Results 121-140 of 627 for at speaker:Emer Higgins

An Bille up an Daicheadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Cúram), 2023: An Dara Céim - Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Emer Higgins: ...amendment to our Constitution. This is a very significant moment because it reflects another crucial step towards advancing women's rights across Ireland. The proposed amendment seeks to eliminate archaic and stereotypical language referring to women in the home. It proposes a modern alternative that acknowledges the significance of the care and support provided among family members...

An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An Teaghlach), 2023: An Dara Céim - Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Emer Higgins: When I look around my local area, and even when I look around this Chamber, I can see clearly that the family of 1937, when the Constitution was originally written, has changed and that the Ireland of 1937 is no more. We have come a really long way in those recent years. Our small island has become increasingly more tolerant and more welcoming of all sexualities, gender identities and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Dec 2023)

Emer Higgins: Now that we are well on our way to 2024, I cannot help but think of the families in my area who are still struggling to get a public health nurse appointment. Babies in areas such as Lucan, Newcastle and Rathcoole may be showing signs of early developmental delay that are going unnoticed simply because of a lack of service. It is incredibly stressful for first-time parents who simply do not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Examination of Potential Consequences - Protecting and Enhancing the Provision of Palliative Care: Discussion (12 Dec 2023)

Emer Higgins: How does it work at the moment if someone from Ireland, where assisted dying is not legislated for, goes to Switzerland?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Emer Higgins: I thank our guests for being here to discuss the proposed Bill. Concerns were raised at a meeting earlier this week and it is great to have the opportunity to put those concerns to Ms Comer and Mr. Smyth. I thank them for their time. I am very supportive of the principle of the proposed Bill. When I was a tenant, I was offered the opportunity to purchase from my landlord. This does happen...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Emer Higgins: Thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for chairing this debate. I commend the efforts of my colleagues, the Minister for Housing, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, the Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan, and my cross-party colleagues on the housing committee who have worked very extensively on this legislation. I note there was some discussion earlier today relating to briefing documents. It is telling...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (6 Dec 2023)

Emer Higgins: 176. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the actions being taken to address the staff shortages impacting paediatric neurology services at Crumlin Hospital, particularly regarding the reduced access to the neurology nurses' phone line, essential for epilepsy care in children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54023/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Emer Higgins: I thank all the witnesses for being here, especially at such short notice. What many of them have said is that this is already happening. That is good and positive and progressive. I have personal experience of someone who was a tenant being offered first refusal when the property went up for sale. There are many constituents in that same boat. I would like to see that extended much...

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Buildings: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: It is five months since this change happened. If we cannot look into the future, let us look at the situation since July. What has the change in premiums been?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: Sadly, one in four pregnancies ends in loss. The State supports women in terms of leave from work who miscarry from 26 weeks on or who tragically experience a stillbirth. However, if someone experiences early pregnancy loss, they do it in isolation and without access to State leave. I have campaigned for early pregnancy loss. One of the challenges I have come up against is the lack of...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 26 - Education (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: I will start by welcoming the investment in the Department of Education, especially in the schools building programme, the Minister successfully fought for. I thank her for her leadership on practical inputs that have had a huge benefit for people's household budgets, such as the free school books initiative, free school transport and her collaboration with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Assisted Dying in New Zealand and Australia: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: I thank our witnesses for being here with us today. It is very important for us to get the international perspective on this. This is what is being provided to us today. We have a very short space of time to come to our conclusions and our recommendations for Government on what is a very complex issue. We are very reliant on the expertise of people who work in the area, whether it be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Assisted Dying in New Zealand and Australia: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: That is a very interesting perspective. My colleagues may correct me if I am wrong, but it is one that I do not think we have heard before at this committee. Perhaps the other witnesses would like to comment on the safeguards in place in New Zealand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Assisted Dying in New Zealand and Australia: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: As we have healthcare practitioners and politicians in the meeting, I have a question for Mr. Seymour. In the referendum, 65% of the population voted in favour and 45% were not in favour at the time of the vote. That is quite a large percentage of the population. How has the Government brought that 45% of people been brought on the journey?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Assisted Dying in New Zealand and Australia: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: Apologies. It is late at night here in Ireland.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: I thank all our guests for being here. I welcome them in their capacity as members of a newly formed organisation. We need the commission now more than ever. We know that democracy is fragile. We are living in a changing world of 24-7 news, fake news, artificial intelligence, targeted adverts, misinformation and social media. All of those factors can be weaponised to attack democracy....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (21 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: 63. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to outline plans for the Irish Air Corps Museum and the Heritage Project, and for the curated historical aviation artefacts displayed in the Baldonnell Museum at a hangar in Casement Aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50331/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (21 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: 255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a small rural school in County Dublin would have no feeder secondary school assigned (details supplied), which in turn leaves students at a disadvantage in securing a school place in an area that has a shortage of school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50974/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying: Access to Palliative Care and Social Supports: Discussion (21 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: I thank our witnesses for being here with us and for all of the care and support they provide to people. Palliative care is one of the most important services provided in Ireland. It supports not only the person at the heart of the care but also their entire families during an extremely difficult time. I have taken on board the message that further investment and further support are...

Science Week: Statements (16 Nov 2023)

Emer Higgins: It is safe to say that in our current journey through a climate emergency and a world driven by artificial intelligence, AI, it is critical that we keep science and research at the forefront of our discussions here in the Oireachtas and in government. Science is not a distant concept confined to lab coats. It is the bedrock of understanding how global challenges impact on our everyday...