Results 1,621-1,640 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Human Rights Issues. (29 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity of raising this urgent matter. It had been our understanding that with the change of Government would come an interest in implementing the capacity of the Government through, for example, the civil aviation Acts of 1978 or 1987, to achieve inspections of planes that had a record of participation in extraordinary rendition. I raise this because...

Human Rights Issues. (29 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: On lease to the CIA.

Human Rights Issues. (29 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Why?

Human Rights Issues. (29 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: The plane has an outrageous record.

Human Rights Issues. (29 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: We will never know.

Human Rights Issues. (29 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: It is on the European aircraft register of flights.

Human Rights Issues. (29 Nov 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Should we submit that to the Council of Europe?

Situation in Zimbabwe: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I wish to share time with Deputy Howlin.

Situation in Zimbabwe: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the conditions that prevail in Zimbabwe and support what I understood to be an agreed motion condemning the behaviour of the country's president, Robert Mugabe. President Mugabe should have been confronted long ago on many issues, particularly in respect of human rights. It is a very long time since he was received on a visit to Ireland. When a very...

Written Answers — Child Support: Child Support (4 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 113: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimated increase in the cost of welfare claims in 2008 arising from the entitlement of EU migrant workers to the new childcare supplement and child benefit; the way this compares with the cost in 2005 and 2006 and the original estimate of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32209/07]

Written Answers — Advocacy Services: Advocacy Services (4 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 145: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if is satisfied with the development of personal advocacy services for people with disabilities; and when he will commence the relative sections of the Citizen's Information Act 2007. [32210/07]

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 326: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing conflict in Somalia, with particular reference to violence in the capital Mogadishu; the details of discussions he has held at international level, be it EU or UN, with counterparts with regard to trying to offer assistance to those innocent persons so terribly afflicted; and if he will make...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 325: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Congo; the details of discussions he has held at international level, be it EU or UN, with counterparts with regard to trying to offer assistance to those innocent persons so terribly afflicted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32466/07]

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (4 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 551: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application by a person for asylum by a person (details supplied) which dates back into the late 1990's; the reason for the delay which is being experienced in this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32417/07]

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Sometimes freedom of information requests fall within the ambit of a Government decision, that is, between two Departments. In such cases, does the Taoiseach not accept that his Department has a role to sort the competences as one would expect in regard to a Cabinet matter? It is best if I give an example in regard to the Constitution and the Minister for Education and Science. Every child...

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: That is not about cost, it is about scope.

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Surely his Ministers sometimes express their concerns to him on a good day.

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity of saying a few words. It is very easy to speak against the Government amendment to the motion. The motion has some very good proposals, but there are some points with which I disagree. This is a sad day for my constituency because we have just lost 500 jobs, so competitiveness is not an abstract discussion. I find it extraordinary that the larger parties in this...

Written Answers — An Teanga Gaeilge: An Teanga Gaeilge (5 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 81: To ask the Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén tacaíocht nua ar leith atá beartaithe aige a chur ann in 2008 don Ghaeltacht mar cheantar labhartha Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [32620/07]

Written Answers — An Teanga Gaeilge: An Teanga Gaeilge (5 Dec 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 85: To ask the Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an mó scéim teanga atá aontaithe anois faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [32619/07]