Results 7,421-7,440 of 8,482 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Housing: Statements (Resumed) (20 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Civil Engagement has tried to track some of the issues which have been neglected in housing. We used our first Private Members’ business to successfully pass a motion on disability and housing. Will the Minister of State update us on what is happening around the issues of disability and housing access, and proper planning in our housing infrastructure for disability? There was a...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (Resumed) (20 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----on which I wish to put a direct question to the Minister of State. The concerns about the scheme have been aired at length, but I have a major concern about leases which are being included in the social housing solutions. However, they are not a long-term solution. There was a concern in 2008 when houses that could have been bought for €120,000 or €200,000 were instead...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There is serious concern about amendment No. 1. I appreciate that the Minister is suggesting that it is important that a data processor would be appointed in companies that are contracted by the HSE and I understand that is what he is trying to get at. However, the amendment does not do that in the most appropriate way and it opens up other potentially unforeseen dangerous provisions. For...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: To follow up on one point regarding amendment No. 37, when the Minister spoke about ensuring we do not have any ambiguity, the key concern is the specific technical processing. The Minister might be able to assure us that it will be the widest definition of specific technical processing and that we will not have a situation, for example, where the Government would decide that one particular...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is in section 54(3) of the legislation. It is not a matter of assurance. The text of section 54(3)(a)(ii) specifically provides that restrictions on data protection rights can apply "for the administration of any tax, duty or other money due or owing to the State, a local authority or other public authority or body".

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am asking the Minister about his intention regarding section 54. Rather than making a contracted company a public authority, why it is not proposed to include a separate section that makes specific and clear provision for contracted services? Why was it decided to go this way?

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Second Stage (8 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will probably not need eight minutes and I apologise in advance for having to leave immediately after I finish, but I am sure I will see the Minister again on Committee Stage. Despite the extensive focus on and debate around the GDPR, I regret this Bill is being rushed. Second Stage is being taken this week and despite the requests of a number of leaders of groups in the House, Committee...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Public Services Card: Discussion (8 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have many questions, but I will try to ask a couple of them and come back with more if I have an opportunity. What stands out for me from the Bara judgement is the specific point that the data subjects were not being informed of the transfer or processing. There is a question of full information and consent, which seems to be very crucial, and the extent and clarity of the information...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Public Services Card: Discussion (8 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I went through this process when I tabled amendments on section 263 of the Social Welfare Bill before Christmas. I specifically proposed amendments on how photographic information could be used and to preclude it from being checked against databases of biometric information, pending a clear direction on the practice. The amendment was not accepted but on looking closer at the legislation,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Public Services Card: Discussion (8 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I was struck by what Mr. Herrick said about travel in Scotland. The current legislation refers to identification solely in respect of a transaction but when there is such a wide range of points of information identifying a person, it may lead to other forms of information, and a set of information which can be built up around a person. There may be concerns in respect of that issue. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Public Services Card: Discussion (8 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Would the question of proportionality apply in that case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Public Services Card: Discussion (8 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: As the witness said, the State has internal checks and balances. There is the Comptroller and Auditor General and, of course, the data controller which is a key internal check and balance. I asked about the investigation under way from the perspective of the ICCL. How significant is that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Public Services Card: Discussion (8 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Is the Mr. Herrick suggesting that, while this investigation is under way, there would be additional potential legal liability if one were to require people to push it forward at this time? Does he believe people should suspend the requirement that had been put in place during that period?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Public Services Card: Discussion (8 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We cannot anticipate what that inquiry will do but in terms of our-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Public Services Card: Discussion (8 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: In terms of our inquiry, what does the witness believe should be the actions of the State at present for the persons who are currently at a potential loss of grants, pensions and so forth rather than each of them going individually to Mr. McGarr or other legal representation? Deputy Joan Collins and other Deputies hear of local constituency cases. People are coming to them with concerns and...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Which amendments are we discussing?

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I support this amendment.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It reflects the reality. It is also a useful way of addressing concerns that the Minister has raised in the past about ensuring that if there are numerous students' unions, then they would be recognised. I believe it is an effective way to do that and I support it.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: No. Are you proposing speaking to-----

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: No, excuse me, I asked which amendments were being discussed.