Results 141-160 of 346 for speaker:Jim Higgins

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: The House will recall that three weeks ago, we welcomed the appointment of the new Garda Commissioner designate, Noel Conroy, and tributes were paid to him and to the outgoing Commissioner. One of the features of the term of office of the outgoing Commissioner was a series of internal inquiries about the conduct of the Garda Síochána. In particular, I am thinking of the inquiry set up in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: The second issue I wish to raise concerns a new development which, in my opinion, is a complete waste of Garda time. At every GAA championship match during the current season, Garda video cameras have been used to scan the crowds. I do not know what purpose this serves. A feature of the GAA has always been – we are extremely proud of the fact – that violence never erupts in the crowds...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: I wish I could believe the Leader.

Seanad: Interest Rates Reduction: Statements. (12 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: With the permission of the House, I wish to share time with Senator Coghlan.

Seanad: Interest Rates Reduction: Statements. (12 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: The decision by the European Central Bank to cut interest rates by 0.5% was a welcome relief for those with high mortgages. A four-bedroom house in any large town now averages a purchase price of €200,000. Despite the fact that European interest rates are at an historic low, this still represents monthly repayments of approximately €1,600 or €1,700 to a young couple on two average...

Seanad: Interest Rates Reduction: Statements. (12 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: —a key component missing from that list is some kind of regulation of interest rates. One of my big regrets is that we did not insert a stipulation regarding controls on interest rates on Committee and Report Stages of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority Bill. Financial institutions have no obligations, moral or otherwise, other than to their directors and shareholders. It is profit...

Seanad: Interest Rates Reduction: Statements. (12 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: Will the Senator name and shame?

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: I join my colleaugue, Senator Ulick Burke, in calling for a debate on the IDA report. When we joined the EEC in 1973, the expectation was that the rising tide of Social and Cohesion Funds would lift all boats but it has not. From the point of view of the Border, midlands and western region, we have been stuck in the shallows and, as the figures published yesterday prove conclusively, we are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: Therefore I welcome the commitment by the Minister. He should spell it out as quickly as possible, preferably in this House.

Seanad: Visit of Parliamentary Delegation from Bosnia Herzegovina. (11 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: I welcome to the Seanad a delegation from Bosnia Herzegovina consisting of the heads of the political parties in that country. They are very welcome and I wish them a céad míle fáilte.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. (10 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: I thank the Cathaoirleach for choosing this matter for the Adjournment. The decision by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland on 29 April last to withdraw the broadcasting licence of North West Radio came as a bombshell to the station management, the shareholders and to its excellent staff. Above all, it came as a thunderbolt to the hundred of thousands of loyal listeners in counties Sligo,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. (10 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: Does the Minister of State have information to hand as to when it is anticipated the review will be completed?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. (10 Jun 2003)

Jim Higgins: The Minister of State might convey it to me in due course.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: I join Senator O'Toole and other Members in congratulating Mr. Noel Conroy on his appointment as Commissioner designate of the Garda Síochána and wish him well on what is undoubtedly a tough and challenging task. Never before in the history of the Garda Síochána, from issues of management to morale, has strong leadership been needed. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: The starting salary for secretaries has been reduced by €70.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Army Barracks. (28 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: I wish to share time with Senator Paddy Burke.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Army Barracks. (28 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: The failure of the Minister for Defence and his Department to release the necessary funding for the refurbishment of the military barracks at Castlebar, County Mayo, has caused major disappointment among the military personnel there, particularly those committed 680 members of the Reserve Defence Force of the 18th Battalion and Companies A, B, C and D and the 5th Motor Battalion. They are...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Army Barracks. (28 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: I thank the Minister for his reply and his assurance that he will not countenance a reduction in Reserve Defence Force members in Mayo. The work to be carried out will cost €140,000 and will not be completed in time for camp in three or four weeks. Does he anticipate the contract will go to tender before the end of the year with a view to having the work completed before next year's summer camp?

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: If media reports are correct, it seems that the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Joe Walsh, and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, will have to make considerable concessions in the CAP and marine negotiations on fisheries policy and quotas, respectively. While we know we have done well out of the Common Agricultural Policy, this...

Seanad: Sustaining Progress: Statements. (27 May 2003)

Jim Higgins: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Sustaining Progress programme. There is no doubt that partnership agreements have been one of the cornerstones of the recovery of this country's economy, particularly since the dark days when it languished as one of the worst and most under-performing in the EU. The coming together of the social partners in order to work out a...