Results 2,921-2,940 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (14 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 148: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if after the review of price increases for gas and electricity for 2007 a formal mechanism will be put in place to review utility prices on an ongoing basis in the context of fluctuating prices on global oil and gas markets and the harsh impact of utility prices on low income families and senior citizens; and...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (14 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 201: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the fact that a person (details supplied) is currently on a hunger strike on the basis that they wish to clear their name following suggestions, in the media and elsewhere, that they may have been part of a group seeking to invest abroad proceeds of a bank robbery; if it is possible to clarify...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. My contribution will deal more with the importance of politicians discussing prisons in general rather than the detail of the Bill. It is important that Members be very careful about the current debate on prisoners and crime. It is possible, for example, to be fair to the rights of victims and to do a great deal more than has been done...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: It is going to be tight.

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006): From the Seanad. (14 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I wish to restate points made on earlier stages of this Bill that arise now. One cannot construe the family home as an asset. If the Government wishes to acquire tax revenue from those who own assets, why not pursue those who have multiple houses here and abroad? Instead, it pursues the main residence of a person of advanced years. It is going after the home as if it were simply an asset...

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006): From the Seanad. (14 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: What is the cost of the means test?

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006): From the Seanad. (14 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: That is true.

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (13 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 113: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students in receipt of higher education grants for the 2006 to 2007 academic year; if she will provide a breakdown of that number indicating those who are in receipt of a full grant, a partial grant and a top-up grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5073/07]

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (13 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 143: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the criteria used to decide whether a student qualifies for a top-up grant; if there is discretion on grounds of hardship in the awarding of such a grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5074/07]

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (13 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 246: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on a missing persons helpline in view of the fact that for the most part information was not readily available for a considerable duration of the missing persons helpline pilot programme that lasted from October 2002 until 2003; and if he will address the needs of families of missing persons or of...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (13 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 425: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being taken by his Department to increase international action on maternal health issues in view of the adoption of a new UN target to achieve universal access to reproductive health by 2015 under Millennium Goal 5, adopted in order to reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality rate; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (13 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 426: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being taken by his Department to develop an Irish Aid strategy which addresses the rate of maternity mortality and the unmet need for modern contraception in view of the adoption of a new UN target to achieve universal access to reproductive health by 2015 under Millennium Goal 5, adopted in order to reduce by three quarters the...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (13 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 427: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the level of contributions made to the UNFPA in 2006; if his Department has developed a target for Irish funding of UNFPA for 2007; the basis upon which the amount of this allocation is decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5038/07]

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (13 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 428: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if in view of the projected population growth in sub-Saharan Africa, high maternal and infant mortality rates and the high level of AIDS and HIV infection, his Department will consider directly funding sexual and reproductive health programmes, operated by local non-governmental organisations in the area; and if he will make a statement...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (13 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: Question 429: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps his Department will take to address 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer, of which 90% are in developing countries; and if he will support the provision of the new vaccine against human papillomavirus, the virus which causes cervical cancer. [5041/07]

EU Accession Negotiations. (8 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: One would favour the admission of Turkey if the Cyprus issue and human rights issues could be resolved. I put it to the Minister there is another issue, namely, the acknowledgment of genocide in the past history, which would be compatible with squaring up to the truth. That said, is it not true that some countries in the European Union are using these issues and the delaying of the process...

Territorial Waters. (8 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome this information which I have been seeking for some time. I have also submitted a parliamentary question for a written response on an issue which is a rather sad affair, namely, about Irish oil and gas companies that have announced they are taking up licences off the former territories of the Spanish Sahara that are in fact the property of the Saharawi people. While other...

Territorial Waters. (8 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: I referred to a later written question on the illegal actions of an Irish company. The second question was whether the Minister would introduce a new marine and natural resources Bill.

Territorial Waters. (8 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: What about bilateral talks?

Territorial Waters. (8 Feb 2007)

Michael D Higgins: In anticipation of the vindication of our rights and sovereignty over an extended area, which would be very welcome, should we encourage Irish companies to respect such sovereignty elsewhere? Perhaps the Minister will write to me about this. I am raising it now, but my later question was transferred to written answer for various reasons. I would be concerned if the European Commissioner...