Results 1,221-1,240 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Michael D Higgins: In the last Dáil, the Government did not oppose the Labour Party's Private Members' Bill on the protection of whistleblowers. It passed Second Stage and is on the Order Paper. Given the failure to protect the public interest by self regulating bodies, including the Medical Council, will the Taoiseach provide Government time for conclusion of this legislation or announce a timescale for the...

Foreign Adoptions. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It would help if the Minister of State said the Department of Foreign Affairs would examine those caught in the transition and make efforts to get the HSE to clear this up so that there is not an unnecessary delay in the cases being processed. The Department of Foreign Affairs is the protector of the quality of the relationship with the other side in international agreements. We must be...

Emigrant Support Services. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The question refers to any such visas and the issue arises in respect of undocumented individuals in the United States unless they left the United States and applied for one of the new visas. The US Government appears to have had a change of policy. It initially prosecuted a line of dealing with all of the undocumented, including millions of Mexicans, who may progress to citizenship. It...

Overseas Development Aid. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister of State is correct in saying there has been a very positive evaluation of Ireland's aid programme. There was also a reference to improvements necessary in coherence between aid, trade, debt and so forth. It would be useful to hear if this will be given priority in the interdepartmental committee relevant to this matter. With regard to the fundamental matter raised by Deputy...

Third Level Funding. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: When the interim review for these projects, which is due shortly, is completed, will the Minister of State publish details of the receiving institutions and the project leaders? In fairness, I do not mind if the follow-up communications to my questions come to me after today. Has the special unit on governance been established in the Department? Higher education institutions differ in their...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 52: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts he is making to finalise an agreement on inter-country adoption with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; if he plans on visiting that country to help secure the agreement; the level of support he is providing to the Department of Health and Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21851/09]

Middle East Peace Process. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Of course, he is.

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views as to the appropriate form of international independent investigation to ascertain the facts as to civilian casualties, breaches of human rights or possible war crimes committed in recent times in Sri Lanka. [21950/09]

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I am grateful for the Minister's reply and the fact the Government supports an independent inquiry. A number of issues arise as a result of the recent events in Sri Lanka, one of which is language. The language used at the time of this particular assault by the Sri Lankan army included the phrase "the elimination of the terrorist threat". This phrase was used also by the Pakistan...

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: In regard to post-conflict resolution and the position of India, is the Minister not concerned that the Indian Government expressed a concern for the minority in the recent past but changed sides? That changing of sides had the effect of creating open season for the Sri Lankan forces. The other issue is whether cluster bombs were used. That would have to be part of the international...

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It is.

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: It is in the text of the question.

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I appreciate the Minister's answer.

Diplomatic Representation. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Would the Minister exclude the two main parties?

Foreign Adoptions. (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for the main body of his reply. It dealt with the future arrangements, about which there is no difficulty. Legislation that will implement the Hague Convention or arrangements that will reflect the principles thereof will be very valuable. However, an issue arises with regard to the transition to the new system and also to the cases that are outstanding under...

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Yesterday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe had the benefit of an opening address by you, a Cheann Comhairle. This was followed by a statement by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, in which he said one of the key features of a social crisis with employment in an affluent country like Ireland is that large social welfare...

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: If there is a change in Government policy, it is in here we want to hear about it rather than-----

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: -----at an OSCE conference which is a festival of right-wing thinking and where extremists of free market thinking like to pad up each other.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: There is nothing wrong with windy statements in such places.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael D Higgins: However, if there is to be a change in policy, it is in here we want to hear it.