the very detailed response but unfortunately, I am bogged down in technicality. There was very little to address the problem I have highlighted relating to Department inspections. The Minister must face up to and acknowledge the fact that there is a problem in this regard. He must issue a directive from the Department that any official found breaching...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Farm Inspections (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I have only been a public representative for two years but I am astounded by the number of cases coming before me concerning breaches of procedure and law. I am a member of the Labour Party, which would not have been known as a farmer-friendly party, so it is amazing that farmers are coming to me about it. That highlights the problem so I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Farm Inspections (24 Apr 2013)

Lorraine Higgins: I would hate to see many judicial review cases being brought against the State in the High Court.