Results 1,921-1,940 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins
- Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I am grateful to the Minister of State for his reply. However, I would like to hear a little more on the conversations with Zimbabwe's neighbours, particularly South Africa. Is the Irish Government satisfied with the role of the South African Government on the continuing position in Zimbabwe? What efforts did the Irish Government make to have election observers appointed for the recent...
- Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I appreciate the Minister of State's broad sympathy with my questions and I agree with his answers. What is the position of the Government in respect of a run-off election? Will it send observers? This is practical. My next question relates to the previous one. Is the Irish Government concerned at the dispatch of a boat carrying armaments from China to southern Africa? Does he agree...
- Overseas Development Aid. (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: It is the small producers in Africa who are the most productive.
- International Crises. (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: It is important in trying to unravel the atmosphere that stands at the back of the present position in Zimbabwe to recognise the Lancaster House dimension to it and that the decolonisation act was not fulfilled adequately by Britain. This is part of the explanation of the origin of violence but it is different from the violence for which President Mugabe is responsible. While the Minister...
- Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Some years ago I visited Beijing and Lhasa with other members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. Does the Minister of State agree that great caution needs to be taken about accepting news of the Han deaths that have been reported from Tibet? It is a complex issue but will the Minister of State agree that in terms of international law what is taking place in Tibet is the consequence...
- United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I have respect for the Minister of State so he will excuse my stating that the reply conveys a disastrous failure with regard to United Nations reform. Drawing on his previous experience, he will recall no doubt that in 1981 the late and distinguished Erskine Childers and Brian Urquhart produced two excellent volumes on reform of the United Nations. It is interesting to note that those...
- United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Yes. With regard to development co-operation, it is not only that Ireland seeks a more representative Security Council within the UN. I suspect the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, may be better informed than most with regard to my next comment. The domination by the permanent members of the Security Council of a number of key posts, such as the offices of the UNDP, means they are...
- United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: It is all we have.
- Overseas Development Aid. (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: It would help to resolve this issue if we could move beyond the parameters of strictly financial audit. I accept there may be circumstances where there is another client apart from the State. In such cases, it is appropriate that there be restrictions. What might be required is an implementation group that includes the financial audit. In place of relying on the annual report of the audit...
- Overseas Development Aid. (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Will the Minister of State consider my proposal on Irish Aid funding internships?
- Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Question 33: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position in relation to the announcement of the independence of Kosovo, including the future presence of the Defence Forces in the new circumstances that are created. [16823/08]
- Written Answers — Córas Aistriúcháin: Córas Aistriúcháin (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Question 100: To ask the Aire Gnóthaà Eachtracha cad tá á dhéanamh aige chun a dheimhniú go gcuirfà córas iomlán aistriúcháin agus ateangaireachta ar fáil do Chomhaltaà Ãireannacha i bParlaimint na hEorpa de réir Rialachán 1/1958, Sa tslà is go mbeidh ar a gcumas a ngnó a dhéanamh trà mheán na Gaeilge ar bhonn comhionann agus gan idirdhealú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Question 135: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason, as has been reported, it is not authorised that this school would progress for the next stage at this time; if, in view of the fact that the school has had stage three approved and, with the imminent closure of another school, an increased school going...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Question 201: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the purpose and effect of the European Communities (Internal Market in Natural Gas) (Compulsory Acquisition) Regulations (S.I. No. 517 of 2001); the provisions of Directive 98/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998, regarding common rules for the internal market in natural gas,...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Question 202: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Article 4 of Directive 980/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998, contain the giving of powers of compulsory acquisition. [17000/08]
- Nomination of Taoiseach (7 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Tá fÃor-áthas orm an phribhléid a bheith agam an Teachta Eamon Mac Giollamóir a mholadh chun a bheith mar Thaoiseach. Chun an fhÃrinne a rá, is ócáid mór dom é seans a bheith agam é sin a dhéanamh. Dá bharr sin, cuidim leis an rún. Ceapaim nà amháin gur maoineach Taoiseach atá ann, ach freisin go bhfuil na fiúntais pearsanta agus polaitiúil atá ag teastáil ag an am...
- Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion. (7 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.
- Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion. (7 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.
- Order of Business (8 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I wish the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, every good wish in his new appointment and welcome the new Minister. Will the Government make time available next week to discuss the refusal by the Burmese authorities to allow UN planes and other international aid agencies entry into Burma to address the huge catastrophe that has happened there? I do not suggest we have a...
- Order of Business (8 May 2008)
Michael D Higgins: That is all they are discussing in Cork.