Results 8,101-8,120 of 8,220 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I intend to speak more substantially to the amendments I will second. First, I will build on what Senator Mulherin has said. We have a real opportunity to take action. There is urgency about the matter and we have an opportunity to take action today. I hope we do what it is in our power to do as Members, that is to say, move forward and ensure the Bill passes Committee Stage before we...

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be brief. I welcome the Minister and commend this important and vital Bill. I hope we make significant progress on this legislation so that it comes through in its full form without dilution. In fact, it needs to be strengthened. To that end, I have seconded some of the amendments tabled by my colleague, Senator Black, including amendment No. 9, which proposes to strengthen the...

Seanad: Corporate Manslaughter (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second Stage (26 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would like to share time and give two minutes to my colleague, Senator Kelleher.

Seanad: Corporate Manslaughter (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second Stage (26 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the Minister. I also welcome what is a constructive and important Bill, which I would love to see move forward today and which am happy to support. It is an important Bill in the context of Ireland having made commitments in respect of the area of business and human rights in its business and human rights strategy. It fits very much within that space. It is an important...

Seanad: Agricultural Prices and Decision by UK to Leave EU: Statements (25 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: My colleague has already addressed some of the concerns relating to the mushroom industry and rural employment. It is an issue that I am aware of, having worked with young unemployed people in rural areas and seen the importance of such industries there. The mushroom industry is one in which standards have been strengthened, particularly in terms of workers' rights. It is important that we...

Seanad: Agricultural Prices and Decision by UK to Leave EU: Statements (25 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have to correct the Minister on the phrase "conspiracy theory". We need to be very careful in the language we use. I hope the Minister is not suggesting that is anything to do with the Seanad.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will bracket for a moment my own questions because I need to come in on this. I might then come back to my original questions. It is very important that we are clear on that question. Mr. McKeon cites European public procurement rules. While I recognise that there have been some ameliorating attempts in the way the contracts have been designed, there are a couple of fundamental issues....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: In terms of long-term education, for example, college education, do they get referred back into the system?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I know there is a time limit of a month on the-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: In terms of choice-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Should we suggest that to our 18 year old graduates coming out of secondary school then in that context?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is the fundamental question of reversibility. That is all.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Will the Department have the option of returning to public delivery fully? I am interested in this from a legal and commercial perspective. Mr. McKeon has spoken about the Department's obligations under procurement directives. I am now speaking in terms of investment directives because there is an area of future projected profits.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I was asking about the setting of a precedent. We can come back to it another time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We can come back to this in detail because I think it is somewhat technical.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes. I apologise for spending so much time on that question, in particular. I welcome Mr. McKeon's statement that he may come back in on more specific detailed questions, so I am not going to ask many of them. I would like to reflect on the crucial and fundamental principles and assumptions that are at work here. I am noting a fundamental issue and question that arises here. There is a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The sanction is new.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am certainly not suggesting it is the general practice among staff and I certainly do not want to engage in fear-mongering, but when we give information that there is a perception, it is important because people are very vulnerable in these situations. Perhaps there might be a need for a stronger information programme in which we can look to clarify the position. I would happily be able...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Department of Social Protection (20 Oct 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The particular cohort is qualified adults.