Results 6,081-6,100 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the delegates for their presentations. A couple of themes have been touched on into which I would like to dive a little more. It is good to hear that the scale is increasing, but we want it to increase even further. The question of aggregated solutions is important. In that context, I was particularly interested in the better energy communities scheme within the SEAI. The scheme...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes. I will then ask my main question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Where does it intersect with local authority stock and its retrofitting? Many of us assume all local authority stock should be retrofitted as deeply as possible. That is another area identified for aggregation and large-scale action. I read in one of the figures that 9% of housing stock is local authorities.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: A total of 372,000 are in receipt of fuel allowance. I do not know what proportion of that figure live in local authority housing. How many are in private rented accommodation? Will Mr. Gannon comment on this?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I almost like what Mr. Gannon is saying but I am cautious about turning incentivisation on and off when it comes to social housing. I am in favour of predictability and work being sustainable. I presume new housing stock will be coming on board but I imagine that existing housing stock needs to be front-loaded as much as possible.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The debate we had on cost optimal reminded me of similar debates I have had around price quality ratio, most economically advantageous tender, and so on. There is a big push around procurement. In procurement, one option is the most economically advantageous tender, which is effectively just about cost, and there is price quality ratio. In the context of procurement, and while I am aware...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Levies will also be examined down the line.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I know, but similar tensions arise. I was using it more as a parallel when balancing price and quality. My last point was around landlords and the tension there which was mentioned. Many of those living in the lowest income households live in private rented accommodation. This relates to the security of Part 4 tenancies. It is a question of how we can encourage retrofitting, for example,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Housing and Retrofitting: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The split incentive problem might not be the best frame for this. It may be a public benefit of a different kind, namely, housing security and climate action. If we put it like that, it is a different frame and conversation.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will just briefly touch on the issue of pay and conditions because other Members have spoken very eloquently about them. It is clear from the response of PDFORRA and it is clear from the testimony and messages people have been getting, that the Government intervention will not be adequate in the context of allowances. The core issue remains about time, about wages and about having the...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: While we work with other countries, we previously worked through the UN.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I also asked about the European defence fund and autonomous weapons.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am afraid-----

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is a point of order. The Minister of State has said that he addressed the issues. I directly asked about the European defence fund and autonomous weaponry, which is an issue that is related to the Department. Like others, I have stayed here a long time and some people got very lengthy replies. I asked a specific question but did not get an answer.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I note that my question was not answered.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Travellers Towards a More Equitable Ireland Post-Recognition: Discussion (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank all the speakers. I will try to be brief. Some of the points-----

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Travellers Towards a More Equitable Ireland Post-Recognition: Discussion (9 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: They are questions. The use of prejudicial language in the media, hate speech and the framing and allowing of debates was outlined well. I was very struck by the fact that a conference would not be covered whereas an individual incident would be. Travellers find the media framing the agenda around them, which may put them in a responsive or defensive position. How does that affect...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I echo one of the points that was made about dementia.This time last year we had extensive debate on the issue of care and the importance of measures to support care in all its forms. It would be good to have another such debate in advance of budget 2020 in light of the complex issues arising from cuts to respite care, step-down care, and home care packages. These issues affect those with...

Seanad: Redress for Women Resident in Certain Residential Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister will notice the amendments I tabled on Committee Stage, and which Senator Ruane proposed on my behalf, were not resubmitted on Report Stage. That was also with regard to respecting the particular purpose of this Bill. However, I hope there may be opportunities to engage on those issues that are of great importance such as forensic accountancy and the related economic issues....

Seanad: Redress for Women Resident in Certain Residential Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am simply speaking to the end of the Bill. I am noting that I did not resubmit my amendments from Committee Stage to Report Stage. I hope to have an opportunity to engage with them in the interim.