Results 1,381-1,400 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The collection in regard to derelict housing is not happening. If we are debating it, and I have heard others raising the issue of housing policy, we need to look to the sticks as well as the carrots.

Seanad: Electoral Reform (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Motion to Discharge Order for Second Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I second that.

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motion (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Department for the helpful briefing document that was forwarded to us. I had raised some questions on these matters. I am noting, as the Minister of State has indicated himself, that the proposal being discussed today is part of a twin set of proposals published in December last year, both of which relate to the new rules around the sharing of advance passenger information. One...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, to delete lines 20 to 22 and substitute the following: “ “(c) each subsequent successive period of 3 years, or earlier if the Minister deems appropriate, beginning on the commencement of section 2 of the Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Act 2023.”.”. Amendment No. 1 seeks to remove the amendment of section 2 of the...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have concerns around how section 4(b) intersects with section 7 in the context of ensuring transparency. I and others have amendments to do with transparency in later sections but I hereby give an advance signal that I may bring forward amendments to this section on Report Stage. The provision concerns a situation in which a person is a body that has no full-time employees and is...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would also look to expand on this area. There are valid points but there are also some concerns, which we can see highlighted. For example, it is important that we do not have measures used as an attempt to create a chilling effect in advocacy on NGOs or civil society. Ireland has been a strong champion for the role of civil society as part of democracy internationally. However, we have...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wish to indicate my full support. This is a very important amendment. It is an example of an area where we cannot afford to get it wrong. We cannot afford come back in five years' time, for example, to discover that the legislation as it was drafted has not been sufficient to protect against this kind of fossil fuel lobbyist. Every year matters and I believe this is an opportunity to...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I do not believe that is required but I would be very happy to.

Seanad: Public Water Connection Charges: Motion (26 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: First, I want to indicate my support and that of my colleagues in the Civil Engagement Group for this motion from the Green Party. It is welcome, important and the suggestions it makes are very practical. As Senator Boylan has just pointed out, it is important we and the motion recognise that water is not simply a commodity but in fact a human right, and access to clean and safe drinking...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the motion on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament on the collection and transfer of advance passenger information, requiring approval by the House, not be taken today but on a future date. We need a little more information. This is a regulation that states it is for the sharing of passenger information in advance-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am happy for it to be taken but I am looking for further information.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Not be taken today.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Of course, nobody wants to obstruct the sharing of information relating to the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes or terrorist offences, but it would be useful to have more information and guarantees on how this regulation will be used. I would like a briefing from the Government clarifying that it will not become a mechanism used solely to screen or limit intra-EU migration but...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Second Stage (19 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister will have heard from all sides of the House our expectation that he will engage on and improve the Bill. In regard to the wider picture, he will recall that following the publication of the report of the mother and baby homes commission, points that had been made in the Seanad led to a slightly better approach to the access to records. As was outlined by others, however, that...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 22: In page 60, line 22, to delete “including” and substitute “and shall include”.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will speak to the grouping.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Amendment No. 22 is a relatively minor amendment. It seeks to ensure a notice of a screening determination for the environmental impact assessment, EIA, would be published on the website of the Department, together with information on the procedure for seeking to have that decision judicially reviewed. The screening determination, which decides whether an EIA is needed, is something which...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for accepting and acknowledging that point regarding archaeological interest. It will be more in tune with later sections of the Bill, which recognise that broader scope – not just archaeological but historic, cultural and community that is spoken of later. Having that wider frame of "things" will be important. It will considerably strengthen the Bill...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 23: In page 61, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: “(3) In respect of the Minister’s determination of a relevant application, the Minister shall demonstrate due regard to the results of the EIA.”.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 25: In page 62, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “(7) Nothing in subsection (6) shall be regarded as undermining the responsibilities of the applicant under the EIA Directive.”.