Results 2,021-2,040 of 3,479 for speaker:Emer Higgins

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (26 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: 241. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn by An Garda Síochána to the significant irregularities in the postal voting system in County Sligo in 2019; if so, the nature of those irregularities; and his plans to ensure that such irregularities cannot occur again in any local authority. [27103/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review and Consolidation of Planning Legislation: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (26 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank the witnesses for attending today. As the last speaker said, the Department has quite a tough task over the next few months. I wish the witnesses well with that and thank them for engaging with the committee on it. I note that one of the key principles is increasing clarity and the streamlining of legislation. An issue that I come across time and again is the lack of clarity and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review and Consolidation of Planning Legislation: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (26 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: In terms of the planning system from a transparency perspective, there is a need to prioritise and maintain that transparency but also to look at reducing unnecessary legal challenges. Is there any indication of where things stand with regard to the substantial grounds from which legal challenges can arise?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review and Consolidation of Planning Legislation: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (26 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: We certainly found that in our area during Covid in particular, when there were restrictions and people were still driving to An Bord Pleanála to hand things in and pay by cheque. Being able to do all of this online and pay online would be a very progressive step. That level of innovation and investment in technology would make the planning system more easily accessible to everybody.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Potential Double Standards in Protections for Surrogate Mothers in Domestic Arrangements: Discussion (26 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I hope to come in on the next round because I was impressed by our other two key expert witnesses as well, and the information they had to offer. My background is that I worked on the launch of the longitudinal Growing up in Ireland study. I am fascinated by the in-depth work Professor Golombok has carried out, the breadth of her research and its findings. I am impressed by her...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Potential Double Standards in Protections for Surrogate Mothers in Domestic Arrangements: Discussion (26 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I will be brief as time is of the essence in this session. I thank Professor Madden and Dr. Tobin for coming to the meeting to share their expertise with us. Dr. Tobin said we have the tough task of making our deliberations within a tight period of time. We can only do that because of experts like him, so I thank him. I was interested to hear both witnesses talk about the need for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (25 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: 23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the application process for the electric small public service vehicle (eSPSV2) grant scheme will be un-paused to allow for new applicants to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26923/22]

Journalists in Conflicts across the World: Statements (24 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I am grateful to have an opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Journalists working in conflict situations risk their lives every day. They do so in the name of truth, accuracy, transparency and fair reporting. Sadly, they sometimes pay with the ultimate sacrifice, that is, with their lives. Today, I particularly remember Irish journalist, Pierre Zakrzewski, who was killed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (24 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: 20. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on her Department’s progress in increasing the number of women’s refuges available across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26069/22]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (24 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: 42. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps her Department is taking to support victims of crime through the judicial process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26070/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (24 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: 439. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if adjustments will be made to the leaving certificate examination 2023 to compensate for the disruptions experienced by current fifth year students as a result of Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26326/22]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (24 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: 479. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the Government response to the Pensions Commission Report is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26317/22]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: 553. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current position regarding the review of the compulsory retirement age for members of An Garda Síochána; when an announcement on the matter will be forthcoming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26316/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (24 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: 662. To ask the Minister for Health when the expansion of general practitioner care without charges to children aged six and seven years of age is expected to be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26329/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: A vote has been called in the Seanad so the Senators have had to step out. The next speaker is Mr. Eddie Taaffe of the County and City Management Association.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank Mr. James. We will now move on to questions from members. I remind members and witnesses that each member has seven minutes in which to ask questions and receive replies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank all our guests for being here with us. I was particularly struck by something Mr. Benson said about traineeships and how some potential apprenticeships could be looked at in that way. Last week was Construction Work and Skills Week, and I attended the Intreo trade fair in Tallaght Stadium, which was a recruitment event aimed at young people. There was a massive queue of young...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: Thank you. The next speaker is Mr. Kevin James of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I would like to raise the shortage of childcare places particularly in Lucan and Newcastle. I have been contacted by parents who cannot find a place for their child and are met with really long waiting lists. Sadly, in some cases, this means that one parent, invariably the mother, decides to change her working hours because she cannot find appropriate childcare. I have also been...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Company Law (19 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: 54. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the operation of the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process since its introduction. [24955/22]