Results 3,001-3,020 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: At the launch of the human development report I addressed the issue of the contradiction concerning what is regarded as the management of water as a scarce resource which is used as a vehicle for imposing privatisation of water supplies in different countries. This cannot be reconciled with the acceptance of water as a basic right. If one accepts water as a basic right, one arrives at a...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Two questions were taken together. I suggest to the Minister of State that he reconsider the position in regard to our role both in the World Bank and internationally. It is hard law rather than soft law because one could interpret the universal declaration in the sense that a right to water is included under the right to health. The reason I put General Covenant No. 15 into the question...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Exactly.

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: That is a slippery slope.

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland proposes to take further initiatives at national or European level to address the tragic and deteriorating situation in Darfur which has led to loss of life, dispossession and violence against the person on a scale that constitutes genocide; if Ireland, as proposed to him at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, will organise...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I very much thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the fact we will have an opportunity to discuss a motion on Darfur early next week in plenary session. Is the Minister concerned that what is taking place in Darfur is a test of the United Nations commitment to the concept of humanitarian protection? Put more bluntly, is it not an abuse of sovereignty to prevent the United Nations from...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: The first issue was about the concept of humanitarian protection, which the UN is seeking to advance.

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Is the Minister concerned at the enormous gap in the estimates for those who have been killed in the last two years? Some international bodies have given a figure of 50,000 to 60,000, but the most authoritative recent report suggests it is as high as 400,000.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Not at all.

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: They made arrests.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 64: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the work of the RCT monitoring group; the number of audits that have been carried out to date in 2006 on construction companies; the number of site visits conducted by the Revenue Commissioners Office in 2006; the yield from these audits; the percentage of tax due from these audits that is to be collected; the number of...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (22 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 134: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Financial Regulator has conducted a study into the penalty charges charged to consumers here by credit card companies; if there are proposals to regulate and limit these charges as has been enforced by the Office of Fair Trading in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39242/06]

Housing Policy: Motion (Resumed). (22 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this debate. I propose to share time with Deputy Gilmore.

Housing Policy: Motion (Resumed). (22 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: One would need great neck to make the claim the Minister of State has made that the Government is succeeding on the basic issue of housing. How many units of social housing did the Government promise, how many units did the NESC tell us were necessary and how many have been provided? This Government, which strongly represents the speculative mentality in regard to the building of homes, has...

Housing Policy: Motion (Resumed). (22 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: That is its mark, aim and achievement in government. We have explicitly stated that we will put an end to the sale of State land. To those who ask how they are to know the difference between one party and another in government, it is in this motion. If one wants to imagine nothing can be done about housing speculation or the market, then one can have more of the same misery. If one wants a...

Housing Policy: Motion (Resumed). (22 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: A home in Fianna Fáil thinking, already contaminated by the Progressive Democrats, is an asset and no longer a home in this republic of greed. How can Ireland be the second richest country in the world yet have the second lowest level of social protection in comparison with its European neighbours? Why will the Government not accept a rights-based approach to shelter? Why will it not...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 159: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will review his position in relation to the commission of inquiry proposal from the Shell to Sea campaign; his views on face to face talks between representatives of the Erris and north Mayo community and the management teams of companies (details supplied); the way the present stand off will be resolved...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 172: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way his Department assesses the latest claims by offshore exploration companies which seem to indicate a very bright future for the industry in extracting Ireland's offshore oil and gas reserves; when he expects to receive the Indecon report on the review of Irish mineral and offshore licensing; and his...

Written Answers — Clár Tógála Scoileanna: Clár Tógála Scoileanna (21 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 512: To ask the Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta an bhfuil suíomh aimsithe do Ghaelscoil Dara, An Rinn Mhór, i gcathair na Gaillimhe agus an bhfuil an t-iarstáisiún aimsire san áireamh. [38520/06]

Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (21 Nov 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 549: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position with regard to the impending closure of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; the prospects of the future retention of teaching at this secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39050/06]