Results 2,061-2,080 of 3,479 for speaker:Emer Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Minister for being here to talk us through this. In many ways the hospitality sector was almost accidentally revolutionised by restrictions during Covid. Just last December I found myself having a late-night drink outdoors outside Courtney's in Lucan, one of my locals. I would never have dreamed of doing that during the height of winter a couple of years ago and I'm sure...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: Apologies have been received from Deputy Whitmore and Senator Ruane. We will have two sessions today. The first session will consider the issue of protecting the right of the child to his or her history and identity, including his or her genetic, gestational and social origins, and ensuring that existing children born through international surrogacy arrangements can exercise their right to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: Absolutely. I thank Senator Keogan. I now invite Ms Caoimhe Nic Dhomhnaill to make her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I am sorry, but there was a little interference. I invite Ms Nic Dhomhnaill to continue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank Dr. Muldoon.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: We have just under a minute but I am happy to give Dr. Muldoon an extra minute to answer Senator Keogan's questions because the time would be very tight. I will also mention that the question of yesterday's apology is not relevant to today's committee meeting so there is no obligation to respond.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: There are four minutes for replies. If we stick to the time, we will be able to get another round of questions in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I will ask a couple of quick questions. I thank all our witnesses for being with us. It has certainly been very interesting. It has been particularly interesting to hear about the research outcomes. In 2011 or 2012, I was involved in the launch of the Growing Up in Ireland longitudinal survey so I was particularly interested to hear about the research Ms Nic Dhomhnaill referenced. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I thank Ms Nic Dhomhnaill. That is very helpful. As she said, it will be great when Dr. Golombok appears before the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I ask the witnesses to be brief as we are out of time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: Does Ms Nic Dhomhnaill have anything to add?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: I call Senator Keogan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: Ms Nic Dhomhnaill said she will not be drawn into that debate. She does not have to answer that direct question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: She has said she will not get drawn into the debate on commodification.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: Yes, and she has explained that she is here to talk about the interests of the child who is born.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: It is the child who is born. That was her remit today. Does anybody else have anything further to add on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: Senator Keogan still has a couple of moments if she would like to go on.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: Has Ms Nic Dhomhnaill anything to add?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Rights of Children: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Emer Higgins: An interesting point which, to my shame, I had not thought about was referenced by Senator Seery Kearney. That point relates to the maternity leave aspect of the issue. I am interested to hear from Ms Nic Dhomhnaill in that regard. Will she give us context about the attachment between mothers and their babies, and the benefits that mothers, in particular, gain during maternity leave? I...