Results 3,441-3,460 of 7,975 for speaker:Joe Higgins

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: 103. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the protests he has lodged with the Russian authorities in view of the recent laws enacted there that criminalise persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37653/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IBRC Bond Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: 132. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding developers bonds worth €7,517,371 that were held in the now liquidated Irish Bank Resolution Corporation for housing estates in the Fingal Council area. [36992/13]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: 480. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider introducing legislation to give effect to a cooling-off period for the purchase of goods or services that arise from unsolicited calls by sales representatives to citizens, similar to regulations that currently exist in Australia. [37649/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Eligibility (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: 551. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is considering allowing job seekers to gain experience of workplaces without losing their social welfare payments; and if this is being considered, the conditions that will be in place to guard against job displacement or use of cheap labour. [36903/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Regeneration Projects Funding (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: 843. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the response to the request for a meeting from groups (details supplied) to discuss a local regeneration issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36823/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Assisted Human Reproduction Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: 1282. To ask the Minister for Health the work that has been done to date to bring forward legislation on stem cell research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36861/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: 1325. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the waiting times for paediatric rheumatology services and if he will confirm his plans to provide more full time staff to this service to cater fully for the needs of patients [37253/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: The figures given by Mr. Martin with regard to dementia are really stark. They have not been commented on so far, to my knowledge. According to his organisation's submission, some 41,700 people have dementia. That figure will increase to 67,500 by 2021 and over 140,000 by 2041. What are the implications of these striking figures for our society, Government policy and budgeting? We are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: In the last paragraph of Mr. Harty's document the case is made for "phased outsourcing".

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: Should we not have a properly run, efficient and properly funded State service? It could be shaken up when needed. That is the real alternative.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: The Irish Medical Organisation submission gets it correct in the first sentence which refers to austerity and the ongoing recession having a detrimental impact on the health of the population and our health system. The submission further states that the IMO is also concerned about growing health inequalities and inequalities in access to care. These are all very serious issues arising from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: There is a huge problem in this country with alcohol abuse and addiction. I do not think higher excise duty is the answer, just as I do not think higher excise duty on cigarettes is the answer. I vote against the latter in every budget because it is a cheap shot by Governments to raise more money on the basis of health concerns. However, the issue will have to be addressed and the question...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: I ask Mr. Dillon to clarify the reference in his submission to removing disproportionate penalties for incorrectly reporting offshore fund events.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: I am sure Mr. Keegan's accountancy bodies include those which represent small accountants, people who will help others like me when they are in the European Parliament and small businesses. However, I am sure they also include precisely the practices Mr. Keegan said were dangerous. Many people would put it much more bluntly in respect of robust tax avoidance by saying some elements in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: That cannot be done by cutting their social welfare rates.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: It also speaks to the very low levels of wages which are paid by many enterprises. That is the reality. How can someone survive-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: Could Mr. Noonan survive on that minimum wage? Would he like to be obliged to live on it? Surviving on the minimum wage is virtually impossible and Mr. Noonan is aware of that fact.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: Not if one increases it in respect of people who earn over €100,000 or €120,000.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: I have listened to statements from the three organisations for many years and read their submissions to the joint committee. Essentially, these organisations are all supporters of Government austerity policies. They are endorsing a further savaging in the upcoming budget of public services and cuts of another €2.6 billion. This puzzles me. A colleague organisation of Mr. Noonan's...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Financial Sector: Discussion with Permanent TSB (5 Sep 2013)

Joe Higgins: I did not say anything about a viable and profitable bank. Has Mr. Masding discussed with the Minister for Finance or considered, as a State-owned entity, a global approach to this disaster?