Results 1,321-1,340 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (28 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 96: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the funding provided by him to Comhaltas Ceoltóri Éireann; the way this funding is decided; his views on whether this funding represents the best value for money for the promotion of traditional arts and music here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16353/09]

Written Answers — Positive Ageing Strategy: Positive Ageing Strategy (28 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 204: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the national positive ageing strategy as committed to in the programme for Government 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16374/09]

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (28 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 205: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that adequate transparency was observed in the tendering process undergone by nursing homes for the winter initiative scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16375/09]

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (28 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 257: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has been contacted by representatives of the approximately 5,000 people who use Irish sign language on a regular basis towards making the language into an officially recognised language; if so, if their request has been acted upon; and his position on the issue. [16150/09]

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (28 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 332: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the application for the funding of a community development project in a RAPID area (details supplied); and if he will support the project. [16230/09]

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (28 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Question 367: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received correspondence from a group (details supplied); the position regarding the reaction and response he propose to make to the suggestions contained therein with regard to the appointment of consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16840/09]

Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: With regard to No. 68, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill, has any comparative work been done on the role of parliaments? It is suggested that the Bill will be published in 2009. Has the opportunity been taken to examine the function of parliaments or will there be an opportunity for public consultation? I raise this matter to be of assistance to the Ceann Comhairle...

Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

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

Michael D Higgins: Question 14: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consequences of the recent supplementary budget in terms of commitments to overseas development aid; if the cuts to the ODA budget are disproportionate in his view, particularly in view of budget 2009, the effects of which were felt particularly heavily in the overseas aid area. [15360/09]

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The OECD has given a favourable report on the Irish aid programme, which is welcome. However, one would find it strange that the only increase, an increase of 240%, in the allocations in Vote 29 is in value for money and policy reviews. When there is consensus about the value of the programme and when we have had to cut back good elements of it, why embark on value for money studies at this...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: That is not my argument.

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I think the rush to vigilance is a cover.

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I think the programme has been damaged by the unfounded allegations against it.

Territorial Waters. (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The issue is around 25 years, since the time of Charles Haughey.

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: And an international tribunal on war crimes.

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: To a Palestinian state.

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear. He will do better than Tony Blair.

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: I am grateful for the Minister's reply and I share the Government's concern regarding the safety of personnel. I wish to ask a number of directly-related questions. It appears to me that both the present Minister and his predecessor laid great stress on the evolution of thinking at the United Nations, particularly in respect of the duty to protect. The duty to protect was a key block in...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister's response has illustrated the point that when developing this concept, Kofi Annan developed a parallel notion of devolving certain functions of the Security Council to regional bodies, including the African Union. The Minister's reply has revealed that the idea of a movement from an absolutist version of sovereignty has not been accepted fully either by the African Union or in...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Michael D Higgins: Nor is the capacity.