Results 7,481-7,500 of 8,482 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 19:In page 19, to delete lines 33 and 34 and substitute the following: “(iii) at least 2 but not more than 4 students of the technological university, nominated by the student union in accordance with its own procedures,”. I will speak to amendments Nos. 19, 20, 32 and 38 which relate to the representation of students on the academic councils. In section...

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: We need to know if this is, in fact, a debate on legislation. There are two Houses dealing with legislation in the Oireachtas and they each have a role and make a contribution. I would like to see amendment No. 19 accepted. One could ask why a limit of four should be put on this but others could say each academic council should have a minimum of two and be able to determine its own number....

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: The key point is that students make up only three of more than 20 members of the governing body. As such, the student representatives would not be able to guarantee student representation on the academic council. The Bill specifies that the council must have a majority of academic staff.Clearly, we specify that there needs to be a majority of academic staff, so we make specifications on...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Although I understand the reasons, I am disappointed to note that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, will not be joining us. I hope the Leader will ensure that we have a debate with the Minister in the near future, as it has been promised for many months. I welcome the comments on the Control of Economic Activities (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 that we put...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will come to my conclusion, but this is an important point. When Members of all sides raised legitimate concerns about regional development-----

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----they were told not to talk down rural Ireland. We heard a previous Taoiseach telling us not to talk down the economy. Let us be open to dialogue.

Seanad: Foreign Affairs: Statements (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Although I am very happy to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, to the House, I note we have been promised a debate, and we will need to have one, with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, on some of these issues in the future because I understand many of them fall within his remit. Nonetheless, I look forward to the engagement with Minster of State, Deputy Cannon. I was happy he spoke...

Seanad: Foreign Affairs: Statements (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I understand that while the European branch of that entity may be in difficulty, it is important that we recognise the role of that entity within the Oireachtas and make sure it is continued to ensure people have a space for more parties to engage in issues that affect Ireland, Europe and Africa. In respect of Irish Aid, we have had a long-standing commitment to the 0.7% of gross national...

Seanad: Foreign Affairs: Statements (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: With respect to Brexit, I will not speak in detail on it as I imagine we will have a chance to debate it further, but I want to highlight two issues. First, it is welcome that the Tánaiste met the joint committee on human rights. The principle of human rights equivalence is a vital, if somewhat neglected, pillar of the Good Friday Agreement. That question of human rights equivalence...

Seanad: Foreign Affairs: Statements (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The issue on which I wanted to focus is PESCO. I will need to speak to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, because this deeply affects his work on disarmament. I have to correct the record in the context of the Minister of State's speech. He said PESCO is provided for in the Treaty on European Union which was approved by Irish people. Let us be very clear, the opportunity to opt in or out of...

Seanad: Foreign Affairs: Statements (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Okay, I will adjourn but only on the-----

Seanad: Foreign Affairs: Statements (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I had to redirect my speech because we did not have the debate that we had been promised and I did try to address the Minister of State's brief, out of respect to him.

Seanad: Foreign Affairs: Statements (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: However, I note that we will be returning to PESCO and we will need clear assurances as to how the Minister addresses the use of those weapons and military equipment which Ireland jointly purchases. It is a very clear question. There is no mechanism to deal with it.

Seanad: Foreign Affairs: Statements (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Will the implementation on PESCO-----

Seanad: Foreign Affairs: Statements (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is a concrete question. Will the implementation plan on PESCO be published-----

Seanad: Foreign Affairs: Statements (6 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----and will it be brought to these Houses and voted upon? That is my final question.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I echo what Senator Swanick said about the Michael Davitt Museum. It was a very well made point. It is an extremely important resource. It is a national resource in terms of the contribution that was made to our history. The assistant of my colleague, Senator Grace O'Sullivan, is a descendant of Michael Davitt and he would certainly echo that point. Senator O'Sullivan also sits on the...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (31 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We have had enough slander of the homeless without attributing that those who are on the street are all part of an organised campaign. Let us be clear about that.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (31 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: If I do not come in now can I speak the next time?

Seanad: Housing: Statements (31 Jan 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will let Senator Dolan speak.