Results 761-780 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Question 29: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his view on the appropriateness of the position of Dean of the Diplomatic Corps being filled, not on a rotational basis as prevails in most countries; the appropriateness of the prevailing arrangements; the details of the recent meetings with the representatives of the Holy See; the details of the meeting sought by the Papal Nuncio with...
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Let me begin, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, with the last reference of the Minister to "shock and dismay". It is rather hard to accept that, given that the information in the Murphy report was available to the Vatican, although it chose not to act upon it, respond to it or assist in any response by others to it. There were four elements to my question. I am aware that the papal nuncio's assuming...
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: No. It is on the periphery.
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Exactly.
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Given that the Minister describes the arrangements that prevail with regard to the diplomatic corps as ceremonial, is he open to the suggestion that it is time to change them? I wish to take further the point regarding the relationship between the head of a faith and a state. I raised this issue because of the extraordinary view of Cardinal Connell that there is secrecy involved in the...
- Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: That is not an option I admire at all. It is more of a Cork thing, really.
- Middle East Peace Process. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.
- Middle East Peace Process. (15 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: No Israeli journalists have been there for 12 months.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: The Minister should speak to the social welfare Bill.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: There is a 30% effective tax rate for high earners.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: I realise there are many sections about which people feel strongly and I hope we will be able to get to at least some of them.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: I have only said two or three sentences so far.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: My point relates directly to what the Minister has just said. I will be brief and I hope my point is understood. The whole thrust of our approach is that in the present circumstances, as many Deputies have mentioned, the Minister had an opportunity of recasting our approach towards social protection. I have said with regard the budget and other matters that we should attempt to establish a...
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: There was an alternative. The Government could have pursued this money through taxation or by reconfiguration with regard to forms of capital expenditure. However, the most important thing of all, which must be admitted even by people on the Government side and those who support the Government, is that there was an opportunity for an entirely new departure in social protection. Let the...
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: That is the requirement.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: I will be brief because we should get to as many amendments and sections as possible. At the time of the establishment of the Combat Poverty Agency I was a Member of the Oireachtas. I observed and was involved with the evolution of poverty proofing while working in the area of social policy. The purpose of the poverty proofing exercise that made its way into the Cabinet handbook was such...
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Yes.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: Deputy Stagg has been referred to by the Minister on three occasions in the past five minutes. Many of us had contributions to make.
- Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: The Minister should get on with uttering her old guff now.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2009)
Michael D Higgins: What is the present position regarding the Competition Authority (amendment) Bill which is one of the Bills that has been promised and in particular the amendment of section 4? Related to this in another sense in terms of ordering business, I ask for a timescale for the legislation promised in the social partnership agreement, for example, the trade union recognition Bill. I am asking about...