Results 3,661-3,680 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: The charities regulation Bill and the Údarás na Gaeltachta amendment Bill have been promised from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for some time. Both Bills have celebrated their eighth birthday under the Minister. Does the Tánaiste anticipate them making the full decade before enactment or will they be withdrawn?

Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Old friends are best.

Written Answers — Prospecting Licences: Prospecting Licences (16 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 114: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the changes he is planning to make to the licensing and regulatory regime for the exploration and exploitation of natural resources here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34340/05]

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (16 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 184: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposed digital multiplex system and network service that is currently being put out to tender; if he has reviewed the recent report by the British regulator (details supplied) on the cost and power consumption implications of digital switchover; his plans to undertake a similar study of the implications...

Written Answers — Obesity Levels: Obesity Levels (15 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 130: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action which has been taken or is intended to be taken arising from the recommendations of the report of the task force on obesity in so far as they relate to her Department's areas of responsibilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34172/05]

Written Answers — Veterinary Inspection Service: Veterinary Inspection Service (15 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 169: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in regard to her reply to Question No. 124 of 4 October 2005 in which she said that on-farm slaughter of animals in any number is an exception rather than the rule and occurs in only the most exceptional circumstances, the number of occasions in the past ten years, other than during the foot and mouth disease outbreak, where such...

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I am pleased to have the opportunity of raising an outrageous abuse of a European directive and competition law for little less than the removal of the right to collective bargaining of some of the most vulnerable workers in the State. I am in a position to know about this for many reasons. I should state immediately that my wife is a member of Irish Equity. She has been for many years and...

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: It is not an association of undertakings. Those concerned are human beings.

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: That is in contravention of the convention.

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Because they do not have continuity of employment.

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: So they can be blackguarded even further.

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: So casual workers are businesses.

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: They are doing so now.

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: It is an outrageous, philistine, anti-democratic decision.

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31. (15 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent concern, namely, the deprivation of entertainment and media workers of the right to be represented by a trade union as a result of their being targeted by the Competition Authority, which regards each individual artist as a separate company and the fact that SIPTU has been forced to withdraw...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 27: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the recent issue of indictments by the International Criminal Court in the case of participants in the conflict in Northern Uganda; the response of the Lord's Resistance Army; the action the European Union and the United Nations proposes to take and the circumstances which have forced the humanitarian aid agency...

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the shortfall on international contributions to the United Nations appeal for Pakistan; the reason for such a shortfall; and the measures he intends to take by way of international pressure to ameliorate this situation as far as the European Union and the international community are concerned. [33558/05]

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: My question concentrated mostly on the international response and while I appreciate the Minister of State's detailed comments on the Irish response, it is on the international response I would like to ask him some further questions. The reality, which requires little analysis, is that $550 million has been sought, and of that, as the Minister of State noted, $133 million has been pledged. Of...

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: A proposal has been made for at least €80 million and we await the response of the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Can we fast-track the response to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament with regard to the €80 million?