Results 3,381-3,400 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes.

Seanad: Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the fact that we are taking action by way of an intervention in terms of electricity. I understand the case the Minister made in that this is a measure he wants to move on speedily and the logic that was presented. I have no doubt it will make a big difference to many households. I would not diminish the impact it may have but I would point out, whatever about the speed that is...

Seanad: Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: For clarity-----

Seanad: Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I said the overall retrofitting scheme did not do enough to target those on lower incomes.

Seanad: Report of Joint Committee on the Carbon Budget: Motion (15 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I see that the Minister is staying. I thank him for doing so. We have all been waiting a long time for the national carbon budgets. Like everybody else, I am very keen to see them implemented and to see a new, harder, firmer structure to our climate ambition. We have a duty, however, to make sure we get the budgets right, and we need to be very clear that getting them right does not delay...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Commission for Regulation of Utilities Strategic Plan: Discussion (15 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will come to my questions. I reacted quite strongly because I was concerned. The position on data centres has changed but we still do not have that assurance that it will only be on renewable energy as we look at a moratorium. Given that we know that different kinds of data are being processed that may need to be prioritised if we have an energy crunch, what do the witnesses think about...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Commission for Regulation of Utilities Strategic Plan: Discussion (15 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We heard very serious concerns before last summer about the level of potential consumption of energy by data centres. We had a somewhat disappointing discussion about this matter in the autumn. Since then, new guidance has been given, new progress has been made and new measures have been taken, however, I am concerned when we see what is happening in Ennis and in other places. There may be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Commission for Regulation of Utilities Strategic Plan: Discussion (15 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: That is the exact example I would give. It is a case of cryptocurrency versus the hospital data we need to keep going. I thank the Chair for adding that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Commission for Regulation of Utilities Strategic Plan: Discussion (15 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: If security of supply was addressed in this note, why was the decarbonisation issue not addressed at the same time? If they are two of the four strands in the strategy, to address the security of supply rules but not to have added in clear and hard rules on the requirement of, for example, renewable or zero-carbon energy seems to be an opportunity missed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Commission for Regulation of Utilities Strategic Plan: Discussion (15 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I think it is an area that needs regulation, not market vulnerability.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Commission for Regulation of Utilities Strategic Plan: Discussion (15 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I was late in joining the session so I apologise if I go over ground that may have been covered. I am extremely concerned about what I heard during the last few questions and answers. There seems to be almost an abdication of responsibility regarding the fundamental public policy goals we must achieve and even on the CRU's own strategic plan in terms of enabling security of supply and...

Seanad: Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill 2021: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be brief because I am conscious that we want to finish Committee Stage today. I am glad to see this being progressed and to see the support across the House. It is important to remember that in the debate prior to the referendum, it was extremely difficult for people to come forward and to talk about their experiences. We had decades of silence when people were intimidated with...

Seanad: Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill 2021: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The amendments reflect the fact that Senator Gavan and the many lawyers and academics working with Together for Safety, as well as the campaigners themselves, have listened to the concerns raised. I imagine that because there has been a collegial spirit in the approach to this legislation and that because that approach has been so cross-party in nature, then if there are further thoughts,...

Seanad: Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill 2021: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 4: In page 4, line 15, after “person” to insert “or a series of persons”. I will briefly comment on amendment No. 2. I supported it but again it was an example of the question about pharmacies and the question about students' unions. Those concerns no longer stand now that the amendment has been agreed because it is very clear that it is...

Seanad: Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill 2021: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 9: In page 4, line 32, after “of” where it firstly occurs to insert “supporting access to or”. With amendment No. 9, I am seeking to ensure that somebody who might be accompanying somebody else - for example, a spouse - would not inadvertently fall under the text of the Bill. However, I am happy to withdraw the amendment now and address...

Seanad: Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill 2021: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I assure Senator Mullen that he is safe in his coffee shop. That is not covered by the legislation and such a situation would not arise. The meaning of the phrase "express or demonstrate" is very clearly, and in a nuanced way, set out and categorised under subsection (2). The latter describes exactly what is included, for the purpose of subsection (1), within the phrase "express or...

Seanad: Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill 2021: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Advising and seeking to influence are at issue but it is not around a person expressing his or her views. Anybody can sit in a coffee shop and express his or her views but not with the intention of either influencing or intimidating another person. The issue is spelled out in some nuance and with some thought and detail under subsection (2).

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I commend Senator Flynn on this legislation and, indeed, Ms Jessica Bray in her office and all those whom I know worked closely with her and, of course, the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA, the Bills Office and others who have supported the work. I am incredibly proud to have Senator Flynn as part of our Civil Engagement Group. In the course of this Seanad, she has shown...