Results 1,801-1,820 of 4,092 for speaker:Michael D Higgins

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 151: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the withdrawal of the grant in respect of foreign qualified teachers to attend courses in the Gaeltacht; if his Department has put a [i]de facto[/i] recruiting ban on foreign teachers into the primary school system because they can no longer improve their standard of Irish to the required level; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 333: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the case of a person (details supplied), as well as other similar cases recently documented; his further views on whether these testimonies prove that Ireland, Irish airspace and Irish airports are implicated in actions which are torture by another name; the implications for Ireland in this regard in view of the illegality...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 337: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in Iraq; and his views on the plight of members of the Christian churches in that country, many of whom have been displaced and had to flee their homes. [38399/08]

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 338: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in Afghanistan, particularly with reference to Pakistani and Afghan political and tribal leaders recently agreeing to establish contacts with the Taliban to end insurgencies in both countries as an outcome of a two-day meeting endorsed by the governments of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. [38400/08]

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. It is important that I acknowledge the Government's intentions in introducing this legislation and the manner in which consensus was achieved on so many fundamental aspects of it over a period of a few years. I also pay tribute to people like Tony D'Costa of Pax Christi Ireland and others in the non-governmental sector who were involved not...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: An amendment will be tabled to that effect.

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: That is the limitation.

Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: By way of further clarification we are being told two contradictory things. The Tánaiste has stated on the record that legislation is being prepared to enable consultation with the IMO, that does not include the bodies Deputy Ó Caoláin has referenced. Separately, we have been told that there is to be legislation next year that will take account of the review of the competition Bill. The...

Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: That is correct.

Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: The Taoiseach will have an opportunity to support our legislation in this regard.

Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Michael D Higgins: It is only a bit of a committee, really.

Written Answers — Sheep Imports: Sheep Imports (30 Oct 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 25: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of sheep and lambs from Great Britain slaughtered in the six lamb factories here (details supplied) for 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008 with a monthly or weekly breakdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37443/08]

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (30 Oct 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 39: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on giving farmers more flexibility in the spreading of slurry and farmyard manure for the remainder of 2008 owing to the wet weather recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37442/08]

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (30 Oct 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Question 147: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the circumstances, on foot of reports that members of An Garda Síochána are to be equipped with pepper spray, under which his Department and the Garda Commissioner propose such spray may be used; and the research he and his Department have undertaken as to the use of such sprays in other jurisdictions with particular...

Education Cuts: Motion (Resumed) (30 Oct 2008)

Michael D Higgins: They are indeed.

Education Cuts: Motion (Resumed) (30 Oct 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Based on property speculation.

Education Cuts: Motion (Resumed) (30 Oct 2008)

Michael D Higgins: The Government.

Education Cuts: Motion (Resumed) (30 Oct 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Yes.

Education Cuts: Motion (Resumed) (30 Oct 2008)

Michael D Higgins: Hear, hear.

Education Cuts: Motion (Resumed) (30 Oct 2008)

Michael D Higgins: I propose to share my time with Deputies Kathleen Lynch, Penrose, Stagg, Upton and Ciarán Lynch. I have only five minutes to reply to Deputy Fahey's comments. It tells its own story that when my colleague, Deputy Quinn, was Minister for Finance between 1995 and 2000 there was sustained economic growth supported by export performance. Between 2000 and 2005 the growth rate was sustained by...