Results 2,101-2,120 of 8,768 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----on climate finance-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Sure. I will literally-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: They will not have time to speak again, so I will be quick. Climate finance is specifically named as one of the Department's targets. Ireland's share is estimated to be €475 million. Why are we not achieving that? The plan is for €225 million, but there does not appear to be a justification for that figure. Are the witnesses concerned that our credibility when chairing the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am finished.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: No. It is actually the Department first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I might ask about SDG 13.A.1 on financing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I asked about the budget. I was not inquiring about the programme for Government commitment, but about our obligation under the SDGs, which is estimated at €475 million since 2020. I am concerned that the Department of Foreign Affairs is now being talked about as the lead Department. The consensus is that this funding is not overseas development aid but a separate commitment under...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Beyond climate maybe, as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have also asked about budget lines.

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (9 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have many questions. However, since I have only five minutes, I will not spend too long on the process, except to say it is unacceptable. What has happened has now happened on three occasions. It does not look like an emergency but a question of the actual strategy. Therefore, with great respect, I disagree with Senator Conway, who talked about planning. If there had been planning, we...

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (9 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: My question was in the context of Article 7, which involves transboundary consultation. The consultation in Ireland seems to be curtailed, but I understand Article 7 will still apply. On the dispatchable energy piece, it is specifically relevant, rather than being a general thing. I was quite specific that I was asking what demand-side measures will be taken in each instance when the...

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (9 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister of State asked for clarification on the questions and I would like that matter addressed. It is not an abstract question about large energy users. It is instead specific to the instances to which this Bill is conceived as being applicable. Will data centres be asked to turn down or minimise their demand before we start producing extra energy?

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Whatever energy crisis we may face, it sits within the climate crisis, which is ongoing and non-negotiable. Unfortunately, I must disagree with some of what we were told on Second Stage. Senator Maria Byrne stated that this was just for keeping the lights on and existing businesses, but we know that extra energy capacity is being sought - this information came from the Department last week...

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have been clear that of course we need to keep the lights on. That should be our priority and that is why we have not opposed the concept of emergency energy generation. What are the actual measures in prioritising how our energy is used and ensuring it is directed towards keeping the lights on that everyone is so keen on and that is so necessary? We must keep our essential services...

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am.

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There is a piece of wisdom that Senator McDowell has mentioned previously - so often, we are told things are too early and then we are told they are too late at a point in between. The issue of data centres is a clear example of that. The Senator did not say that it did not matter and he made it clear that his comments were specifically in respect of glaciers. In that context, I probably...

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be very brief.

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be.

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Section 8 allows the Minister to "prescribe such requirements and such matters of procedure and administration as appear to the Minister to be necessary or expedient in respect of an alternative assessment." I believe we may get another chance to discuss this legislation but I want to ask a question at this point. Does the Minister plan to use his power to "prescribe such requirements and...

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Mar 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I had thought this amendment was ruled out of order so some of the issues have been discussed and I will not go into them in much detail. Since it is in order, it is important we get a proper answer. We still have not really heard what demand reduction measures are being talked about or looked at. The first time we heard about it at the committee, only demand reduction at busy peak hours...