Results 1-20 of 658 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Emer Higgins

Taoiseach a Ainmniú - Nomination of Taoiseach (20 Feb 2020)

Emer Higgins: I offer comhghairdeas to the Ceann Comhairle on his re-election. It is a privilege to be a Member of the Thirty-third Dáil and I wish to thank everybody who entrusted me with that responsibility. I am proud to second the nomination of Deputy Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach. He stands out for being honest, straight-talking and determined and having a track record of delivering results....

Covid 19 (Childcare): Statements (6 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Minister for Children and Family Affairs, Ms Zappone, for everything she has been doing for children. My thanks also to all our front-line and essential workers who are keeping us safe during this time. My thanks to everyone who is leaving their family day in and day out to join the fight against Covid-19. Others are spending day in and day out with their families. I wish to...

Covid 19 (Childcare): Statements (6 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: If crèches close their doors permanently, prices will rise. That is simple economics. Without accessible or affordable childcare, childcare providers who want to return to work, and families who need them to be able to return to work, will not be able. For many working families their childcare service is the most important cog in their wheel. That is why we need to look at how we...

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (13 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: It is indeed. There are moments that are watersheds in all our lives, and completing primary school and secondary school are two of those moments. I still remember the days I left St. Martin's national school and Rathcoole community college. Many people cherish those moments. One of the most important aspects of education is the social one, and that is why. Students learn to make deep...

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: The public's response to this crisis has been impressive and because of that we are making progress. However, that progress is fragile, and a very real threat is posed at our ports. As the Minister said, one in three Dublin Airport passengers refused to fill out an optional form telling us where they planned to self-isolate. Passengers can waltz through our airports, claim they are...

Covid-19 (Finance): Statements (20 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: We all, rightly, applaud the heroic efforts of nurses during this crisis. For them, turning up to work every day is brave. Not only do they play a central role in ensuring that 70% of Covid-19 patients recover from this deadly virus, but they comfort terrified patients and spend time with the dying in their final hours. Too many people have paid too high a price for doing their duty....

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: The Government acted quickly to support businesses and provide workers laid off as a result of the crisis with a safety net. I thank the Minister and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection's staff across the country, particularly those in the Intreo office in Clondalkin, for everything they have done to make that happen. The temporary Covid wage subsidy scheme has...

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements (20 May 2020)

Emer Higgins: There is no denying that the education of our children will be severely impacted upon by this crisis. When students return to school, notwithstanding the mammoth efforts of teachers and parents to home-school them, their education will have to be accelerated in order to catch up on the many months of missed schooling. Not all students will be able for this. Children with special needs may...

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: The response from our public service has been heroic. In Ireland's time of need, we know we can always rely on the loyalty and dedication of our Defence Forces. Whether it is establishing and operating test centres on Dublin's quays, playing a vital role in contact tracing, putting overflow facilities together in City West at a moment's notice or transporting vital and life-saving PPE, the...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Tánaiste and his Department for their heroic efforts to return Irish citizens home safely as we prepared for lockdown. I have friends and former colleagues in Australia and Egypt and constituents in Peru and India who turned to me for help, and I could only help them because the Tánaiste and his staff helped me. I thank him and his team for ensuring they and thousands...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: As the Minister is aware, at this time of year, his Department would usually be gearing up to mark national bike week. It has been postponed as a result of Covid-19. In fact, today is World Bicycle Day. As such, I hope the Minister will indulge me by answering a quick question on cycling before I move to my question on air travel.

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: I promise to be very quick.

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: We are all changing our lifestyles as a result of the pandemic. One of the positive changes is the number of people who have taken up cycling. More than half a million adults are cycling at least once a week during this crisis compared with 220,000 at this time last year. Given the move to reduce carbon emissions and the fact that capacity on public transport services will be impacted by...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: The Minister might get back to me in writing on it.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: Since St. Patrick's Day, our way of life has changed more than we could ever imagine. One of the positive benefits has been the reduction in greenhouse emissions and their impact on climate change. Many people I know have not filled up their car since March. Working from home is no longer niche; it is now a revolution in how we work. The majority of people, some 59%, are happier working...

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: When we look back at how we dealt with this crisis, we will be judged by how it affected the most vulnerable in our society. This is especially true of children with special needs. Their daily routine is vital to them and it is what they need to progress. School plays a vital role in that. Unfortunately, school closures have had a detrimental impact on children with special needs and...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: I welcome the news that we will soon have clarity on when hairdressers, barbers and beauticians will be able to reopen. That will be fantastic news for jobs and for people throughout my constituency. The public have been reassured throughout this crisis by the flow of information coming from the HSE, NPHET, the Minister and his Department. Releasing data on the number of cases by county...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (17 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: Climate change is affecting 19% of the species that are categorised as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list. This means that they are at serious risk of extinction. The Minister's Department, in collaboration with other bodies and experts, keeps watch on the red lists in Ireland. They include the curlew, the grey partridge and the corncrake. Each of...

Reopening of Schools and Summer Provision 2020: Statements (24 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: It must seem like a lifetime ago to the Minister when the decisive and courageous decision to shut schools was made at the beginning of this pandemic. We only need to look to neighbouring countries to see the impact that acting early and quickly has had; speed has indeed trumped perfection. The upheaval to the education system, however, has been massive. Who could ever have imagined that...

Covid-19 (Measures to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence): Statements (24 Jun 2020)

Emer Higgins: The lockdown has been a challenge for many people but for victims of domestic abuse it has been hell. Their sanctuary is not their home. They find sanctuary when they find space away from home, and they have been robbed of that for months. Many people spent lockdown walking on eggshells to avoid violent and dangerous outbursts. Calls to Saoirse Womens Refuge in south Dublin doubled in...