Results 2,461-2,480 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 30: In page 49, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: “(3) The Commission may develop educational and information programmes for primary,secondary and third-level students for the purposes of the promotion and understanding of the State’s electoral systems and to encourage students to vote at electoral events throughout their life.”.

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will truncate my comments on the amendments and would appreciate if the Minister of State could be as brief as possible also because I want to make progress. I deeply regret and deplore the fact that a Bill on the electoral system is being guillotined. That matter is not something within my reach, but I do want to try to progress through as many of the policy points as possible....

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Given that the Minister of State has indicated a willingness to engage on the question of participation, I am not going to move the amendment at this time but I indicate to him that it is an issue on which I intend to follow up directly.

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 35: In page 50, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “Electoral Register for Seanad Éireann 69.(1) A register of persons for the time being entitled to vote in every Seanad general election shall be established and maintained by the Commission. (2) In respect of the persons who are registered to vote in a Seanad general election, the...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 36: In page 50, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “Report on reform of electoral franchise for Seanad Éireann 69.The Minister shall, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining the measures that have been taken to reform— (a) the electoral franchise for the vocational...

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Amendment No. 33 is not listed on this-----

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is not on this list so there is a lack of clarity on that.

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: If non-Government amendments are included, perhaps the Leas-Chathaoirleach might indicate which ones are included. Again, we are only seeing this grouping now and it is a bit unclear. I do not believe I have any amendments in this grouping but I am double checking. I recognise that Senator Pauline O'Reilly and others raised important points regarding flimsy reusable items and that some of...

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Again, the list that we-----

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Amendment No. 37 and what other amendment?

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The issue of virgin plastic was specifically named. It should not be solely a matter of concern with regard to single-use items or cups. It is a general issue. Again, it is one that was specifically identified by the Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action as an issue around manufacturing and production and the fact that there should not only be a levy in terms of single-use...

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 3: In page 9, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “ “climate justice” reflects the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change commitments on equity and “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities” and requires that the decisions and actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions...

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will speak to the group of amendments as a whole. I am seeking to insert a definition of "climate justice" into the Bill by means of amendment No. 3. This is the definition that Senators from all Opposition groups sought to insert into the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 last summer. The reason I am seeking to insert the definition into the Bill relates to...

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I hope that these matters will be reflected in the fund when it is opened and that they are mirrored. The question of international matters is important. The discussion of the circular economy is being had in the context of EU legislation and directives.This is an area we need to be progressing collectively. We have a particular responsibility as a wealthier country to give leadership in...

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is likely. In that context, I must press the amendment because we need to have these measures copperfastened. What we do not want is that somebody gets brought in as a bit of an expert onto a committee, gives advice and directs policy while, in fact, perhaps having a large shareholding in a company that would benefit from that. We do not want even the risk of that.

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 4: In page 9, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: " "just transition" means a transition that ensures the economic, environmental and social consequences of the ecological transformation of economies and societies are managed in ways that maximise opportunities of decent work for all, reduce inequalities, promote social justice, and support...

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 11: In page 12, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: "(VII) transport, including shipping and aviation,".

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Amendment No. 11 seeks to include transport, including aviation and shipping, in the sectors listed as sectors which should be factored into the circular economy strategy. According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, transport is one of the largest sources of energy-related CO2 emissions in Ireland. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, it was responsible for over 40% of...

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be brief in response. These are international issues. It is an international challenge; it is climate change. In that sense, I believe it is appropriate we look to the wider context.We are connected. This is not a local or national issue. It is not something around which we can draw a boundary. It is an international issue and we are a part of the international community....

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 12: In page 12, to delete lines 35 and 36 and substitute the following: “(iii) shall ensure that criteria relating to the circular economy including, but not limited to, life-cycle costing and waste prevention criteria are utilised in public procurement.”.