Results 981-1,000 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the ongoing crisis in the area of inter-country adoption and in particular the impasse surrounding those persons who have been caught in a transitional phase whereby their applications will be void at the conclusion of a new deal on inter-country adoptions; if a transitional agreement will be concluded on this...

Written Answers — Mental Health Services: Mental Health Services (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether reductions to the mental health budget, both current and in budget 2010, are reasonable and fair; her further views on whether further cuts will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39459/09]

Written Answers — Mental Health Services: Mental Health Services (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 177: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing tragedy of suicide here; her views on whether further cuts in the health budget and particularly in the budget for mental health will exacerbate this tragedy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39460/09]

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 178: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the ongoing crisis in the area of inter-country adoption; if she will report on a recent meeting (details supplied) held with Vietnamese officials at which it was believed the matter would be discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39461/09]

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: That is a fair point.

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of this motion tabled by my Labour Party colleague, Deputy Ciarán Lynch. It is astonishing that people would speak with apparent compassion yet be ready at 8.30 p.m. to vote down a motion. If there was an ounce of sensitivity and reality shown for the position of people who are threatened with repossession of their homes, the Government would...

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The threats.

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Landlords, again.

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: That is the real world.

National Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Exactly. It means whatever the Minister says it means.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I will try to be brief. Deputy Edward O'Keeffe's speech should do wonders for share prices. If it does not, we have just no hope at all. I would like to focus specifically on the amendments before the House. When I attended last evening's launch of a book written by Senator Ross, I learned about the packages that were negotiated by some of the people at the tops of the banks. It seems...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: These are all the correct words. I am sure that, in many cases, the ordinary, average shareholders in Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks debated whether one should pay €500,000 or €1.5 million to the people in charge of those banks. Some of the deals negotiated were obscene. The argument in their favour was that the system involved gambling of such a sophisticated international...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Proper business, yes. That tells us a lot. It gives significance to where we are going. I hope the Minister realises we are supporting his suggestion if he is talking about a change of culture. There must be a change of culture and process, and transparency must be introduced. There must also be an opportunity for those who are elected to be able to try to move the economy on to a safer...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It is about having an open mind.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It does.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Why then has the Government not tabled an amendment suggesting that a committee be established?

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Yes. I look forward to the introduction of a Government amendment.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: We are glad we did not regard Anglo Irish Bank as systemic.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: This is the old one.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2009)

Michael D Higgins: That is it.