Results 421-431 of 431 for speaker:Lorraine Higgins

Seanad: Wind Turbines Bill 2012: Second Stage (22 Feb 2012)

Lorraine Higgins: I believe there is a slot for me towards the end of the debate. Can the Acting Chairman check that out?

Seanad: Wind Turbines Bill 2012: Second Stage (22 Feb 2012)

Lorraine Higgins: I do not mind.

Seanad: Wind Turbines Bill 2012: Second Stage (22 Feb 2012)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the Minister to the House to hear our views on the proposed introduction of legislation for wind turbines. This is an issue which has concerned both my Labour colleagues and I to the extent that we felt strongly about rectifying the current situation. I commend them on showing unequivocal foresight and unanimity on progressing the matter. As we are all aware, the erection of wind...

Seanad: Priorities in Foreign Affairs: Statements (2 Feb 2012)

Lorraine Higgins: First and foremost, I welcome the Tánaiste to the House and commend him on all the work he has done in the spheres of foreign affairs and trade since he took over that portfolio. In particular, he has been to the forefront of restoring Ireland's international reputation. This has been proven by recent international commentary and I commend him most sincerely. I also commend him on his...

Seanad: Suicide Prevention: Statements (12 Jan 2012)

Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for the hard work she has done in the area of mental health. In particular I commend her on her commitment to addressing the issue of suicide, which has blighted communities throughout Ireland in recent years. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this emotive debate. My own community has been affected many times by the issue in recent years and it would...

Seanad: Public Policy and Planning: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for his great contribution at the outset of this debate. It was most enlightening and Members are delighted to have him here. I wish him the best of luck in his role as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and as Government Chief Whip and I look forward to seeing him in the Chamber again in the coming years. I also...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2011)

Lorraine Higgins: I call on the Minister for Health to come to the House to provide answers regarding a case that has arisen in Galway. Newborns are leaving hospitals in the city without proper immunisation and, in particular, the BCG vaccination. Babies born in hospitals elsewhere in the country are immunised prior to leaving hospital but in Galway they have to wait up to eight months for the vaccination....

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important legislation. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Howlin, to the House. I commend him and the departmental officials for expediting the drafting of this legislation and its subsequent introduction in the Oireachtas. We should not doubt that this Bill puts flesh on the bones of our pre-election commitment to reform. The Government is...

Seanad: Housing Market: Motion (22 Jun 2011)

Lorraine Higgins: I endorse the views of my party colleagues, who have all presented fair and reasonable arguments for addressing the current crisis affecting up to 200,000 homeowners. As we are all very aware in this House, people are under enormous pressure owing to their mortgages, unemployment and, in many cases, the Revenue Commissioners. However, people in financial difficulty with their homes usually...

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (Resumed) (22 Jun 2011)

Lorraine Higgins: I wish to share time with Senator Kelly.

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (Resumed) (22 Jun 2011)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, to the House. This is my maiden speech and before I make my statement on the jobs initiative may I state how honoured I am to have been selected as one of the Taoiseach's 11 nominees to the 24th Seanad? I am a native of Athenry, County Galway and have lived there all my life. I am delighted to be joined in Seanad Éireann by Senators Rónán...