Results 3,301-3,320 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 217: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of Ireland in relation to the expansion of settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank; the threat of unilateral action in this regard outside of the framework of the roadmap for peace; the statements which have been made in recent times by either the Government or the European Union in relation to such illegality; and if...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 221: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received a request under section 11 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, from a person or body connected with decision making on asylum applications to make inquiries or to furnish information as to the situation in Afghanistan in terms of security, stability of governance and respect for human rights, both generally and with...

Decentralisation Programme. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: There will be plenty of opportunities for promotion there.

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: While I am grateful to the Minister of State, perhaps the clarification in the long reply was insufficient. After the meeting at Farmleigh, the joint statement issued by the two Governments suggested that Sinn Féin needed to confront the issue of policing once and for all. It noted that by the summer, the Governments wanted Sinn Féin to give full recognition to the PSNI for the first time...

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Does the Minister of State wish to see much of this take place before November?

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Yes.

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: On the 61 outstanding items on the Patten list, is it the Government's position that it asks Sinn Féin to make a gesture of trust and to become involved before the 61 items are completely resolved? Paradoxically, one of the items is the participation of Sinn Féin itself. Is that the position? Second, does the Minister of State view such an act of trust as being essential before November?...

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: How did it help matters for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to suggest that none of this was really that important before November?

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: That is a most worthy sentiment. The Minister for Foreign Affairs also made some other comments to the effect that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, was on a kind of electoral stunt regarding the anti-criminality campaign. I believe the phrase used was "electoralism". He more or less said that certain things get said in the run-in to an election, which was...

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Does the Minister of State agree it would be entirely helpful for him to ask his colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to clarify the issues raised by Deputy Ó Caoláin rather than leave them out there? If they are not clarified, they will become another obstacle to the decision that will be taken by the members of Sinn Féin, which should be avoided.

Human Rights Issues. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Will the Minister of State consider increasing significantly the aid to Nepal that provides institutional assistance that is needed in the short term, such as personnel and technical assistance?

Middle East Peace Process. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: That is right.

Nuclear Disarmament Initiative. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Question 56: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position Ireland proposes to take as a member of the nuclear suppliers group in relation to the implementation of the recent proposed US agreement with India on nuclear capacity; and his views on the implications of this proposal for the future of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the perceived inconsistency between this proposal...

Nuclear Disarmament Initiative. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister of State is somebody for whom I have respect so what I have to say is in no sense personal. However, this is an entirely misleading presentation not the situation. On Friday, there will be a meeting in Rio of the nuclear suppliers group, otherwise known since 1977 as the Club of London. Ireland will be called upon to make up its mind. It will have an opportunity at that meeting,...

Nuclear Disarmament Initiative. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: Two days.

Nuclear Disarmament Initiative. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: How will the Minister of State vote at the meeting? Will he refuse to deliver at the Rio meeting on Friday? That is a straight question.

Nuclear Disarmament Initiative. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: That is clear.

Nuclear Disarmament Initiative. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: It is outside the treaty; it is joining China.

Nuclear Disarmament Initiative. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: How will the Minister vote? Will he vote in favour of the treaty or of giving India carte blanche to join China, Russia, France and Britain?

Nuclear Disarmament Initiative. (24 May 2006)

Michael D Higgins: No, in two days' time.