Results 1,061-1,080 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (6 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 755: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether it is consistent policy for Ireland to oppose the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank while at the same time allowing goods originating from those illegal settlements to be sold in the market here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33061/09]

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed). (6 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I believe that the Bill before us regarding the National Asset Management Agency is the most important legalisation that will probably come before the Dáil in the next decade or decades, raising, as it does, issues not only for this generation of taxpayers but also issues for future generations. It touches on an issue of inter-generational justice. Surrounding this Bill there has been a...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed). (6 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Yes. We can come back to that.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed). (6 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: We can go into such detail on Committee Stage. I hope the Minister will agree to hold Committee Stage in plenary session so that all of us who have gone to the trouble of going through this Bill in detail will have an opportunity to ask him questions of this nature. As we look at this moving object, there is an assumption that the property market has bottomed out. The Minister has suggested...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed). (6 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I said that was the myth of the month.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed). (6 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It is the myth of six months.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed). (6 Oct 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Generate the bonuses.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Earlier this week I inquired with regard to ratification of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. I am grateful to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for his reply to the effect that on the passing of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, the convention will be signed. I also inquired as to whether Ireland proposed to sign the optional protocol to the UN...

Written Answers — Statement of Strategy: Statement of Strategy (24 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 19: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide a list of the tasks currently being carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32339/09]

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (23 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 39: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated figure for overall overseas development aid spending for the coming years on a yearly basis; if the target of 0.7% by 2012 remains credible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31734/09]

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (23 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 18: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the work programme of the conflict resolution unit in his Department. [31722/09]

Human Rights Issues. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent expulsion of UNICEF officials from Sri Lanka for seeking to highlight the detention of civilians and treatment of children, among others, during the conflict in the country; if he supports the call for an international investigation into human rights abuses; his views on same; and the steps the...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I am grateful to the Minister of State for his reply but it is rather depressing to hear that so little can be done. I put a number of points to the Minister of State. I understand the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, is in New York today raising the issue with the President of Sri Lanka. In that regard I trust the international community will support the Secretary General in...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: There is a serious issue with which both Ministers of State will be familiar. It was an opinion advanced by Dr. Sahnoun, among others, that the previous Secretary General of the United Nations has stressed the importance of humanitarian protection. In both this case and in a case I will discuss presently related to Gaza the sovereignty argument is being used to defeat the humanitarian...

Departmental Expenditure. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The list which was mentioned would do irreversible damage to our reputation.

Departmental Expenditure. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister of State should be.

Departmental Expenditure. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: We cannot export to Latin America if there are no embassies there.

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 7: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he will take and the initiatives, within the European Union, that he will initiate or support by way of response to the UN report on the recent killings, injuries and destruction in Gaza and neighbouring areas in Israel (details supplied); and the further steps as indicated in the report as appropriate Ireland will initiate or...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Is the Minister of State concerned about the use of the name of former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, in dismissing the Goldstone report? The media responses from the Israeli side have suggested that former President Robinson, a distinguished international jurist, declined to participate in the exercise on the basis that the terms of reference were not acceptable to her. Leaving that...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It also criticised Hamas.