Results 521-540 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I rise today to object to the Order of Business and to signal my opposition to the proposal in the motion providing for a guillotining of the Planning and Development Bill 2023. The Civil Engagement Group will also be proposing an amendment to this motion to remove the guillotine and, instead, provide that the Bill be adjourned on Wednesday. It is important to say that when we look at the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: In my remaining time, I wish to say that I will be haunted this summer by the children who are being starved, denied water and under bombardment in Gaza.These are all conscious choices. It is unacceptable that, during the same summer, Ireland and Europe will continue a business as usual approach to Israel with the flow of dual-use materials - materials that can be used for military purposes...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: When we say we should do everything we can, let us be clear that, going into the summer, Ireland is not doing everything we can. We cannot object to human rights abuses and call for a ceasefire and then take absolutely no action, continue with business as usual and make the unacceptable choice of allowing the flow of technologies used to kill, target and destroy lives. I urge the Government...

Seanad: Sitting Arrangements: Motion (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 1: In the Schedule to paragraph (2), proposing the arrangements for the Committee Stage of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, to delete “be brought to a conclusion at 1 p.m. by one Question, which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government.” and substitute...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Senator McDowell referred to remarks made by way of preliminary comment. We have to have preliminary comment on the scale and size of what we are being asked to review and the absolutely inadequate time allotted to so do. We have heard the serious concern from right across the Opposition in the discussions relating to the Office of the Planning Regulator and this is part of a genuine...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is really important in terms of commenting on Senator Martin's intervention. We have to be clear when we ask whether we have learned nothing. That is exactly the question we are asking when looking at this legislation. There is a suggestion that the issue is the local authorities and that the problems we have had are with local authorities. To be clear, An Bord Pleanála was put in...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will speak to a couple of points. I note with regard to the Office of the Planning Regulator that there already was a review by the Department relating to the lobbying register and at that point it chose not to include the Office of the Planning Regulator. I am glad to hear there is another review, and we might get a very clear timeline for that. To be clear, this is not a simple...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I note it is different from saying we are completely compliant.We now know the Attorney General is looking at the matter in respect of the finding of non-compliance and the report on the continued non-compliance under this legislation. It is important to note that is quite different from saying the Bill is compliant. I am a little concerned...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is actually on that section. I note that within that section, it speaks around the Minister's dates and orders for the commencement of different sections of the Bill and for the repeal of different provisions of the Act of 2000. As will become apparent when we are discussing later sections, there are areas where I believe lacunas are going to be created, whereby certain provisions could...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 2: In page 27, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “Legal acts of European Union and International Conventions given effect to by this Act 2. Effect or further effect, as the case may be, is given by this Act to— (a) an act specified in Part 1 of the Table to this section, adopted by an institution of the European Union or, where...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 4: In page 38, line 27, to delete “, subject to subsection (8) of section 155”.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Much as Senator Moynihan had tried to address the issues in respect of section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, which is crucial. I will bring some amendments on Report Stage addressing the issues of climate, as well as the phrase, "sustainable development" that is getting used quite a lot in the debate already in order that we are clear where that sits in...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 10: In page 42, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: “Report on Aarhus Convention 3. The Minister shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining the specific manner in which this Act, and any regulations or orders made thereunder, comply with the Aarhus Convention.”.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 11: In page 42, line 20, to delete “or expedient”.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 12: In page 42, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: “(4) (a) The relevant Minister shall— (i) establish a list of prescribed bodies for the purposes of consultation on regulations and other matters under this Act under their jurisdiction, and (ii) before making regulations under this Act, consult with the existing set of prescribed...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 13: In page 42, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: “(4) The Minister shall facilitate effective public participation at an appropriate stage, and while options are still open, during the preparation of regulations which may have a significant effect on the environment, and shall take the following steps: (a) set time-frames sufficient for...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 14: In page 42, to delete lines 31 to 37 and substitute the following: “(5) Notwithstanding anything elsewhere provided in this Act, including under subsection (1) of section 285, where regulations or an order are proposed to be made by a Minister under— (a) Part 3 Plans, Policies and related Matters, (b) Part 4 Development Consents, (c) Part 6...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 15: In page 42, to delete lines 38 to 40, and in page 43, to delete lines 1 to 6.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This is important. I will signal that what things are used for can matter. One area where that has been important relates to cultural activity, where there is a change of use from cultural activity, which may be a commercial cultural activity. When things are given planning permission, it is often because it involves a look to how they will contribute to the area and space. In San...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (15 Jul 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am happy for the Minister of State to come back in to reply to this issue and I can then come back to the others.