Results 6,261-6,280 of 8,468 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I accept the Minister of State's clarification but I would prefer if it was stated in the legislation that it is required rather than that it will be done, if required. I will not press the amendment but I will come back to some of the related issues at a later stage.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Tax: Discussion (25 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I apologise for not being here earlier. The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016, which relates to peat extraction, a very relevant issue, was being debated. I have read all the witnesses' statements with interest. We need to talk about the cost of carbon rather than consider a carbon tax. Carbon has immense costs as manifest in all the impacts of climate change on many of the most vulnerable...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Tax: Discussion (25 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would like a timeline for the investigation of that issue which is of deep concern particularly given the new licences being granted.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Tax: Discussion (25 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Dr. Lynch is saying there should be a blanket increase in social welfare rates and a blanket tax credit.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Tax: Discussion (25 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It would be an individualised bonus rather than being in any way a collective challenge.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Tax: Discussion (25 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes but I am still concerned that the benefit that accrues is with regard to the usage of carbon and fuel. Coming to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul again, those in private rental accommodation and local authority housing that is not retrofitted do not have the same level of choice with regard to the level of carbon they consume. The compensation will go to everybody but they will not be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Tax: Discussion (25 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Is this expected to double or treble next year under the upcoming budget?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Tax: Discussion (25 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: With regard to the need for other revenue, what is the timeline for delivering the tax on the profits of fuel and related industries? It was a priority recommendation of the committee. It is part of the cost and price issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Tax: Discussion (25 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Does Mr. Kenny see the relationship with it? It applies to the same argument and question. If profit is taken in one area but the cost and externalities are being borne in another the case is very strong for an increased levy in these areas. Do the witnesses agree?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Tax: Discussion (25 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There is a trading scheme for their production but my question is on specific levies for specific industries. For example, the question of aviation fuel tax has been raised continually. There is a question about the contribution that needs to be made to the change. It would be unrealistic as well as unfair if we expect that the consumer and every citizen of Ireland in their payments and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Tax: Discussion (25 Sep 2019)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There are also questions with regard to the licences being issued for oil and fuel exploration.

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 2:In page 9, to delete lines 19 to 43, and in page 10, to delete lines 1 to 26. It is regrettable that the amendment put forward by my colleagues on class K payments was ruled out of order because it is an important issue. Even though that is the case, perhaps there may be a chance to discuss it when discussing the section. Amendments Nos. 2 to 7, inclusive, propose...

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: On the question of personal progression plans, my amendment does not seek to remove them. When I debated this issue with the Minister in the past I proposed that she set guidelines on personal progression plans. That would have been a useful step in moving towards the wished-for situation described by Senator O'Reilly. However, my amendment specifically states that the fact of a person...

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I note that the Minister is interested in mirroring language. My next set of amendments speaks to the differences between this legislation and current schemes. There are parts where the legislation does not mirror the current language. Is the phrase "submit to" used in the current legislation, or is it "attend for"? I would like to tease out that specific issue. If it is the case that...

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: That is fine.

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have a very specific question to conclude. Is it the case that if somebody attends a meeting to review the options available to him or her and, at the end of that meeting, does not sign a personal progression plan, that person will nonetheless be regarded as having attended that meeting? Is that the Minister's understanding?

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for that clarification.

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister has answered my question in that agreeing to one is not necessarily the requirement of having attended a meeting. That is the key point I wanted to communicate. I thank the Minister for giving me that assurance.

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: It may be a long process to reach agreement. It may take several meetings.

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I suggest that the need to eat, to live, to clothe one’s children and to heat one’s house make people apply for jobseeker’s benefit in many cases.