Results 5,901-5,920 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This is an employment affair.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is; it is about security and transition in employment. The two parts were brought together with a view to having a more joined-up approach in how we look at issues of employment and vulnerable workers, for example, as well as social protection. I am glad the Minister is saying there are other jobs in other sectors but I would like to hear from the Minister that there will be sets of...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am talking about individuals.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am glad to hear that supports have improved since our previous discussion. It is positive to hear that. I am speaking specifically to how sectors will be treated in a just transition framework. There are companies on one end and individuals with a personal progression plan on the other. There are cohorts of workers in particular sectors, and these should be treated slightly differently...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: One issue was engagement with landlords through HAP and rent supplement. The other suggestion related to the fuel allowance. I also referred to turbary rights and just transition for workers. Those were four points in respect of which I saw just transition impacting on the Department, or the Department impacting on it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Many topics have been covered, but I would like to drill down into a couple of matters. The issue of planning has been touched on. I understand the concerns. As we seek to build credibility and public support for sustainable energy measures, it is important to conduct community and environmental impact assessments. We can help social and environmental impact assessments to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I accept the point about solar panels-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----but the reversal of order-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am conscious that the time available to me is limited. I might put some brief questions to Dr. McGowan and his colleagues because they will not have much time in which to respond. I will begin with a specific question. Is the regulator concerned about grid offers? Is there a point of expiration in a planning process that follows the grid offer? It is a technical question. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The goal of making up to 50% of non-batch connection offers available was mentioned. "Up to 50%" is a fluid notion. What is envisaged in that regard? I refer to Mr. Kenny and Mr. Fogarty. They have a great deal of equity in community projects. While members of a community wishing to exit is not as much of a concern in relation to community projects, we have seen in the United States that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I take strongly and endorse the point around an actual percentage delivery-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----rather than a revenue one which could be written off against the profits of a private company.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizen and Community Measures: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We did not get a chance to discuss the capital grants aspect of micro-generation. Do any of the witnesses have comments on that system and how it fits with bids? It would be useful to get those, even if it is in written form. What is the date for the launch of community energy?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environmental Schemes (1 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, in light of Ireland's climate change targets and the likely impact of increased fuel prices on tenants in particular, what his plans are to accelerate the retrofitting of social housing and raising energy ratings of private rental accommodation while protecting existing tenancies. We know Ireland has been a laggard with climate...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environmental Schemes (1 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Unfortunately, he did not answer my question about the amount of money that is planned to be invested. He has stated only that investment will be made "as resources allow." We are not standing still on this issue as every year we fail to retrofit, there is a cost to the public and individuals. That is the reason I question the split incentive. It is a straw man. The real issue is the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environmental Schemes (1 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: They may avoid a fine in so doing.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I echo the pleas Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell made about personal assistance services and home care supports. These are key proposals within the pre-budget submission of the Oireachtas disability group, of which I am proud to be a member. I also welcome the proposal to ensure that history is a fundamental part of every citizen's understanding and skills for the shaping of the future. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: As we are not having a full debate on the Sinn Féin proposal perhaps we should refrain from attempted summarising of it.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (1 Oct 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and join others in commending her, the Tánaiste and their team for their work in representing Ireland in the current negotiations. As others have noted, there has been some strong commonality of concern from all parties. There are also some shared clarities on core principles, which are vital to all of us and about which all of us have...