Results 1,761-1,780 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins
- Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I understand that officials in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government have offered to monitor and be part of a working group on the Aarhus Convention to help other European countries have their citizens acquire information on planning. When does Ireland propose to ratify the Aarhus Convention? Second, in a Government White Paper some years ago, a commitment was...
- Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: That was some time ago.
- Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I would appreciate that, as I have a large file on that convention. People write to me every six months or so. It is in the Government White Paper on aid and in the Government programme for legislation twice. I appreciate the Minister now is approaching it with urgency, so it may happen within my lifetime. As for the other convention, we are heading into the 11th year since Ireland signed...
- Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Would ten years not constitute sufficient consideration in the relevant Department? Would it not be great for the partners in government to at least have this small achievement in the lifetime of the present Government or the one that will follow it?
- Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I would not describe it as a success after five years. It has another five years to go before it reaches the same level as the Aarhus Convention.
- Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I move amendment No. 14: In page 11, line 9, after "community" to insert the following: "including the advancement of human rights and the promotion of equality or for advancing social or economic policy". I am disposed towards insisting on this amendment, which would include the words, "including the advancement of human rights and the promotion of equality or for advancing social or...
- Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: In the spirit of making progress and the best possible legislation, if the Minister had said to me he would examine the issue and would have included the advancement of human rights and the promotion of equality, I would have considered withdrawing the amendment on the grounds of the social or economic policy that is being applied. The net effect of the non-acceptance of my amendment on...
- International Agreements. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Question 97: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the proposals for a new institution at United Nations level to deal with international monetary transfers and trade which would report through the Economic and Social Committee to the Secretary General of the UN. [38564/08]
- International Agreements. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: It is very interesting that the reference to the task force under Professor Stiglitz is at the end of the answer. Before I ask a supplementary question, and lest any other impression be created, I will say that many people around the world have welcomed the election of a US President who believes in multi-lateralism, the role of diplomacy and a greater commitment to the international...
- International Agreements. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: My appeal is not so much addressed to the General Assembly. The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade emerged as an alternative to what had been agreed already, namely, the International Trade Organisation. It had been envisaged that the new body would report to the Secretary General of the United Nations through the UN Economic and Social Commission. I favour this mechanism on the basis...
- International Agreements. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Of course he would not agree with it.
- International Agreements. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: The unregulated market has failed.
- Middle East Peace Process. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Question 99: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories, specifically with regard to the position in the Gaza strip; if he is in a position to give details regarding proposals to extend the ceasefire for a further six month period beyond its expiration in December 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38565/08]
- Middle East Peace Process. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I welcome the Minister's reiteration of the principle of collective punishment, as per his description of what is taking place in Gaza. To save time I shall put some quick questions. If the Government recognises that what is taking place constitutes collective punishment, what measures are being taken to ensure compliance with the human rights conditionalities attached to the EU-Israel...
- Middle East Peace Process. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: In the context of the EU-Mediterranean agreement, why allow for a deepening of the relationship without any evidence of compliance on the human rights' side? Why not, for example, stipulate a six-month period in order to monitor compliance and then, at the end of the six months, decide where we stand on the agreement?
- Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: Cambodia is much worse off than Vietnam.
- European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: The Minister mentioned the criteria for the European neighbourhood policy, but does he agree it might be worth reviewing these, particularly the priority given, for example, to transitions to market economy? Some of the former territories dominated by what was the Soviet Union and in the neighbourhood of Russia have seen disastrous abuses in the transition involved to the market economy from...
- European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: They were transitions to the rackets.
- European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: In answering the pertinent question put by my colleague, Deputy Timmins, the Minister might also indicate whether he perceives a contradiction between the speed at which recognition of Kosovo was achieved and the problems that have arisen in Ossetia. In regard to Somalia, for example, is it his intention to recognise Somaliland?
- European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)
Michael D Higgins: I ask the Minister to address the provocations that led to these actions.