Results 3,741-3,760 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Order of Business. (12 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Will the Government make time available to discuss the earthquake in Asia and the international response to it?

Written Answers — School Curriculum: School Curriculum (11 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 47: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will review her Department's entire approach to the teaching and examining of Irish in light of worrying reports on falling standards in both Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27652/05]

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 223: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in the investigation of the death of a person (details supplied) in Saudi Arabia in August 2004; the requests the Government has made to the Saudi Arabian authorities for an investigation in relation to this matter, the progress that has been made with such request; and his views on whether the reasonable request, made...

Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: On the occasion of its 25th anniversary Údarás na Gaeltachta stated it would welcome the conferral of additional powers. Will the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill be brought before the House in this session or this year?

Educational Disadvantage. (11 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 10: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will publish her detailed proposals on addressing educational disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27654/05]

Arms Trade. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he favours an arms sale treaty in this jurisdiction and in the European Union, such as would end the sale of armaments to conflict zones in the poorest regions of the world by member states of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27214/05]

Arms Trade. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Is the Minister in a position to comment on the complete review of the 1998 European Union code of conduct on arms sales? Will he also comment on the significance of the support by 13 countries at the recent meeting at the United Nations for such a treaty? Is it of concern to him that one third of all arms deals in the world now come from the European Union? With the enlarged EU, more than...

Arms Trade. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Is the Minister concerned that the amount of funds committed to development is about 5% of the annual expenditure on armaments? Some EU countries, including participants in the recent Edinburgh summit, are major exporters of arms, in particular to African countries and sources of conflict. It is not a matter of export being a neutral measure. Arms make their way to third countries through,...

Arms Trade. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Despite the prohibition on export of arms to Zimbabwe, the export of 66 four-wheel trucks was defended by the Austrian Government on the basis that they were not fitted out with guns and combat equipment. Does the Minister agree that is a breech of the fundamental principle of the limited ban introduced by the EU regarding Zimbabwe?

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I visited in the past few weeks, for the second time this year, the area to which the questions nominated by me refer. I was referring specifically to the recently recognised town of Ma'ala Adumim, which was founded in 1975 and which has a population of 25,000. The conclusions of the meeting on 3 October to which the Minister referred make no reference to the illegality of the expansion of...

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: When I left Ramallah, it was clear that the military orders had been made for the possession of what was regarded as state land. What is effectively being extended beyond east Jerusalem is half the size of Paris. The net effect will be to cut off on the north side of the south axis any possibility of a viable Palestinian state. There is no indication in any talks that Israel intends either to...

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Will the Minister agree to bring a proposal to the general council that an official of the European Union should be appointed to monitor the human rights clauses in the association agreement?

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Yes, of Foreign Ministers.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: On a point of order, will my question be restored to the Order Paper? I am grateful to Deputy O'Donnell for her support.

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Will the question I tabled properly as a priority question be restored to the Order Paper for answer this afternoon?

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I am informed that the Minister's information is incorrect. It is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it has been ratified and has become an international instrument. It is not a matter for that Department ——

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: The question dealt with ratification and canvassing of support for ratification to enable it. The one word that the Minister's Department is using is "implementation".

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Implementation is relevant when it is an international legal instrument.

The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act: Motion. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Mar urlabhraí ar ghnóthaí eachtracha ar son Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre, tááthas orm tacú leis an rún seo agus tá súil agam go mbeidh toradh maith ag baint leis nuair a chuirfear i gcrích é. As spokesperson of the Labour Party, I welcome this all-party motion. I also join with others in commending the initiatives of Senators Kennedy and McCain of the United States in seeking to...

Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael D Higgins: We would support that.