Results 1,921-1,940 of 8,211 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Progress in Relation to Climate Change: Statements (14 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: To clarify, I am not against the planting of trees. I was referring to what will accompany the planted trees. It is important to be clear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank Professor Doherty for his presentation of such interesting topics, some of which have been raised by other members. When we debated the question of the definition, it has become clear, as the professor noted, that it is about not simply the definition but also who decides or interprets the definition. In general, the default interpretation seems to favour the employer in how it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: They have scope under the European directives to place whatever ratio of price to quality they wish.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There is also an issue in public procurement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The loss to the State is not simply about the individual's experience. Sectoral orders are a way to ensure that whatever way he or she is categorised, the person can access the basic provision. However, there is a loss to the State. We know this from the radically different PRSI contributions that are coming through from those who are self-employed and those who are not. I refer again...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: If one wants a continuum of employment or delivery.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self-Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: What about sectoral orders and the compatibility of what used to be JLCs with the labour machinery of the State. While that is the labour machinery rather than a set of laws, is it something we can cement around an expectation of due diligence on the part of the State as a funder of projects and with regard to the way in which its resources are used?

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Protection of Employee Tips) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State. I join others in commending Senator Gavan. One of the first points around which this Seanad came together was that relating to workers' rights. It was the Competition (Amendment) Bill, a legislative measure proposed by the Labour Party, that first brought us together in that way. I commend Sinn Féin. I also want to commend, as others have, former...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Protection of Employee Tips) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This is related. In the context of this section, there was concern about clarity as to, for example, what is a service charge and what is a tip. The way the language is currently phrased is quite good because it refers to what might reasonably be interpreted. It sets the position out quite clearly. It is not overly prescriptive in that it states that the customer intended or assumed the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The indication that we have been given is that 26 March will be the potential return date if any amendments need to be confirmed by the Dáil. That is what we have been told because we have put that question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister and commend the multi-strand approach that has been taken, which is prudent and appropriate. The primary concern, as she herself said, is to ensure continuity for those who are very much reliant on their social protection payments and that whatever the concerns might be or if it is the case that we end up having a hard Brexit, we try to bridge that scenario. That will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I had some further questions but I will leave them aside until later.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: In its implementation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Given all the areas that are being addressed by this Bill and the speed with which it must be passed, should a review clause be built into the Bill to ensure that in, say, one year's time we are in a position to interrogate if it is working?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes, but given the speed with which we must pass this Bill, should a review clause be built into it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have made many different points, but I wanted an answer to the question on a three-country issue, for example, where there may be a reciprocal issue for people who have a partial contribution from the contributions in Germany-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Where that relates to the UK-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It would be good to clarify.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This is clear for the person resident in Ireland, but for those-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (20 Feb 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: On insolvency and the question of access to assets, we all remember what happened when Thomas Cook pulled out of Ireland and the concern for workers that arose from that. Can the Minister provide clarity around the arrangements in place to ensure that workers based in Ireland have access to assets? I recognise that all legislation is subject to review, and suggest that it would provide...