Results 101-120 of 431 for speaker:Lorraine Higgins

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: He was talking about Members being drunk on verbosity.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: The Senator should stick to the issues.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: The Senator cannot address a Minister in that way.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: As I did not get an opportunity to speak on Second Stage, I wish to commend the Minister on the clarity he has brought to a cloudy situation. He has introduced fairness and ensured affordability for all customers of Irish Water. It is important to clear the air in regard to section 2. We need to forget about scaremongering because the reality is that the section guarantees public ownership...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I propose we suspend until 2.10 p.m.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Roads Maintenance (11 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I commend the Minister on his efforts in regard to local roads, particularly private roads, and getting that scheme in place. With regard to the Minister's response, it is not enough to pit private roads against public roads. The costs are excessive for families and farmers and I strongly believe there should be a dedicated scheme in excess of the 15% on offer to cover them. I acknowledge...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Roads Maintenance (11 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: Coming from rural Ireland, the Minister of State is aware of the major issue of privately owned roads and the way they have been maintained. It is important that they are maintained to remain safe and fit for purpose for all road users, pedestrians and motorists alike. The cost of maintenance is incredibly expensive and far beyond the owners' ability to pay. In 2013, a private road...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Road Safety (10 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister for his response. I accept that roads fall within the remit of Galway County Council or county councils in general, but where there are road safety issues and there have been fatalities on the road in question and in the area in question, it is not acceptable that the situation continues. I will contact the director of roads for Galway County Council to ask that he...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Road Safety (10 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I ask the Minister to make funds available to address a significant road safety issue at Ballydavid, Athenry, in County Galway. I have previously raised this ongoing issue both locally and nationally in the Seanad but to no avail. I cannot overemphasise how precarious the current situation is both for residents and motorists in the area. If the situation continues unchanged, it will only...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: Like so many of my colleagues here today I want to express my absolute horror at what happened at Áras Attracta in County Mayo. I am shocked, horrified and embarrassed at what I watched on "Prime Time" last night. I commend Paul Maguire and his investigation team from "Prime Time" on exposing this most shocking of human rights abuses of elderly and vulnerable people. I fully expect...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: While Cyber Monday, the busiest day of the year for online shopping, has passed, between now and Christmas Irish consumers will spend millions of euro on Internet purchases. While such shopping undoubtedly has its positives, cyber crime rates have climbed steadily over the past few years. According to a business advisory firm, Grant Thornton, cyber crime has cost the Irish economy over...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs 2014: Statements (3 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I am happy to share time with Senator Mullins.

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs 2014: Statements (3 Dec 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the Minister to the House and commend the Government's Action Plan for Jobs. The Minister's input has reaped significant rewards after one of the most challenging economic periods on record, both nationally and internationally. In reflecting on the performance of the Action Plan for Jobs, it is important to consider all that this programme has achieved. As it stands, just under...

Seanad: Situation in Middle East and Ukraine: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the Minister. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to address him since he became Minister, and I wish him well in his role. I would like the House to note that today marks the first session of the newly elected Ukrainian Parliament after the country's general election in October. Since February of this year, Ukrainian citizens have experienced a protracted crisis in...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I highlight the ongoing issue of petrol stretching and the great distress this illegal activity is causing innocent motorists around the country who face serious financial consequences and the potential loss of their vehicle should they unwittingly purchase this contaminated fuel. The victims of this crime also face difficulties when they try to claim compensation under their insurance...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Compulsory Purchase Orders (25 Nov 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter on the Adjournment. As this is my first opportunity to formally do so, I congratulate her on being appointed as a Minister of State and wish her the best of luck in her portfolio. I know she will do a great job, as she has been doing since her appointment. I have been contacted by a number of farmers in Galway East who are concerned about...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Compulsory Purchase Orders (25 Nov 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for the response. As an avid cyclist I am delighted that there will be a greenway in Galway given that I spend much of my weekends on a bike trying to work off the calories I put on during my week here. I acknowledge the benefits of it to the local economy, as the Minister stated. All that is left to be said is to encourage the farming community to engage in...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: Given the previous submissions I have made in this House with regard to farm inspections, I note with interest that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is currently producing a charter of rights for farmers. I am disappointed that we have not been given an opportunity to make statements on this issue given that I, in particular, have brought up a number of issues that were...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I am calling for a debate on our financial regulations in the light of an issue brought to my attention by a constituent recently. A lady contacted me about the fact that her mortgage with Bank of Scotland had been sold to a private equity firm, Lone Star. The concerns she expressed were twofold. One relates to the fact that the transfer was made in breach of her mortgage agreement with...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Family Support Services (12 Nov 2014)

Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister of State. While I acknowledge the references to value for money and best practice it is a pity that all the expertise built up by Home-Start Athenry and the knowledge of the people it has served in recent years had not been integrated into the new service. A mistake may have been made and perhaps it is an issue the Department needs to look at.