Results 1,721-1,740 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Air Navigation and Transport (Prevention of Extraordinary Rendition) Bill 2008: First Stage (20 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for the exercise of powers under the Air Navigation and Transport Acts 1936 to 1998 in accordance with the international legal obligations of the State in respect of secret detention facilities and inter-state transport of prisoners; and to provide for related matters.

Air Navigation and Transport (Prevention of Extraordinary Rendition) Bill 2008: First Stage (20 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (19 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 114: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made on introducing multi-annual funding for the Arts Council; when this will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41116/08]

Written Answers — Foras na Gaeilge: Foras na Gaeilge (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 123: To ask the Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil maoiniú á cháilliúint sa bhliain 2009 ag aon cheann de na 19 n-eagras dheonacha Gaeilge a fhaigheann bunmhaoimiú trí Fhoras na Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [40909/08]

Written Answers — Údarás na Gaeltachta: Údarás na Gaeltachta (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 111: To ask the Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, cad iad na cainteanna a bhí aige le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta faoi ghníomhachtaí Thaighde Mara Teoranta a chur ar ceal; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [40908/08]

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I am reflecting on the spirt in which the legislation is being brought forward, as well as the debate we had on Committee Stage. The important principle of peacekeeping and having a set of absolute conditions for the protection of Irish personnel are issues which affect me. I do not want to put into text something which would have the consequence of impairing the capacity to respond quickly...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: In withdrawing this amendment the Minister is establishing a political moral context in which an operational decision would be taken. None of us in the House would suggest it is a mere matter of operational decision making outside another context. The Minister has supplied context on Committee Stage and Report Stage and I am happy to accept that on the understanding it is what would govern...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 5: In page 5, to delete lines 42 to 46.

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 6: In page 6, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: "(a) is committed by an Irish citizen or gives rise to injury to or death of an Irish citizen,". We do not need to delay on this. The purpose of this amendment is to extend the extra territorial scope of the Bill to ensure offences by or against Irish citizens are prohibited. The legislation as amended on...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: At the end of my discussion on a related amendment on Committee Stage I introduced the question of the position of mercenaries, and I had a particular reason for that. I can see the goodwill of the Minister towards the spirit of my amendment but he is unwilling to accept it due to difficulties in implementation. The use of the position of non-combatants in the Geneva Convention is not...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I will not press the amendment. I will make the arguments in another place.

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 9: In page 9, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: "11.—Section 30(1)(e) of the Defence Act 1954 is repealed.". Reluctantly, I will not press the amendment. However, I suggest to the Minister that he should alert his colleague the Minister for Defence of the necessity of achieving what I have suggested in it. We can come back to the matter on another occasion.

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: As someone who tabled a number of amendments, it is appropriate to pay tribute to the Government for bringing forward the legislation. I pay tribute too to the staff of the Department, who throughout the negotiations in Croke Park and in preparation for the legislation were an admirable example of an activist Department operating out of a rights perspective. They deserve our admiration for...

Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: It has not gone to Irish business.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: A blast from the past.

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, to delete lines 20 to 23. This amendment simply deals with the coming into operation of the Bill. I do not propose to delay very long on some of these amendments but I will concentrate on substantive ones of definition. It is interesting that on Committee Stage the defence of the text as it remains is that it is a convention relating to drafting. I have...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: It was not my suggestion that the Minister would be dilatory in regard to either ratification or the bringing into existence of such administrative procedures as would expedite the delivery of the legislation. I was simply making a point in regard to any further legislation or in principle on any other legislation. It is my belief that we are incapable of finitude in regard to text and...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 2: In page 3, to delete lines 30 to 33. The amendment relates to the definition of anti-handling devices. It is a matter we discussed on Committee Stage and on which there remains a difference. For the sake of economy and brevity I hope to make the fundamental case. It is that something that has the consequence of being an anti-personnnel device — in the short term,...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: The Minister has encouraged me to stray from the particular to the general on this matter. However, I will first refer to amendment No. 9. On the Minister's last point, when he is reviewing the Explosives Act 1875, at the base of our current legislation on landmines, he might consider the 1954 Act. One cannot have it both ways in regard to interpretation. We can leave this amendment aside...