Results 3,341-3,360 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins
- Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (11 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: Question 41: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons in receipt of rent supplement in respect of each of the past five years; the amount paid out in rent supplements; the number of landlords to whom rent supplement was paid; the average annual payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17371/06]
- Order of Business. (11 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: On a point of order, this matter has previously been raised on the Order of Business and it has been promised from the Government benches that the United Nations Convention against Corruption would be signed shortly. It has also been suggested that making human rights legislation North and South coterminous with each other would be done in the lifetime of the Government. It is not true to say...
- Order of Business. (11 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: It is quite outrageous that the Minister can be dismissive of a breach of the Good Friday Agreement.
- Order of Business. (11 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: It is probably very big as well.
- Order of Business. (11 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: I wish to ask about promised legislation.
- Order of Business. (11 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: The United Nations Convention against Corruption has been indicated for signature and ratification. I also wish to ask about the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture. The terms of the Good Friday Agreement require human rights legislation North and South to be on the same level. Is the Minister concerned that in the case of the second one we are not in harmony as...
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: When does the Government propose to sign the United Nations Convention against Corruption? How many countries in the EU have done so and when will the others do so? On Europe Day, can the Minister of State provide details of the total amount of committed, lodged but unallocated money for development purposes from the European Union? Can some of this money be used for the replacement of cattle...
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: Is it the view of the European Union that we should not force countries to accept genetically modified foods as is happening at present? Is the view of the Minister of State and that of the European Development Ministers different from that of the World Bank in promoting the privatisation of water supplies, particularly in Africa where countries struggle to achieve universal provision? If the...
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: It is the policy of the World Bank.
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: The Minister of State did not reply to my question on the UN Convention against Torture. I also asked about the replacement of cattle.
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: Yes, that is what I meant.
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: No, it is not.
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: It is a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs. The debate about corruption in Africa is terribly important.
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: There are studies in the Nordic countries; for example that of Professor Svendsen in Denmark, suggesting that it is helpful to publish and make transparent the transfers within a country. The European Union's influence on corruption is reduced because it has not signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: Why do we not sign the convention?
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: I support the Minister of State on all those issues but why do we and other European countries not sign the convention in order to have some credibility? That is the issue. All the rest is fine but when will we sign?
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this matter. I wish to put some questions to the Minister of State. While I have wished him well in all of his endeavours to date, some conclusions might be drawn from an earlier presentation that affect what has been said on one of the topics with which he is dealing, namely, the resumed WTO talks. The latter have been described by...
- Europe and the Developing World: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: These issues will not go away. On the Minister of State's reference to the EPA negotiations between the EU and developing countries, in many cases the EU was seeking more than originally envisaged. That approach was rejected in the initial WTO talks. The developing countries, particularly those in Africa, sought time, flexibility and exemptions for developments they wished to provide by way...
- Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)
Michael D Higgins: Yes, 34 countries have ratified the convention.