Results 2,341-2,360 of 8,768 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I did not want to interrupt the very lovely speeches for another excellent candidate, Senator Buttimer, but a minor point of procedure to flag is that I had indicated first. I do not know if it is possible to reflect that in the order in which the motions were taken but it would be good if it was because it is good we get to have all the opportunities to vote that we can. I thank the Acting...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I congratulate all those who are rotating roles, namely, Senators Pauline O'Reilly, Garvey, Kyne and Gallagher, as well as the Leader and Deputy Leader. I acknowledge in particular the outgoing Leader, Senator Doherty, who spoke beautifully on the Order of Business yesterday about her experience of coming into the Seanad and what it means to her. During her period as Leader, we have faced...

Seanad: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I begin by paying tribute to Senator Joe O'Reilly. He has been a very good Leas-Chathaoirleach. As previous speakers stated, he is one of the most decent and good people I have known in politics. I regard him as a friend. As well as always bringing care, kindness and tolerance to his role as Leas-Chathaoirleach and to any part of his engagement with colleagues across the House, he has a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I join in expressing condolences to the young peacekeeper who lost his life and the peacekeeper who was injured in the service of the UN and a more peaceful world. That is a very sad thing. He was undertaking very important work. It is wonderful to hear such pride in the Seanad and what it has been historically. This year's Seanad 100 events have given us a chance to look at what it has...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for his response to my amendments. I would have liked more elaboration on the Government’s amendments because the proposals that the Government is putting forward will have significant consequences. While my amendments to the amendments have been addressed, but when the Minister of State has the opportunity to come in again, he might elaborate on what...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: No, we are probably slightly more than that. Amendment No. 11 seeks to insert a new subsection after subsection (3). I have mentioned that in regard to Part XAB. Amendment No. 12 relates to the "mays" and "shalls" that we often come to in this House, but which can be so significant. There is a reference to the fact that the Minister may make regulations providing for "all of the following...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Specific questions were asked on specific amendments. It would be useful to have answers to decide whether to push them. I ask the Minister of State to address them.

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Serious concerns about An Bord Pleanála have been flagged for a long time. We have heard a lot about the Government learning from things. I welcome the inclusion of a use it or lose it requirement in the section. We looked for such a requirement when SHDs were going through and we were not given it. We flagged concerns on SHDs back in 2016 and they were not listened to. That is why...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: That is very dangerous and that is the kind of situation that happens when people almost want to take advantage of people's other commitments and the fact they must schedule their time. Again, it leads to bad decisions. I am not looking to remove the provision of remote conferencing but I am saying that if there is a remote meeting, 72 hours' notice should be given. That is very...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 1: In page 10, line 18, after "time" to insert ", where notice of such a meeting has been provided not less than 72 hours in advance,".

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 2: In page 10, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: "(8A) Where a meeting takes place using remote video or telephone conferencing facilities or other means of communication provided for under subsection (8), the quorum for such a meeting shall be 5 members.".

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 3: In page 11, line 6, after "can" to insert "practically".

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 4: In page 11, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: "(fa) for the avoidance of doubt, any land or portion of land which is owned by a state authority but is not zoned exclusively for residential use, shall not be relevant under this section,".

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 5: In page 11, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "(1A) This section shall not apply to a housing development which may have a significant effect on the environment and any such determination needs to be made publicly available at least 12 weeks prior to the notification of the commencement for the development provided for under subsection (2).".

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 6: In page 12, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: "(ga) procedures for determining whether the development is one which may have a significant effect on the environment and where public participation is therefore required, and the publication of any such determination and the information relied upon, and should include in particular determinations...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No 7: In page 12, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(3A) Regulations made in respect of subsection (3)(a), (b) and (d) shall not specify a notice period of less than 5 weeks.”.

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 8: In page 12, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(3A) In respect of subsection (3)(c), documents, particulars, plans or other information, in relation to the development, shall be made available for inspection by the public both online and in person for a period of not less than 5 weeks.”.

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 9: In page 12, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(3A) Any procedures which the Minister may regulate for under subsection (3) (f) shall be consistent with the procedures set out in Part X of the Act of 2000 and any further requirements under Article 4 of the Environmental Impact Assessments Directive.”.

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Dec 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 10: In page 12, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(3A) Any procedures which the Minister may regulate for under subsection (3) (f) shall be consistent with the procedures set out in Part X of the Act of 2000.”.