Results 1,481-1,500 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Foreign Conflicts. (2 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I thank the Minister of State.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 134: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the recent OECD report, Education at a Glance, which showed that expenditure on education at all levels here lagged well below the EU and OECD average; if she has plans to increase funding to bring it up to the EU and OECD average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21608/07]

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 158: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the recent OECD report, Education at a Glance, which ranked Ireland at joint bottom place in an international league table that links spending on each second level student to overall wealth; her views on the report; if she will increase funding for this sector; and if she will make a statement on...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (2 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 354: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the legislative changes proposed with reference to dog fighting and related matters following recent discussions with Dr. Ian Paisley. [21364/07]

Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear. That is the issue.

Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: What is Deputy Ó Cuív saying?

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: In order to be assistance in this regard, I am glad the Taoiseach has acknowledged it is absurd that an important committee such as, for example, the committee on foreign affairs should be governed as to the length of time it sits by the availability of a room, as has happened frequently. The aforementioned committee is a good illustration of the need for a debate on the fundamental role of...

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: No one said that.

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: There are many of them.

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: It is just as well I did not ask the Taoiseach for anything.

Health Services: Motion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. In terms of general principles, it is in everybody's interests that clear accountability be established in health policy. We have all suffered from a lack of definition in the transfer of responsibilities from Parliament to the Health Service Executive. I recall a paper delivered by former EU Commissioner with responsibility for health,...

Health Services: Motion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Without seeking to make a party political point, when I raised this issue at the last such meeting during the previous Dáil most Deputies agreed that the meetings were nonsense. It is also nonsense to suggest that the issue at stake is anything more than the presentation of the HSE's image to elected representatives. It is important to establish principles of policy provision which will...

Order of Business (4 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Willie O'Dea's fight for Irish freedom.

Order of Business (4 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: The White Paper on Overseas Development Aid committed the Government to ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption. No. 15 on the list of proposed legislation, the prevention of corruption (amendment) Bill, is different legislation altogether. It seriously limits the scope of the UN convention — it is confined to the bribery of public officials abroad — particularly in view...

Order of Business (4 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is preparing the compliance at Government level across different Departments and I have no problem with the Taoiseach answering my question as it is a question to Government. The White Paper is not the possession of any single Minister; it is published by the Government and it is a Government commitment to ratify the UN...

Control of Exports Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (4 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I may share my time with Deputy Ó Snodaigh, if he arrives.

Control of Exports Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (4 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity of speaking on this topic. The first point I want to make concerns the structure of the debate but before I proceed, I congratulate the Minister of State and wish him every success in his appointment. It has always intrigued me that international arms are discussed within the ambit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The issues that arise...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (4 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 35: To ask the Minister for Defence the success of the regular and targeted recruitment campaigns in regard to recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces. [21982/07]