Results 7,841-7,860 of 7,975 for speaker:Joe Higgins

Proposed Legislation. (23 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: I am relieved the Attorney General is not attempting to lead an MBO. There is a significant backlog of legislation in the Government's promised list and the usual response from the Taoiseach to queries about when this legislation will be brought forward is that there is yet no date. Does the Taoiseach agree that this points to a significant shortage of staff at the drafting stage? Admittedly,...

National Security. (23 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach when the high-level group established by his Department in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks last met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24150/04]

Departmental Appointments. (16 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach the responsibilities of the special political advisers appointed by him; the total cost of these appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24147/04]

Regulatory Reform. (16 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Question 14: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the progress to date in implementing the recommendations of the OECD report on regulatory reform. [24148/04]

Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Ba mhaith liom mo chuid ama a roinnt leis an Teachta Boyle. There is one section of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004 with which I can agree, namely, the removal of the provision enabling citizenship to be conferred on individuals because they have bags of money, allegedly to invest in useful ventures in this country — so-called investment-based naturalisation. It invited...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: The National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street has declared that next year it will put a monthly limit on the number of births allowed to take place in the hospital. Today's edition of The Irish Times refers to a comment by Dr. Peter Boylan, a consultant obstetrician in the hospital, speaking on the "Morning Ireland" programme, that the Department of Health and Children has been aware of...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: I presume he meant they should approach Deputies from the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats parties since they are in power. It occurred to me that the Ceann Comhairle might advise the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to assign each Government Deputy a qualified midwife, rather than a researcher. At least they might make a positive contribution to an aspect of the health crisis. It...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: What is going on? What will the Taoiseach say to reassure people who will be in this difficult and nervous situation next year? If that happens in Holles Street, will resources be available elsewhere? What is the plan?

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Will the Taoiseach answer the point I made with regard to the assertions of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform about the pressure that was allegedly put on the maternity hospitals as a result of the law at that time? Has anything altered fundamentally? If the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was correct, there should be less pressure. The Taoiseach should explain...

Northern Ireland Issues. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Is it not clear that whatever about Sinn Féin, the DUP will not finalise agreement before the general election due to be held in Britain and Northern Ireland next year because it seeks to maximise its vote in that sectarian part of the divide and trump its rivals? Does the Taoiseach accept that, unfortunately, after ten years of a so-called peace process, polarisation in the communities,...

Northern Ireland Issues. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Has Mr. Blair apologised to the Taoiseach for misleading him and causing him to mislead the people when he faithfully repeated the claims that were made? Should he not now explain that situation, particularly when it has emerged in Lancet magazine that 100,000 innocent Iraqis may have died as a result of violence? Is it not time to stop the ongoing logistical support for the US occupation?

Legislative Programme. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach his Department's legislative programme for the current Dáil session; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22393/04]

Northern Ireland Issues. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Question 18: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the matters discussed and conclusions reached at his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister in Leeds Castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22380/04]

Northern Ireland Issues. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Question 19: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent contacts with the parties in Northern Ireland. [22383/04]

Northern Ireland Issues. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Question 20: To ask the Taoiseach when he next expects to meet the President of the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22386/04]

Northern Ireland Issues. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Question 21: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent contacts with the US Administration. [22387/04]

Northern Ireland Issues. (2 Nov 2004)

Joe Higgins: Question 22: To ask the Taoiseach when he next expects to meet the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22388/04]

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Order: Motion. (19 Oct 2004)

Joe Higgins: I do not support the motion in its present form because the Government has not put a proper and detailed case for committing this level of taxpayers' money in justifiable way. We need transparency with regard to the horse racing and the greyhound industries. I do not have time to discuss this in great detail but when a delegation from Bord na gCon came before the Committee of Public Accounts...

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Order: Motion. (19 Oct 2004)

Joe Higgins: Why not?

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Order: Motion. (19 Oct 2004)

Joe Higgins: It could be funded by stallion fees if the Minister taxed them.