Results 161-180 of 346 for speaker:Jim Higgins

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I am disappointed that the Minister of State has not seen worthy to accept this amendment. I do not want to misquote him but he said the Minister of Finance was well disposed towards having a review carried out of the working of the legislation and the new regulatory authority "after the passage of a few years." What I am talking about is the passage of two years. Surely after the...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I move amendment No. 2: In page 10, paragraph (g), line 18, after "problems" to insert "and the quality and cost of services to the consumer". This deals with section 5 which deals with the general functions and powers of the Central Bank. It sets out a list of functions. It states the bank has the following functions: to carry out the efficient and effective co-ordination of the activities...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: Perhaps the Leas-Chathaoirleach will apply the same laxity to Senator McDowell on the next amendment as he did to the Minister of State in allowing him to reply.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: There is a marked degree of glasnost in this House by comparison with the other House. I take the point that the Minister of State is making and I will be withdrawing the amendment. In relation to the Minister of State's comments that this fundamentally changes the character of the Central Bank, we will all welcome that if it happens. Does the leopard ever change its spots? The problem is –...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I move amendment No. 3: In page 31, line 29, after "designate" to insert "the Director of Consumer Affairs and". The subsection in question states: "Instead of appointing a person under subsection 1(c), the Minister may designate the holder of a specified office as an official member of the Regulatory Authority. Whoever is for the time being the holder of such an office is an official member...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I accept the Minister of State's explanation. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I move amendment No. 4: In page 35, line 46, after "instrument" to insert "provided that the Chief Executive has published a report demonstrating that these levies are necessary for recovery of its cost and indicating the performance indicators which are being monitored to ensure efficient and cost-effective operation". This is an add-on to the existing text. It relates to the powers to...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: In regard to the two important points raised by Senator McDowell concerning the formula to be used, the Minister of State said that the two options considered were a simple formula or a formula whereby the assets of a particular financial institution would be assessed together with the other elements and that the levy would be applied on that basis. Is he in a position to reassure us that...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I move amendment No. 5: In page 45, to delete all words from and including "in the name of" in line 22, down to and including "Authority" in line 26 and substitute "after consultation with the other members of the Regulatory Authority". This amendment deals with the responsibility of the consumer director and seeks to amend the new section 33S(6) which states: The Consumer Director may issue...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I move amendment No. 6: In page 46, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: "(e)comparisons against best practice in other comparable countries in relation to the cost of financial services and the range and quality of services offered.". This amendment deals with the annual report. The new section 33T(3) sets out in detail what must be included in the annual report. It states:...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I thank Senators Quinn and McDowell for supporting the amendment. The Minister of State stated there is no doubt that the chief executive will take the issues we have outlined into consideration. However, I am at a loss as to why he would not enshrine in the legislation the fundamental requirement to gauge and monitor the operation of our strategy as against that of similar strategies in...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I wish the authority well, just as everybody wishes well any authority set up to carry out a supervisory and regulatory role. It is important that the authority works, despite the fact that we have expressed doubts about the merits of merging its prudential and consumer protection elements. I agree with everything Senator McDowell said. The Minister of State and I had an argument about when...

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The regulation of the electrical contracting sector in Ireland has been the cause of considerable controversy for some years. Concerns over poor standards and the possibility of increased injury or damage to property caused by shoddy workmanship led to a voluntary initiative between the then Department of Energy, the Electricity Supply Board...

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I compliment and thank all of the Members who have participated in this debate. This is the first Private Members' Bill introduced to this Seanad and I feel it is one that should have been adopted unanimously. It is a life and death issue and the Government has shilly-shallied on it for far too long. Mention has been made of the inter-departmental group set up under the chairmanship of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Apr 2003)

Jim Higgins: I support the amendment proposed by my colleague Senator Brian Hayes to defer discussion on No. 3 and to introduce an emergency debate on crime. Anybody listening to Joe Duffy's "Liveline" programme, now taken over by Derek Davis, could not fail to be horrified by the graphic evidence from ordinary people about the manner in which they have been attacked – during the day or at night – on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: Last week, one of the most successful radio stations in the country lost its franchise. On the surface, this appears to be a bizarre decision. The station was in existence for 13 years and was commercially successful. On the day it was announced that the franchise was to be removed, the JNLR disclosed that the station had a listenership rating of 68%. We are supposed to be living in an era of...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Industrial Disputes. (7 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this important matter on the Adjournment. With the permission of the House, I would like to share time with my colleague, Senator Ulick Burke.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Industrial Disputes. (7 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: The ongoing dispute at Michael Davitt House, Castlebar, County Mayo, as well as in Galway, Limerick and Kerry, is an unmitigated disaster. It is now in its sixth week, and there is absolutely no sign of a solution or resolution. There are no talks taking place. Without meaningful dialogue, the dispute will go on and on. The consequences are horrendous and causing enormous hardship. It must be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: I agree wholeheartedly with the comments of Senator Ryan regarding competitiveness, and the comments made in relation to benchmarking by fat-cat chief executives of companies. Senator Ross's adjunct to the Sunday Independent business section carried a banner headline last week regarding six or seven chief executives, all of whom were earning more than €1 million per annum. There is no chief...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: The arbitration system—