Results 3,941-3,960 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

National Security Committee. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Arising from the Taoiseach's reply, does he not agree that the usual procedures associated with the landing of a civilian aircraft at Shannon Airport are not being fulfilled? The aircraft in question, which has been described in the international and local press——

National Security Committee. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Is the Taoiseach concerned that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has said he would be appalled if Irish facilities were used to service an aircraft that was used for facilitating breaches against the international convention on torture? The Minister for Defence has said he cannot give an answer one way or the other. Will the Taoiseach undertake to investigate the report that...

National Security Committee. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: It is not solely a matter of concern to the Irish press. Is the Taoiseach concerned about the reputation of the country internationally?

Middle East Peace Process. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 59: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the proposed withdrawal from Gaza announced by Israeli Prime Minister Sharon is the first step in a comprehensive set of initiatives within the context of the road map for peace or, as some have suggested, is an attempt to develop an alternative to the road map for peace; his further views on whether the recent...

Middle East Peace Process. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. May I ask him specifically if there is evidence that the issue of east Jerusalem is on the table for negotiation and resolution on the part of Israel? With reference to his remarks about the reduction in settlement in the West Bank, is he aware that the withdrawal from Gaza, if it included all settlers, would be 7,500 settlers, whereas in the...

Middle East Peace Process. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Regarding the decision of the International Court of Justice on the routing of the wall on Palestinian territory and the later decision by the Israeli Supreme Court that the incursion into Palestinian territory is excessive, is there any indication from the Israeli authorities that they will withdraw to the green line? I visited Palestine a few weeks ago. Is the Minister satisfied the...

Diplomatic Representation. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: We do not know that.

Emigrant Support Services. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 62: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has discussed or he has had discussions with his British counterparts on the possibility of providing Irish television services, free travel and other such benefits for senior citizen Irish immigrants when they return to visit Ireland and for emigrant communities living outside this country, predominantly in the United...

Emigrant Support Services. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs for his reply. Some months ago Deputy Stagg and representatives from the Labour Party visited Irish emigrant communities in Britain. Some weeks ago, I also visited them with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. A number of issues referred to by the Minister were raised with us. Between 1955 and 1960, approximately 250,000 people left Ireland for...

Emigrant Support Services. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: In regard to the television component of my question, what I suggested was a commissioning structure rather than a rebroadcasting or relay structure. Will the Minister ask the Irish abroad unit to consider that? The difference is that if one purchases in programmes, one avoids the difficulties in regard to RTE's purchase of programmes in competition with others. The second issue is that there...

Nuclear Weapons Programme. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Is it the Minister's understanding that the non-proliferation agreement involves the reduction in nuclear capacity of those with existing nuclear capacity as well as the prohibition of the extension of nuclear capacity to countries such as the DPRK? I agree with the Minister that such developments could be seriously destabilising to the region. How does the six-nation approach in the case of...

Nuclear Weapons Programme. (8 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Does the Minister agree with my interpretation of the non-proliferation agreement that it was always the intention that there would be a reduction in existing nuclear capacity?

Written Answers — National Minimum Wage: National Minimum Wage (3 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 52: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons on the national minimum wage who are expected to be brought back into the tax net if the increase to €7.65 per week, as recommended by the Labour Court, is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7154/05]

State Properties. (3 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 9: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the planned sale of State property announced; if he will list the property sold and the amount raised; the way in which the money raised has been used; the properties it is planned to sell during 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7155/05]

Written Answers — Land Prices: Land Prices (2 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 82: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the continuing increase in the price of farm land identified by the CSO, which is running way above the level of general inflation; her views on the implications of this rise for farmers who wish to expand or for persons who wish to enter farming for the first time; and if she will make a statement on...

Written Answers — Farm Household Incomes: Farm Household Incomes (2 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 133: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers who have left full-time farming since 1997; her views on the fall in the number of full-time farmers; the steps she is taking to deal with the drift from the land; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6959/05]

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (1 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 98: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for joint procurement of arms and equipment for the Defence Forces and the military forces of other States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6696/05]

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (1 Mar 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 304: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for residency by a person (details supplied) in County Galway based on marriage to an Irish citizen. [6546/05]

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (24 Feb 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 32: 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 here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6154/05]

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (24 Feb 2005)

Michael D Higgins: Question 68: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has proposed, in view of the recent South East Asia disaster and for the more general reason of poverty reduction, such new initiatives on trade as would bring a genuine development round in relation to trade into existence at the level of the World Trade Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter....