Results 1,441-1,460 of 8,482 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 33: In page 23, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: “(d) the Príomh Chomhairleoir, who shall be the chairperson of the consultative forum.”.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 34: In page 23, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: “(d) the Príomh Chomhairleoir, who shall be the chairperson of the consultative forum, and (e) two members of the elected council nominated on a bi-annual basis by resolution of the elected council.”

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 35: In page 23, line 24, after “Council” to insert “and the potential for the introduction of additional revenue-raising powers for the elected council”.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 36: In page 23, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: “(d) the conferral of such additional functions on the elected council for the effective and sustainable operation of Limerick City and County Council,”.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Can we have another minute?

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I wish to speak to section 6. I tabled an amendment to this section, which I understand is out of order, but I wish to speak to the-----

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is on section 6, in respect of the moneys received by or on behalf of the State by way of repayment and so on.

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Okay. Apologies. The same issue arises in section 6 but I will address it in section 15.

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will speak to the issue in this section. This section looks to how funds may be utilised as they are received by the State in repayment, as outlined. In this Bill, a large amount of money is rightly directed towards supporting investment in and the reconstruction and re-establishment of Ukraine.It is appropriate that we would look at that wider context of the support that Ireland...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is good that there has been responsible engagement on the part of the Government with UNRWA and that there are no plans to diminish the support. The amendment had sought to identify other sources of funding to supplement what Ireland is currently giving to UNRWA because, if it is the case-----

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Of course. I thank the Minister of State. We can come back to this in another context. Nevertheless, it is important for Ireland to make plans to look at how we can not just continue our funding but increase it if international humanitarian responsibility requires that should a gap arise during these crucial months.

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 2: In page 14, line 25, to delete “Dáil Éireann” and substitute “both Houses of the Oireachtas”. Amendments Nos. 2 and 4 seek to address an issue with the Bill in that, as drafted, it would provide that the reporting on the functioning of these funds need be laid before only Dáil Éireann and not before both Houses of the...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am a little concerned by the reference to the NTMA. I hope this is not a signal that the State is moving away from seriousness in respect of its position regarding investment in cluster munitions. This would very much be a retrograde step, certainly given Ireland's leadership in this area. Our legislation is quite clear regarding this matter. It was framed initially in terms of the NTMA...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister of State. Again, it may be useful when the reports are placed before the Dáil, if not the Seanad, to indicate what kind of information will be available and will come through. This is something that is certainly important for Ireland to monitor. I accept the bona fides of the Minister of State in this regard, but we may return to the issue because I think greater...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 3: In page 14, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following: “(ii) information regarding what monies paid by the State under the Guarantee Agreement were used for, including but not limited to evidence that the monies paid by the State were not used for purposes contrary to the State’s legislative obligations related to investment, including but not...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 4: In page 16, line 28, to delete “Dáil Éireann” and substitute “both Houses of the Oireachtas”.

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 5: In page 16, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following:“(b)information regarding what payments made by the State to enable it to comply with its obligations under the MFA+ Contribution Agreement were utilised for,including but not limited to evidence that the monies paid by the State were not used for purposes contrary to the State’s legislative...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 6: In page 17, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: “Report on conditionalities 22. The Minister shall, within 18 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining the manner in which Ireland has ensured that European Union funding to Ukraine does not come with conditionalities which would undermine...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The support for funding for the Ukrainian people is not the question here, and that is not something that is being debated. The question is around genuinely supporting the Ukrainian people so that the funding can be used in the way that is most appropriate and that drives this. With regard to the reporting process - and I say this as a former member of the Future of Europe process - the...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will support the Bill in terms of Ireland allocating the funding. I will press the amendment because even while the money is dispersed this is an area that I am not seeing being identified or raised enough at a European level. I would like Ireland to raise it a little more vocally.