Results 1,301-1,320 of 3,425 for speaker:Emer Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Draft River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2022-2027: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank the witnesses for a really informative discussion. It is great to get so many different perspectives from key stakeholders, which, ultimately, is what we all are. Dr. Crowe spoke about there being 4,500 waterbodies. It is such an enormous task when it is put like that, bearing in mind the large number of stakeholders for each of those bodies and the fact that each body will require...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Draft River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2022-2027: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: What budgetary estimates are there for that kind of framework Ms O'Brien describes?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Draft River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2022-2027: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: Before we hear from our guests from Teagasc and An Taisce, I might clarify something regarding the 37% figure. In fairness, and I apologise if I gave the impression otherwise, it includes actions that have not started as opposed to comprising only cases of non-compliance.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully, and to the best of my knowledge and ability, execute the office of Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by the House in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of members in accordance with the Constitution and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: I am delighted to be here to discuss such an important topic. It is really progressive that we have established this committee, and I am delighted to take on the mantle of Vice Chairman. There are so many families throughout the country, including in my constituency, that have become families through surrogacy. I do not agree with some of the phrases used by the previous speaker. I do not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: I agree with Mr. Redmond. I suppose that is what we are all here to do. I am conscious that we are tight on time because we are doing two sessions, so I am happy for the Chair to continue with the meeting, to ensure that all members get their say.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: I am happy to concede that time to my colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, if she wishes to use it. Her screen has frozen.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: That is no problem. I apologise that I had to pop off for a little while. I had to attend a meeting of the Joint Committee on Disability Matters at the same time so I missed some of this discussion. It is so useful to have representatives of all the relevant Departments here. That there are so many relevant Departments goes to show how complex this area is. This is why we all need to work...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: A particularly uplifting story that made it to the national airwaves was that of Ivana and Cathy recently. Cathy has children born through surrogacy. Ivana was the surrogate mother in Ukraine and, as many people will be aware, has now come to live with Cathy and her family in Wicklow. I suppose I highlight that as a case in the context of what the previous speaker has said about women in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: I would be interested to hear what safeguards Professor O'Mahony believes could be put in place to protect everybody involved in surrogacy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank Professor O'Mahony.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (7 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: No, that is fine. I am happy to move along and make sure everyone has their say.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: I am indeed. I thank Dr. Mulligan for taking us through that. It is really interesting to get her industry experience and valid legal perspectives on this issue, because that is exactly what we are here to listen to. Dr. Mulligan has nailed some of the really big questions that are facing us as members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy. We have the tall order of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: If I have time left, may I ask a brief follow-up question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: Were we to go down the regulatory authority route, would it be possible to make surrogacy easier for people who come through properly regulated agencies? I am picking up on something that Dr. Mulligan said in response to one of my questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: That was helpful. I appreciate Dr. Mulligan's expertise.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank the witnesses. I found today so useful and interesting. I will address some of what the witnesses spoke about. It was good to get to the nub of commercial surrogacy. I did not fully understand what that meant. Senator Seery Kearney made an interesting contribution. She spoke about how the entire process is commercial. People have probably gone through IVF and many options where...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank our witnesses for sharing their professional perspectives with us. It is valuable. Dr. Wingfield said we should not rush this legislation. While we all agree with her on that point, this committee has been given the challenging task of producing a report on international surrogacy within 12 weeks. We can only do that if we engage with stakeholders, and with the right stakeholders....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and International Law: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: I very much agree.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2022)

Emer Higgins: Last week the Government confirmed its plans to fund IVF fertility treatment for public patients from 2023. This is welcome and fantastic news because at present Ireland is the only country in the EU not providing state funding towards IVF. Unfortunately, the statistics show that one in every six couples will struggle to conceive. IVF costs €4,000 to €6,000 per cycle. This...