Results 3,781-3,800 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Sep 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I share the views of the previous speaker regarding the urgency for a debate on a number of matters. These include the United Nations General Assembly meeting this month, in particular, the debate on United Nations reform in regard to the current feasibility and urgency of achieving the world millennium development goals and a number of other matters relating to Turkey's accession to the...

Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Why was no explanatory memorandum given with a Bill listed for consideration today, namely the Diplomatic Relations Immunities (Amendment) Bill? This legislation has been held up for 15 years. It is a response to a Supreme Court decision some 20 years ago. It took 15 years to draft this short Bill yet there is no explanatory memorandum to explain the context of the Vienna Convention, immunity...

Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I was aiming for a higher standard.

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (28 Sep 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 162: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his proposals for the implementation of the report of the review group on the employment rights bodies; if the chair of the Employment Appeals Tribunal has expressed concern regarding the impact of proposed changes in the role of that body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25425/05]

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (28 Sep 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 179: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits issued to date under the new arrangements to give access to employment to the spouses of non-EEA nationals working in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25427/05]

Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael D Higgins: That is reasonable.

Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Cathain a fhoilseofar na leasuithe don Bhille chun Údarás na Gaeltachta a leasú?

Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Will it be early or late?

UN Reform: Statements. (1 Jul 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I want to use the 15 minutes available in the most positive way possible to deal with the important meetings that will take place at the United Nations in September, to discuss the general issue of UN reform. There is a recurring theme, which is entirely misleading, in some speeches that have been circulating in the build-up to the review of the reform of the United Nations. It is that the...

Order of Business. (1 Jul 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I agree with the thoughts expressed regarding the implementation of Nos. 20 to 22, inclusive. This is an area into which, through practice, an enormous amount of uncertainty has been imported. In the establishment of a regime, it would make sense if precise principles were laid down. However, they cannot be laid down unless debated in the House. One of my reasons for not just nodding these...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (30 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 69: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will give a commitment to develop, finance and put in place a national strategy for carers and thereby give full recognition to their role as an integral part of the health services; if he will provide adequate supports for the 150,000 family carers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23020/05]

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (30 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 313: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the date by which he expects the Government to be in a position to deliver on its commitment to provide 0.7% of gross national product for overseas development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23893/05]

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (30 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 482: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the operation scheme for the nitrates directive will be announced (details supplied); the details of the agreement with the European Union with relation to this directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24025/05]

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 685: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the Oughterard sewerage scheme; the progress made on this scheme to date; the date by which he expects and anticipates this work to have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23876/05]

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (30 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 698: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the operation scheme for the nitrates directive will be announced (details supplied); the details of the agreement with the European Union on this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24026/05]

Order of Business. (30 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: That was the ducks.

Migrant Workers. (29 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I wish to raise the need for protection under the social welfare scheme of workers, particularly migrant workers, such as those affected by the abandonment of a public contract for the refurbishment of Eyre Square in Galway for Galway City Council and earlier the workers who are at risk following the collapse of a firm in Portumna; the increasing vulnerability of migrant workers affected by...

Migrant Workers. (29 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: What do they do in the short term?

Migrant Workers. (29 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: That includes all the Poles——

G8 Summit and Overseas Development Aid: Motion (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I am pleased to be able to speak on this very fine motion proposed by the Green Party, an Comhaontas Glas. It is much more than an omnibus motion. It is a linked motion with an integrated approach and one I fully support. On behalf of the Labour Party, we are not suggesting the Government has sat on its hands. We are suggesting that the Government has broken its promise given before the...