Results 7,601-7,620 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: In effect, there are two halves at work in section 8. In the first there is the extension of burning into the month of August. I realise we will not get a chance to vote on the amendments I tabled on the issue. They were quite nuanced and also considered invasive species. I trust our colleagues in the Dáil will address the very serious concerns about gorse burning and the damage...
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes, I am speaking to amendment No. 53 which represents a moment of progress and a recognition of concern, but I point out that amendment No. 63, should it be moved, will represent a roll-back on all of the progress made. I did not agree fully with our colleagues across the House in Fianna Fáil in respect of gorse burning and although we completely disagree on certain sections of the...
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 57:In page 12, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:“(3) All hedges cut and uplands burned under this section of this Act shall be included in a register with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment which is made publicly available.”.
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: Amendment No. 57 states that all hedges cut and uplands burned under section 8 of the Act must be included in a register to be located with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment and to be made publicly available. Amendment No. 58 also suggests that hedgerows cut under the pilot scheme as proposed in section 8 of this Act and under any section 70 order should be...
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: Amendment No. 58 would not place a requirement on the Department; it would place a requirement on those issuing section 70 orders at local authority level. Given the extraordinary reluctance to monitor the provisions and that the question of road safety has been moved aside, is the pilot project also to be cut? Monitoring is regarded to be onerous, yet in earlier debates we were told pilot...
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 58:In page 12, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:“(3) Hedgerows cut under the pilot scheme in Section 8 of this Act and hedgerows cut under a Section 70 order must be included in a register that is publicly available.”.
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I am also happy to accept amendment No. 59. It is an improvement. I note, however, that the legislation still gives us the capacity for indefinite and ongoing renewal. I welcome no. 59 -----
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I am welcoming it but I hope that in the Dáil we will see an actual sunset clause inserted. What we have now is a constraint on the period of renewal but the legislation still allows for indefinite renewal on an ongoing basis. I acknowledge that it is a step forward and improvement on the Minister's part, but I would like to see a sunset clause.
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 60:In page 12, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “(c) The regulations set out by the Minister under Section 8 of this Act will be laid before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for consideration.”. This is to clarify a number of points that have been raised. We have been told that...
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: That would be our preference.
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: That would be my preference but that would be my next stage amendment, I agree.
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 61:In page 12, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “(c) Any subsequent changes to the regulations under Section 8 of this Act will be put before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for consideration.”.
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 62:In page 12, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “(5) The Minister shall have regard to the objectives and actions in the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015 to 2020 in making regulations under Section 8 of this Act.”.
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I think Senator Kevin Humphreys had indicated before me that he wished to speak.
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: As the proposer of the amendment, I am hopeful it will be accepted and receive support across the House. We have all heard from the beekeepers of Ireland in their advocacy. It is clear that the protection of bees and beekeeping is not in any way a whimsical issue. Beekeeping is a key activity in rural Ireland and our pollinator plan is an excellent document. It the was the subject of...
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: At one point the Minister appeared to be responding to a previous Committee Stage amendment in respect of EU regulations. There is no amendment here regarding EU regulations. My concern with regard to the pollinator plan is the fact that it is not statutory and is not an EU directive or obligation. In fact, it was made clear to me during my meeting with the Department's officials that it...
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I know. I am asking the Minister to consider supporting the amendment, which would include the plan. It is at the heart of this issue. The Minister talks about striking a balance. I ask her to ensure that we are not striking a blow in respect of the pollinators of Ireland, our bees and birds and the reproduction of natural life. Without going into detail, and all of us could dwell on...
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: Others are indicating.
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I also think-----
- Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)
Alice-Mary Higgins: I apologise. We both indicated on the same microphone.