Results 7,241-7,260 of 8,212 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (Committee D) Report on Childhood Obesity: Statements (25 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There is a potentially significant overlap here in the context of the green schools initiative. The green schools programme includes sustainable transport officers who have been working with children, highlighting issues and making a big difference. I was speaking recently to Róisín Ní Ghairbhith, one such sustainable transport officer who told me that 500 children cycled...

Seanad: British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (Committee D) Report on Childhood Obesity: Statements (25 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Cycling is key. We really need to re-evaluate formal physical education, PE, so that we are not simply focusing on competitive sports. I am one of the many people who sat out PE classes because I was not on a team in a competitive sport. Acrobatics, dance, cycling and so on are physical activities that allow children to celebrate physical movement and it is important to provide a diversity...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There are many questions and issues on this topic but many of them have been covered by Deputy Brady, which is excellent. I thank all the witnesses for their presentations. They were very strong and there is even more in their written submissions, which I am sure will be incorporated when we come to put together our report. There is a huge body of evidence behind all of the points the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Would it be possible to make available information about that high support model the university piloted because it might be useful to the committee?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wish to make a quick point. The conference in 2016 Ms O'Donnell mentioned seems particularly relevant. Perhaps she might forward links to it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am conscious that this is a point we did not get to touch on much but I will follow up on the question of those who may be outside the system. They are not in any part of the system because of the means test. They kind of disappear from the system. Any follow-up thoughts from the speakers would be great.

Seanad: Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the Minister and congratulate her on her new brief. It is an exciting one. Through culture, we touch every pulse point of society. It is one of the ways through which we can most strongly and immediately feel the concerns, ideas and thoughts of the nation. Culture is a powerful and important thing. While I am proud of Galway being chosen as the European capital of culture for...

Seanad: Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will conclude now. The power of spectacle is something all of us have seen in moments like those created by Els Comediants or Macnas. I know we are excited about extraordinary spectacles such as the Gilgamesh proposal which is on the cards for 2020. As well as splash and spectacle, however, we also need lasting supports and a sea change in terms of the resources that are available. We...

Seanad: Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: One of the projects proposed is Hope It Rains. People in Galway have made great use of the city's outdoor spaces. It is a matter of serious concern if we are to clamp down on street performers and buskers, on which I have made a lengthy submission which I am happy to share with the Minister. That is crucial but we also need some indoor spaces. Let us protect the streets but also build new...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Protection of Employee Tips) Bill 2017: Second Stage (24 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome this Bill and congratulate Senator Gavan for his work on it. I also congratulate Senator Ó Clochartaigh who did important work around the research into the realities of the experience of workers in the Galway area. I know he has also highlighted other workers’ rights concerns in that area. I welcome the representatives of SIPTU and others to the Gallery. I will be...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Protection of Employee Tips) Bill 2017: Second Stage (24 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Senator Buttimer might want to look back on my speech. He will find what I discussed.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Like many other people, I was shocked on Saturday to discover that the US Vice President, Mike Pence, had taken part in a military photo opportunity with American troops at Shannon Airport. This incident raises a number of concerns. Ongoing concerns about the use of Shannon Airport for military transfer, which have been well aired in this and the Lower House, have not yet been addressed....

Seanad: Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (17 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the Minister. I welcome and support the report and commend the committee on its work. I particularly join in commending its chair, Senator Noone, on her calm, reasoned and fair approach throughout and I express the pride of the Civil Engagement group in our own representative, Senator Ruane, who made an always insightful and strong contribution to the work of the committee. The...

Seanad: Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (17 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am sorry, I thought that was the one minute notice.

Seanad: Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (17 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I shall conclude. We must ensure all women have that care-----

Seanad: Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (17 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----including women who have a disability. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is clear that it is very important for all women, including those with a disability, to have the right to determine the number and spacing of their children. I sincerely encourage colleagues who have expressed their personal desire to reduce the levels of abortion, and those who spoke of...

Seanad: Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (17 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Hard decisions are already being made every day in Ireland. I do not believe they need to be made in secrecy.I urge that we move forward in a positive way, having a more open public debate, while bringing back privacy with respect to personal decisions. Trust is the key word we have heard; we need to trust women and the State needs to earn the trust of women.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 1:In page 11, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following:“Amendment of Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 16. Section 242 of the Principal Act is amended—(a) in subsection (4)—(i) by the substitution of following paragraph for paragraph (a):“(a) his or her public services card,”, and(ii) by the substitution of following...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I hate to interrupt-----

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2017: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will speak later.