Results 6,921-6,940 of 8,212 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will speak to the amendments in order. Very strong arguments were made across the House on the previous occasion regarding the question of the age of digital consent. I have already indicated that I have moved back and forth on the issue. I have serious concerns about the younger age of consent in terms of the protections that might be afforded. One of my key concerns is about the right...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 16:In page 25, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following:"(7) If the Minister intends to set out regulations under this section which are not compliant with the advice of the Commission, he or she must lay a rationale for his or her proposed regulation before the Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality and any other relevant committee.". These amendments all...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes, I am withdrawing it. However, I would like to hear the Minister's response on that issue.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am happy also to put them to a vote. I was simply trying to expedite the process so that we did not gratuitously have to put them forward. As amendment No. 16 is not covered by a Sinn Féin amendment I will not withdraw it if that makes it easier for the Minister.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I propose to press it because what is provided for therein is not explicitly addressed elsewhere, but I will withdraw the other amendments. In response to the Minister's comments on the amendments, the key concern is that while the committees may request a data commissioner to give testimony, they may not be aware of situations where there has been a divergence of view in respect of a...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Fair enough.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: No. I move amendment No. 17:In page 25, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following: "(7) If the Minister intends to set out regulations under this section which are not compliant with the advice of the Commission, he or she must lay a rationale for his or her proposed regulation before the Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality and any other relevant committee and receive...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This is the same issue. I do not wish to impugn the commitment of any Minister or to put forward an expectation that any Minister would act. A very clear example of this is the very serious concerns expressed by the data commissioner in respect of the roll-out of the public services card. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes. I move amendment No. 21:In page 26, to delete lines 26 to 30 and substitute the following: "(a) the Minister, provided that—(i) the Minister has consulted with such other Minister of the Government as he or she considers appropriate and has also consulted with and sought the advice of the Commission, and (ii) the Minister has, if he or she intends to set out regulations which...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wish to speak to these amendments, which were put forward by Senator Ó Donnghaile, Senator Ruane and myself. Senator Ó Donnghaile regrets he cannot be here today and appreciates the Minister's engagement on them. The amendments are about the importance of a proportionality test. I acknowledge the engagement of the Minister and the Department in agreeing to reinsert that vital...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes. I spoke to amendment No. 21. I knew that these amendments would be taken together. I believe this is a good decision from the Minister that will stand to us, and I welcome it.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Report Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I indicated that I wished to speak to it. I simply want to note that this is an issue that has been raised again. I supported it on Committee Stage and it is about addressing the issues expressed by journalists and the very important Fourth Estate. I request that it would be re-examined by the Dáil when it goes to that House.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: EU Employment Legislation and JobPath: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the witnesses for their presentation. The need to examine carefully what we mean when we talk about flexibility and responsiveness has come across very strongly. A hard contract that has been tied in over the long term, with one or two versions of success, is not necessarily the most flexible thing. The point has been well made that it took from 2011 to 2015 for this to start to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: EU Employment Legislation and JobPath: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would like to ask Mr. O'Neill a follow-up question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: EU Employment Legislation and JobPath: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There has been a recommitment to the European social pillar in recognition of the neglect of social funding. Is there any sense of this new mandate from Europe being invoked?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: EU Employment Legislation and JobPath: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have a question on the same point. It is about the lock-in. When the delegates are managing multiple schemes within the local employment service, do they have flexibility which enables them to say there is a different scheme or project if a certain scheme or project is not working for a person? The person-centred approach is key. Are there people who come back after one year away from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: EU Employment Legislation and JobPath: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: For persons who participate in community employment and other schemes, there may be benefits to their children in terms of their participation. Schemes that may not provide for full employment may have inter-generational benefits.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: EU Employment Legislation and JobPath: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Hidden unemployment and under-employment, particularly in an era of precarious work, are issues where those skills will be needed.