Results 1,501-1,520 of 3,479 for speaker:Emer Higgins

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...

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

Emer Higgins: I would too. I thank Ms Cox for setting me right on that. I have a question for Ms Johnstone on how we can help Family Carers Ireland to achieve a meeting with the Minister and brief the Minister in advance to make sure he comes with an open mind and knowing exactly what carers are going through.

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

Emer Higgins: This is a somewhat related question. This particular instance is not provided for in any of the current allowances and I fully understand why. I am looking for a little bit of input on how we can support carers who are no longer caring. When somebody moves into an institution or goes into a long-term care facility, a lot of the time the carer - particularly if they are a bit older - is not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: We are an island nation so we all know the importance of seas not just in terms of access to our shores but also with regard to the preservation of nature and biodiversity and, as Ms Uí Bhroin put it so articulately, the importance of achieving a sustainable economy and future. We know that to achieve that, we must get from 8% to 30% in terms of protected areas. We know that, the EU...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: That makes sense. Mr. Goodwin argued that four weeks is too tight when it comes to the consultation period. Many of the witnesses who have appeared before us on this issue have made the same point. I agree with Mr. Goodwin regarding the eight-week period. That seems reasonable. I think it is ten weeks when it comes to development plans, which are also reviewed every six years, so there...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: As I have a minute, I will put a question to Fair Seas. In its written submission, it referred to the need for restoration. Could Dr. Griffin give us some examples as to what Fair Seas thinks is lacking in the Bill?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2023)

Emer Higgins: I have another committee meeting to attend so I apologise that I cannot stay. I thank the witnesses.