Results 1,341-1,360 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (5 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 595: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals for upgrading the sewage systems in County Galway. [14054/07]

Written Answers — Local Government Funding: Local Government Funding (5 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 596: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans his Department holds for the necessary cleansing of the south park area in Galway; the funding that will be made available to the local authority to assist in this matter; the additional funding that has been sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14073/07]

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31 (24 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: In accordance with the terms of Standing Order 31, I seek to move the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent attention: the pressing need for the Minister for Education and Science to take such measures as will immediately lead to our meeting the needs of hearing-impaired children in the Galway area, including the...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (24 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 79: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the organisations that have been allocated funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund since the start of 2007; the amount allocated on each occasion; the name and location of each organisation; the purpose of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15002/07]

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (24 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 162: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the work of the interim national property services regulatory authority and of its director, appointed in June 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14696/07]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (24 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 939: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take to assist the needs of individual students who have special needs, with specific reference to the pressing need to effect changes to their school system and to reduce the average number of children per class; and if she will comment on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [15163/07]

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (24 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 951: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take to tackle the ongoing phenomenon of overcrowding in classrooms nationwide; and her plans to tackle same in a school (details supplied) in County Galway. [15249/07]

Written Answers — Water Pollution: Water Pollution (24 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 974: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures of an interdepartmental nature, and the decisions involving inter-ministerial agreement that have been or will be taken in order to assure the future of Lough Corrib, threatened as it is by activities that fall for control by the Departments responsible for agriculture and food, environment and...

Leaders' Questions (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: And the poisoning of the Corrib continues.

Leaders' Questions (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: The Department was waiting for and encouraging a private scheme.

Leaders' Questions (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: At least they held the election——

Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I understand we are discussing amendments Nos. 1 and 40 together.

Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: My first point follows logically from the discussion we have just had. I do not want to anticipate the discussion we will have on amendment No. 2, which we have strayed into in a way. Amendment No. 1 in the name of the Minister speaks of co-operation between Departments and also takes cognisance of previous legislation arising from planning and development matters. It makes a specific...

Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: A total of 90% of the species has perished in Europe.

Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I will remain strictly within my two minutes. I want to deal with one point raised by the Minister in his reply, which concerns why there should be a separate body to manage water quality. The overview in the explanatory memorandum to the Bill states: The Bill concerns itself only with the actual provision of water services. It does not seek directly to take on board wider environmental...

Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: This is an absolutely crucial amendment. It establishes a fundamental point, namely, where we stand as regards the right to clean water. I urge the Minister to accept it, because this will enable him to respond beyond the time of the drafting of this Bill, originally, to both current and other issues. On page 1 of the explanatory memorandum it is stated: The Bill concerns itself only with...

Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Amendment No. 2 refers to a fundamental right of the individual. In general, when legislating for rights one can draw a distinction between the construction of law from civil and political rights and the international convention on economic, culture and social rights. Usually when doing so, one makes reference to the progressive realisation of a right. The Minister chose not to go down...

Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Yes. What is wrong with that?

Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Apr 2007)

Michael D Higgins: It is a matter for the State.