Results 6,041-6,060 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am just trying to figure out if that is the first step because it would seem to be quite an extreme first step following such a decision. Does this step occur after the chief appeals officer stage? I apologise but I am just trying to clarify the point.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Is it envisaged that this provision will apply to individuals or companies? The Minister indicated she wishes to challenge some of the issues concerning false or forced self-employment, whereby companies, following investigation, are determined to have been falsely registering persons as self-employed when they are in fact employees. Does this process relate to such companies? If a...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This only relates to criminal assets cases.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister's clarification that this relates only to the Criminal Assets Bureau specifically. My apologies as I had not seen the placing of it. This is useful.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: On the concern regarding maintenance payments, I accept that Senator Ruane's proposed amendment No. 25 falls short technically. I ask that we engage to find some way of moving forward before Report Stage. The current maintenance system is flawed. The need for a maintenance body and to have maintenance payments reflected in income assessment has been raised by Senator Ruane and me, as well...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Committee Stage (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am just indicating that it would be useful if we could find a way of moving forward and making it easier for people to make voluntary contributions and to pay into the State's coffers in order that they then can access supports and services at a later stage.

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It was not a dissenting voice; supplementary points were made.

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There has been progress as well as disappointments in terms of political reform which falls under the brief of the Minister of State. Prominent among the disappointments is the failure to hold the promised referendum on the right to vote at 16, particularly when we look to the 16 year olds who are leading the world today. It is extremely unfortunate that that referendum was not held last...

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes, a conservative estimate of 5.3 million people. Where did the estimate come from? Why is it considered conservative? At the end of his speech, the Minister of State acknowledged that it is very much in his control to determine and set the scale of this overseas vote. Regarding a person with an Irish passport resident outside the State who may be able to vote in this referendum, the...

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: That has been an obstruction for the past two years. This is legislation prepared for the Taoiseach.

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: He has stood in the way of universal suffrage. He has stood in the way of every person walking on the streets-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----who wants to have a chance to vote. The key principle that everyone would have an opportunity to vote in Seanad elections and be reflected in some way has been challenged.

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Apologies. The Minister of State will have his opportunity.

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: In his speech in the Dáil on this report, the Taoiseach said he questioned the idea of a voting system where councillors would cede some of their seats to the public.

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: He had concerns-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: He had concerns about the loss of voting power for councillors.

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will happily look up the reference.

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Let us be very clear.

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Apologies. Through the Chair, please. I will check that reference and ensure it is accurate. We will make sure the record is corrected. However, I will stand by the fact that An Taoiseach has not delivered on his programme for Government commitment to implement the Manning report. In his consistent delays in moving forward on this issue and in his refusal to put forward legislation, he...

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: With respect, I wish to make a point of order.