Results 1,541-1,560 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (25 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 24: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the provisions he has made to encourage people of different nationalities to participate in sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25663/07]

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (31 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 125: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his priority areas for additional expenditure in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the pre-Budget 2008 outlook in so far as it affects his Department. [26292/07]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (31 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 137: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action he will take on foot of the issues highlighted in the Pension's Ombudsman's 2006 annual report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26291/07]

Written Answers — Debt Relief: Debt Relief (31 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 149: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the writing off of odious and illegitimate debt by the World Bank, the IMF and other international lending agencies; and if he will propose such or make other proposals to the forthcoming meeting of these institutions. [25998/07]

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (31 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 573: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in the context of the river basin proposals the Frenchfort Wetlands in their entirety, that is, the current special areas of conservation to the east and the westland to the west, which are dissected by the dual carriageway, are both to be protected insofar as they are integrally related, forming the one...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: The Tánaiste always wears a long black coat.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Restoration to Order Paper (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I propose to share time with Deputy Gilmore in the ratio of six to nine minutes.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Restoration to Order Paper (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I want to begin with the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power's, assertion that he recognises that we are speaking about a basic human right and in the few minutes available I want to lay out a few fundamentals. If he recognises that what my colleague, Deputy Howlin, has proposed, for which I congratulate him, in the name of the Labour Party for the second time deals with a matter of right,...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Restoration to Order Paper (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: ——rings hollow for us to be taking lectures from the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Restoration to Order Paper (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: It is an issue of rights and equal citizenship. The invocation of a threat presented by civil union to marriage is a distortion and a camouflage. The Bill is constitutional. I support it and pay tribute to Deputy Howlin for bringing it forward again. Even at this late stage I call on Members to vote for it because it is nothing less than a modest reforming, equality measure.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Restoration to Order Paper (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Restoration to Order Paper (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. When important legislation is introduced it should be welcomed. I also welcome the priority the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, gave to this legislation and the speed with which it was brought before the House. I commend my colleagues from all sides of the House, but particularly in the Opposition, for their thoughtful contributions to the...

Written Answers — Aistritheoirí Gaeilge Cáilithe: Aistritheoirí Gaeilge Cáilithe (1 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 12: To ask the Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén plean atá aige chun go leor aistritheoirí Gaeilge cáilithe a chur ar fáil go práinneach chun freastal ar éileamh an Choimisiúin Eorpaigh [26529/07]

Written Answers — Aistritheoirí Gaeilge Cáilithe: Aistritheoirí Gaeilge Cáilithe (1 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 27: To ask the Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta ar cuireadh scrúdú cáilíochta d'aistritheoirí Gaeilge ar ceal i Mí Mheán Fómhair de bharr easpa airgid ar Fhoras na Gaeilge [26530/07]

Undocumented Irish in the United States: Motion (6 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I wish to share time with Deputy Ferris. I welcome the opportunity to contribute again on this subject. When we last discussed it in October 2005, I believed there was cross party support for a motion that could be presented as the view of the Oireachtas at the time when there seemed to be the prospect of the McCain-Kennedy Bill having success. I was also pleased to travel as part of a...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (6 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 58: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her views on the decision by the European Union to award $114 million to help Argentina with its animal health and phytosanitary regime in order that it can develop its exports to Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27080/07]

Written Answers — Horticulture Industry: Horticulture Industry (6 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 80: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the mushroom growers who have received investment aid under the scheme of investment aid for the development of commercial horticulture since the scheme started here. [27079/07]

Dáil Reform. (7 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I wish to make a personal observation and I will be quick. Those who have studied parliaments in Europe in the past 20 years have reached the conclusion that parliaments everywhere are in trouble. Those who are encouraging a disinterest and cynicism in parliamentarianism have a very great responsibility to carry. A badly resourced committee system that drains energy from the plenary system...

Dáil Reform. (7 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: In regard to resources for those who work on committees, there is a lack of availability of contributions made because the staff is not available to provide the blacks quickly enough so that people can report in turn to regional and local media on issues that are raised. These are practical issues that need to be addressed if the committee system is to work. The issues I have suggested...