Results 6,101-6,120 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be brief. This is a sensible amendment and I support it. I note, however, that a number of the maternal deaths have been in other parts of Ireland and we might need to consider providing additional resources in those parts of the country as well. It behoves us to ensure that all inquests in respect of the national maternity hospital are fulfilled in Dublin. If a large number of...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have been indicating and waiting to make this important point. I want to speak briefly. I commend some representatives in the Gallery from the Elephant Collective and other groups as well family members who have been strong advocates of this Bill. I commend Deputy Clare Daly, in particular, on championing this Bill.

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am sorry, I am referring to the former Deputy, Clare Daly, MEP. I also commend the Minister on engaging with this proposal and allowing it to happen. It would be very positive if this Bill could pass before the summer recess. It is will bring about transparency, as well as an important sense of closure in the form of information for families. It will also contribute to our collective...

Seanad: EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would love to.

Seanad: EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am taking six minutes and Senator Norris must be satisfied with two minutes. I have previously spoken in the House on the CETA trade agreement and other trade agreements. It is important that we are really clear that when we speak about trade it is not a simple matter of those who are pro-trade and those who are anti-trade, those who are protectionist and those who are open. It is and...

Seanad: EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will conclude and pass to my colleague. This is going to be an ongoing issue. This is the outgoing European Commission. Let us hope that the new Commission will adopt a more progressive strategy and engage more actively with national governments and parliaments to ensure that trade serves citizens and not just corporations.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2019: Second Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for bringing this Bill for discussion before the summer. I hope that we will have a chance to engage further in respect of amendments in the autumn. I see that it is planned to ensure there is space and time to allow Senators to supplement or contribute to the Bill. Issues have been raised in respect of short-term illness benefit. There are some other practical issues...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Senator Ruane asked me to speak to the amendment.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wish to record my intention to introduce a similar amendment regarding Irish Sign Language on Report Stage which is to seek that we are consistent with the other legislation passed by this House.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have just done that and it is consistent with what this House has done in terms of Irish Sign Language in the past. I will put forward an amendment on Report Stage.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I may have to leave early because I am due to host a group. May I put my questions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: With apologies to the Chair, I will have to leave early, unusually for me. I hope to put my questions now, if that is possible.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I do not normally ask for latitude, but I am due to host a group from Sudan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I requested that I have the opportunity to ask my questions before the witnesses respond

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Bogus Self Employment: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am very interested in their responses. I will be brief. As was stated, the importance of definitions of what constitutes an employee and a self-employed person has become clear. I wish to commend Senator Nash, who made a very good attempt to set those definitions. I ask the witnesses to comment on what seems to be the inadequacy of the case-by-case approach. Although it is...

Seanad: Adoption, Information and Tracing: Statements (19 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I concur as this is an opportunity to make better law. It is also an opportunity to genuinely engage on and shape the Ireland in which we want to live by addressing the many injustices that occurred in the past. I again acknowledge in the Minister's statements the principles to which she spoke. We are living in an Ireland that has acknowledged a child's rights by popular mandate. It is an...

Seanad: Adoption, Information and Tracing: Statements (19 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I apologise for interrupting, but the public good is a legitimate ground as set out in the law. I want to make that point in case it is useful.

Seanad: Community Participation (Disability) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (19 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am happy our group is collectively supporting Senator Dolan and putting this Bill forward. I commend Senator Dolan. There is much about this Bill that reflects his specific approach, and also reflects the original thematic focus and vision of the Seanad. The idea was that a frame would be applied to legislation from all Departments and...

Seanad: Community Participation (Disability) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (19 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: If it is 13 for every 100 persons, consider what it must it be for 2,000 persons. In any large place of public assembly, we should see that reflected. I will move on to another key point: playgrounds. The Democratic Programme of the First Dáil has been mentioned very eloquently. Within that is the first duty of the State to children. Surely it is the case that children must be able...

Seanad: Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (12 Jun 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will speak to the section but I first want to acknowledge that there have been attempts to move forward on certain aspects of this Bill. The removal of the undertaking is important and should be acknowledged. I know that this was difficult to achieve and that the concession was hard won. There are also attempts to make the process more functional but there are principles and points of...