Results 2,561-2,580 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (23 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 138: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Irish Government's position in relation to the recent decision by the Israeli Government to appropriate the land of four Palestinian villages for the purpose of building new settlements and a new highway which will cut east Jerusalem off from the West Bank, in view of the fact that such actions are in flagrant breach of the agreement...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I am grateful for the Minister's comprehensive reply and I appreciate he replied to a number of questions. I am also grateful for the consensus that appears to exist in regard to events in Burma. My question is concentrated specifically on the whereabouts of 4,000 people who were arrested mostly in Rangoon and elsewhere and whom it is widely perceived have been initially detained but...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Has the European Union considered sending a mission to Burma? It is very clear that such a mission would be independent of the neighbouring countries and therefore would have more flexibility. It could be effective with regard to going past the point of detention to having talks addressed at reconciliation, inclusive of those who support Aung San Suu Kyi. I have in mind somebody such as...

Millennium Development Goals. (23 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 83: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the fact that so many countries are on course to fail reaching the UN millennium goals and that a recent report, the Global Hunger Index 2007, shows that in countries following the neoliberal model, even where there are high growth rates, the number of those in hunger is increasing, with India, for example, in 94th place of...

Millennium Development Goals. (23 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: In regard to the second part of my question, is the Minister of State concerned that in those countries where the neoliberal model of economic transition is being imposed through the IMF and through some conditions attached to the World Bank, some of the most significant and disturbing failures in regard to achieving the world millennium development goals have arisen? For example, 40% of the...

Millennium Development Goals. (23 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: While there has been an improvement in Bangladesh and Mali when using the same index with the same indicators, we find that progress in India towards the relief of child malnutrition and infant mortality has stopped. Does the Minister of State favour the Department and in particular the development section evaluating the impact of some alternative economic models? Particularly in the case...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 87: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to give information on the whereabouts of the 4,000 monks, among others, arrested in Rangoon, detained outside of their monasteries and removed to an unspecified destination; if he has sought information; and if the European Union has raised the matter with the Burmese Government. [24974/07]

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (18 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 78: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the Navan rail line project; when the Navan rail line will be reopened; if the scoping study has been completed; if so, if he will publish it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24249/07]

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (17 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 136: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the effect of the Health Service Executive recruitment embargo on the discharge of patients in hospitals where social workers who arrange the discharge have not been replaced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24008/07]

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (16 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his Department's forecast for the expected level of economic growth for the full year of 2007; the way this compares with the forecast he gave in his budget 2007 speech; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23676/07]

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (16 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 129: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his Department's forecast for the expected increase in the consumer price index for the full year of 2007; the way this compares with the forecast he gave in his budget 2007 speech; his views on whether the level of inflation continues to run at 5%; the measures he will take to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 29: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on reports that his Department is examining the way private-sector investment in broadband can be encouraged; the implications of same for Government intervention in the broadband market; his views on whether this is an admittance of the Government's failure to implement broadband; and if he will make...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 42: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the tendering process for the State's emergency call service; when it will be implemented; the amount it will cost; if there will be a period when some people may be left without this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23084/07]

Establishment of Committees (11 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I very much welcome the opportunity to make some preliminary remarks on the committee system, which remarks are but a small part of the debate we desperately need to have on parliamentary reform. The amount of time allocated for this debate, while welcome as a beginning, is totally insufficient to address the crisis of parliamentarism with which we are dealing. In this regard, when I...

Establishment of Committees (11 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: That is right.

Establishment of Committees (11 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Yes, indeed.

Establishment of Committees (11 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Yes.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: It must be the pike.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Unfortunately, some comments made after the recent confrontation between peaceful demonstrators and the junta in Myanmar concentrated on the removal of the threat of immediate casualties or a repeat of the 1988 massacres. One can understand this but there has been less public attention on the detentions and the transportation of detainees to labour camps in the north of Myanmar. I support...

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Michael D Higgins: ——but it must be debated soon.