Results 5,321-5,340 of 8,212 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: An Bille Sláinte (Caomhnú agus Cosaint agus Bearta Éigeandála eile ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail), 2020: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: In the context of the emergency and with the promise that the Minister will engage with us on regulation, I will not press the amendment.

Seanad: Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020: Motion for Earlier Signature (20 Mar 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We have been waiting patiently.

Seanad: Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020: Motion for Earlier Signature (20 Mar 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Senator Devine was waiting very patiently.

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Motion (21 Jan 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I begin by thanking the Cathaoirleach for his fairness and great patience over many debates as I sought to use this incredible opportunity to serve in Seanad Éireann to the greatest extent possible. It has been an extraordinary opportunity and it is only passion that leads one to speak at length. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach, Martin, Bridget and all of the staff in the Seanad,...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Motion (21 Jan 2020)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Cathaoirleach. It is to be hoped I will have finished before he comes back. This Seanad has been remarkable in terms of what it has achieved. I look to all Members of the House when I say this. It has been a Seanad in which no group has had a majority. I often say it is a space in which, therefore, acts of persuasion have had to take place. We have each brought our ideas...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Safety (18 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There are concerns about the lack of adequate regulation for road haulage in Ireland and I have raised the fact that road haulage gets a special tax relief with the Minister for Finance and others. This relief is on the purchase of diesel at a time a carbon tax is being brought in and many others are being asked to pay more for fuel. The relief has been increased in next year's budget. In...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Safety (18 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The issue of tolls, while affecting local authorities, requires a national strategy. An example of a bad hostage to fortune that was given, for example, is the idea that the State now compensates for whenever there are not vehicles on roads as well as when there are. There is a concern. It was an example of poor policy. Similarly, in terms of poor policy, the idea of the diesel rebate...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I want to add my voice to the call from Senator Gavan for a debate on human rights and trade policy. These are going to be crucial issues in regard to the trade agreements we make on Brexit also, so a general consideration and discussion on how we incorporate and reflect human rights principles in our trade policy would be very welcome in the new year. I rise in the main to speak about the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Recommendations 8.13 and 8.14 of the report of the implementation group on Seanad reform call for a review and these issues to be addressed. I would like those recommendations to be effected, along with many other aspects of that report. It is another area we need to address in the new year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Supporting a Just Transition: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank Mr. Mulvey. Does he agree that the kind of change we are seeing with companies such as Bord na Móna, which is effectively planning to cease it main activity, is not a normal operational or day-to-day moment for the company but relates to strategic direction for that company?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Supporting a Just Transition: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There is a delicate nuance here about what is operational in the normal day-to-day and what is actually strategic and major. From our perspective, looking in as a committee, and from some of our earlier discussions, this is not a normal matter. There is a question of what are industrial relations in the normal sense and what is just transition. It is not simply whether Mr. Mulvey values...

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I propose that amendments Nos. 3 to 9, inclusive, be recommitted.

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I propose that amendments Nos. 3 to 9, inclusive, be recommitted.

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We have only 30 minutes remaining in this debate, which is subject to a guillotine. My proposal would afford us an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers in regard to the constructive proposals set out in amendments Nos. 3 to 9, inclusive. I previously indicated my intention to recommit these amendments and received an indication from the Minister that she would be open to that...

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will press the proposal. I am seeking an opportunity to address the issues set out in these amendments. As I said, the Minister indicated previously that she would be open to recommitting some of the amendments, which deal with issues including just transition, the situation of couples who are de facto partners but are not eligible for the widow's pension or widower's pension, literacy...

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: These issues are deserving of 28 minutes of debate in the House. It would be regrettable if colleagues reject my proposal.

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: That is not a point of order.

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Vótáil.

Seanad: Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes, but I am also proposing-----

Seanad: Microbeads (Prohibition) Bill 2019: Second Stage (17 Dec 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the Minister to the House and broadly welcome the legislation. It is important that we move forward on it. As was mentioned, it is important that when issues are identified by any party in the Oireachtas we need to be able to listen to each other, engage with each other and hear the ideas of others. In 2016 the former Senator, Grace O'Sullivan, put forward legislation. I was a...