Results 2,021-2,040 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The point Mr. Lawler highlights is a serious issue, whereby if a person does not have a previous record, he or she might not get the carer's allowance credit payment. Some people who moved abroad move home to care. They may end up staying home for ten or 20 years caring but remain out of the system in that context. That is a gap that needs to be addressed. In regard to the other issue,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is a proposal that has been discussed before. It is in line with the care bridge and ensuring we have access. It is in line with the recommendations of the citizens' assembly. We need a granular piece around that.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I want to formally object to the content of the Order of Business for tomorrow, Thursday, which is done in the form of a motion. Again, it is regrettable that we are seeing Bills being taken at all Stages. This Government has developed too much of an attachment to emergency legislation. I am also conscious in the case of both of these Bills, and I was on the relevant committee for one of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: If we chase getting some of the money from the arms industry, we lose our diplomatic power, which is so fundamental and which has made a difference and saved lives throughout the world.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have to finish.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This has been part of a move away from 2015, when we were rescuing people in the Mediterranean. That year, our Naval Service membership was the highest. That compares to 2017, when we saw Irish ships being brought to arms fairs.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will conclude but I suggest this is a matter of significant urgency for a House that cares about human rights.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am opposing the motion in relation to Thursday.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I may not oppose the Order of Business, but I will oppose the motion in relation to Thursday which is to be taken separately.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Surviving Cohabitant’s Pension) Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am happy to come in. This is an issue I feel strongly about. We have raised and discussed it at the Joint Committee on Gender Equality, which the Minister has mentioned. It would be regrettable if the committee, which is in place to expedite and press for action and monitor what actions are happening in respect of the many recommendations of the citizens' assembly, was in some way used...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Surviving Cohabitant’s Pension) Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The question is not the suitability of the Attorney General as part of the process. The question is where he or she fits in the process and that danger and concern of him or her being involved twice in the process, as we heard in the debate. There is a role for the Attorney General in the second part of the process where nominations have been suggested but not made, with the names of...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I understand the Government is not accepting any of my amendments to this section.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Then I am not going to press amendment No. 4. Amendment No. 6 is consequential on this and it might miraculously pass.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 6: In page 10, to delete line 32.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Amendment No. 9 is in this grouping. It also makes it clear that one of the laypersons appointed should be nominated by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. This is fundamental. It was fundamental in the understanding we had during pre-legislative scrutiny. It was in the original heads of the Bill. When I do pre-legislative scrutiny I look to make sure that all of the relevant...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is not that there are a lot of bodies and that it would be nice to have them represented. This is quite different. Yes, there are lots of different interest groups and expert groups, but we have outlined the fact, that, with respect, has not been addressed, that the public duty and equality and human rights are a statutory obligation. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 9: In page 10, line 33, after “13” to insert “of whom one shall be nominated for appointment by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission”. I will withdraw the amendment and bring it back on Report Stage, when I will call "Vótáil" on it. I hope the Minister will reconsider the matter in the meantime.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 11: In page 11, to delete lines 5 and 6.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 12: In page 11, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: “(4) The Attorney General shall not, as a member of the Commission, play a role in the selection or recommendation of persons for appointment to judicial office in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Circuit Court or District Court.”.