Results 2,161-2,180 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 201: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the purpose and effect of the European Communities (Internal Market in Natural Gas) (Compulsory Acquisition) Regulations (S.I. No. 517 of 2001); the provisions of Directive 98/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998, regarding common rules for the internal market in natural gas,...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 202: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Article 4 of Directive 980/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998, contain the giving of powers of compulsory acquisition. [17000/08]

International Crises. (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: It is important in trying to unravel the atmosphere that stands at the back of the present position in Zimbabwe to recognise the Lancaster House dimension to it and that the decolonisation act was not fulfilled adequately by Britain. This is part of the explanation of the origin of violence but it is different from the violence for which President Mugabe is responsible. While the Minister...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Some years ago I visited Beijing and Lhasa with other members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. Does the Minister of State agree that great caution needs to be taken about accepting news of the Han deaths that have been reported from Tibet? It is a complex issue but will the Minister of State agree that in terms of international law what is taking place in Tibet is the consequence...

United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I have respect for the Minister of State so he will excuse my stating that the reply conveys a disastrous failure with regard to United Nations reform. Drawing on his previous experience, he will recall no doubt that in 1981 the late and distinguished Erskine Childers and Brian Urquhart produced two excellent volumes on reform of the United Nations. It is interesting to note that those...

United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Yes. With regard to development co-operation, it is not only that Ireland seeks a more representative Security Council within the UN. I suspect the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, may be better informed than most with regard to my next comment. The domination by the permanent members of the Security Council of a number of key posts, such as the offices of the UNDP, means they are...

United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: It is all we have.

Overseas Development Aid. (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: It would help to resolve this issue if we could move beyond the parameters of strictly financial audit. I accept there may be circumstances where there is another client apart from the State. In such cases, it is appropriate that there be restrictions. What might be required is an implementation group that includes the financial audit. In place of relying on the annual report of the audit...

Overseas Development Aid. (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Will the Minister of State consider my proposal on Irish Aid funding internships?

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts the European Union and Ireland are making to ensure a democratic response to the recent elections that have been held in Zimbabwe; the details of the talks that have been held with the African Union and neighbouring countries of Zimbabwe; and his views on the statements of leaders of civil society that the country stands on the...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I am grateful to the Minister of State for his reply. However, I would like to hear a little more on the conversations with Zimbabwe's neighbours, particularly South Africa. Is the Irish Government satisfied with the role of the South African Government on the continuing position in Zimbabwe? What efforts did the Irish Government make to have election observers appointed for the recent...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I appreciate the Minister of State's broad sympathy with my questions and I agree with his answers. What is the position of the Government in respect of a run-off election? Will it send observers? This is practical. My next question relates to the previous one. Is the Irish Government concerned at the dispatch of a boat carrying armaments from China to southern Africa? Does he agree...

Overseas Development Aid. (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: It is the small producers in Africa who are the most productive.

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Will the Government arrange time for a debate on its response to the report of the Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, on his visit to Ireland from 26 to 30 November 2007? I say this because Mr. Hammarberg's report is to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly. Our relationship with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of...

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Which Minister will be responsible for the debate that is promised or will there be a reallocation next week? I presume so because I very rarely delay on the Order of Business. When the human rights dimension was accepted as part of foreign policy, it was one of the great reforming moments in Irish foreign policy. This goes back to the White Paper. It does not serve anybody well that...

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (30 Apr 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 97: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of staff, and the operational cost of the taxi regulator's office. [16807/08]

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (30 Apr 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 98: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that only three of the 16-strong advisory council established under Part 4 of the Taxi Regulations Act 2003 are drawn from the ranks of those who have taxi driving experience. [16808/08]

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (30 Apr 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 99: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in the powers delegated to the taxi regulator, it was understood that taxi driving would be a sustainable livelihood; if further such a livelihood was envisaged as being a full-time occupation for the majority of taxi drivers; and if it was envisaged that training in the skills necessary for a full-time occupation would be provided. [16809/08]

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (30 Apr 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 100: To ask the Minister for Transport the results of a visit by an investigative group from the European Parliament some time ago which examined the impact and consequences of deregulation in the Irish case. [16810/08]

Written Answers — Hospital Staff: Hospital Staff (29 Apr 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 45: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the Cork University Hospital report into the appointment of a pathologist (details supplied) which was commissioned in August 2007 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16255/08]