Results 1,441-1,460 of 3,425 for speaker:Emer Higgins

Committee on Public Petitions: Public Petition on St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir (Resumed): Health Service Executive (9 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I attending a meeting of the Joint Committee on Disability Matters this morning that was focused on what Ms Killeen White described, including privacy, the elements of congregated settings and why we need to move to decongregation. Much of what Ms Killeen White said rings true for those of us who are on that committee as well.

Committee on Public Petitions: Public Petition on St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir (Resumed): Health Service Executive (9 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: As am I, and I had my hand up for an hour and a half.

Committee on Public Petitions: Public Petition on St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir (Resumed): Health Service Executive (9 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: We have heard from emotional families of people who were residents and who have worked there, and it is understandable that they are emotional. We have also heard from people who have felt the loss of this facility to their community, and it is regrettable that any service is ever lost from any community. I thank the witnesses for coming in to put forward the case for what the rationale...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Raising Awareness of the Lived Experience of Congregated Settings: Discussion (9 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I apologise for being late, but I was at the housing committee next door. There is a great deal of synergy between it and this discussion. I thank the witnesses for attending. It is people's lived experience and the experience of organisations working on the ground that inform this committee. I wish to put on the record my thanks for, and recognition of, the work of Peamount Healthcare...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I thank our speakers and our witnesses for being here with us today, sharing their expertise and inputting that level of expertise into the Bill. We want this Bill to be very well-rounded. It needs to make sure that, if we are implementing statutory timelines, the resources are in place to equip these decisions to be made within those timelines. For me, it boils down to trust in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: Ms Buckley referred to the fixed-term contracts in that proposal. What impact would that have on the board's ability to attract talent in this space?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I thank Ms Buckley.

Committee on Public Petitions: Public Petition on St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir (Resumed): Health Service Executive (9 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: We have gone over the flood plain issue a fair bit. Is there anything the witnesses would like to add in that regard? It is mentioned somewhere in the opening statement, but I want to ask what year this building was first built.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Code (8 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: 111. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has considered the business case for deferring stamp duty liability on properties that have been purchased by individuals, groups or businesses with the sole purpose of improvement in order to encourage investors to fix up older, less energy efficient stock for resale, thereby creating a green flipping business model; and if he will make a statement...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (8 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: 230. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on a school development project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5961/23]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (8 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: 284. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the circumstances under which it is possible for a child’s parents to apply for an early childhood care and education programme over-age exemption or deferral to delay their child’s entry into the ECCE programme; if he will outline the qualifying requirements for this exemption; and if he will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (7 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I thank all of the witnesses for attending. I am very supportive of the idea of moving to ten-year development plans. It is one I floated in this committee three years ago. It will increase efficiencies and free up planners and planning resources within local authorities, while also creating long-term sustainable visions for counties right across the country. I ask for a little more...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (7 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: What about the initial phase of plan-making, planning permissions and getting stakeholder engagement?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (7 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I am sure it is not solely my experience that the board, for whatever reason, whether resourcing or otherwise, often cannot make a decision on submissions within the given timeframe. A notification is then sent to say the time has been extended. Will this legislation cover that issue? Will it specify that decisions must be made within particular timeframes and, if so, how will that be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (7 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I thank Ms Jones. That is really helpful.

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I wish to share time with Deputy Murnane O'Connor.

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I welcome the Bill. This positive and proactive legislation will improve not only how we tackle and prevent crime but also how we protect members of An Garda Síochána as they work to keep us and our streets safe. I know there has been discussion and criticism of some parts of the Bill. I refer in particular to the potential implications for privacy and civil liberties. I very...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I raise with the Tánaiste the extension of the free GP care scheme to children aged under eight. This has been on the cards for some time. In fact, the timeline for delivery was the end of last year. That time has come and gone and children aged six and seven still do not have their free GP cards. The parents of these 80,000 children want to see the scheme introduced before their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Living with a Disability: Discussion (2 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee and I apologise for missing the opening statements as I was attending the housing committee next door. I caught the end of Ms Johnstone outlining the reality of caring for her son, what it looks like on a day-to-day basis and how sometimes she has to make choices on behalf of her son. So do many other people who care for others in the...