Results 161-180 of 7,254 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will share time with Senator Ruane. I commend Senator Grace O’Sullivan’s passion for, and deep knowledge of, marine ecology and environmental concerns. She made this a priority as soon as she entered the Oireachtas. It entered the Order Paper some considerable time ago. There has been immense co-operation from our group with the Government in discussing when it might be...

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Amendments would be possible.

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We should move from point B and debate everything at point C.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for his willingness to engage with this constructive amendment. I think it has been constructively taken. The amendment is clearly designed to deal with the concerns we raised earlier in regard to speculation, ensuring that where speedy planning permission has been granted, we do not see a significant number of applications being granted and then house building being...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: That is greatly appreciated.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would like to speak briefly in support of the amendments and join Senator Colette Kelleher in giving a sense of from where they are coming. We spoke earlier about strategic housing development and strategic planning. Demographic planning must play a vital role in that strategy as we move forward, given that 18% of citizens will have a disability at some point in their lives. We should...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Will the Minister provide clarification on one of the other amendments? I appreciate the Minister's points. There may be legislation but enforcement and inspection after the fact is an issue. This is an opportunity to provide enforcement and it is important that a signal be sent. Will the Minister comment on our amendment No. 15 to section 9? The Minister may argue the obligations are on...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Is there going to be an assessment of housing need in particular areas?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Consideration should be given to the number of people with disabilities living in an area and their housing needs. If we are bypassing some of the local authority considerations, it is crucial that An Bord Pleanála has this knowledge, namely, some sense of housing needs. That is a planning issue, not regulation. If there is a large number of older people in a particular area, for...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It involves planning for communities.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: If the Government ratifies the UN Convention Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which it said it would, it will apply across all public bodies.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 9:In page 9, after line 40, to insert the following:“(i) considerations, related to sustainable development, universal design and accessibility to services as set out in section 52 of the Disability Act 2005.”. I will withdraw the amendment but I reserve the right to reintroduce it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have a number of specific questions which I hope will clarify issues for me.I appreciate that I am not an expert in this particular aspect of it, not having come directly from a local authority background. The consultation process should be publicly accessible. To what extent would the report from these consultations be available to the public or to what extent would the public have...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: On page 12.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I apologise. We have moved past the issue I was concerned about. The debate moved fast.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: My concern is about the provision in section 6(10) that "The Board may, at its absolute discretion, consult with any person who may, in the opinion of the Board, have information which is relevant for the purposes of consultations". I apologise. I know that it has happened that councillors have raised legitimate concerns about developments but the chief executives have met with others. I...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be brief. As some of my colleagues who co-signed the amendment are not present to support it, I want to indicate our support for it. It is a constructive amendment. My concern - it is important that this be understood - related to the one-way dynamic of briefing. As it has been described, however, if the briefing is going to take place at a full council meeting, there will be an...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Nicola Sturgeon (29 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: On behalf of the Civil Engagement group, I thank the Scottish First Minister for her visit to the House and for her inspiring speech. There is a long and interwoven history between Scotland and Ireland - in the migrations of our people, in the constant crossing of our seas and in the overlapping of our myths, stories, music and language. The vibrant exchange of ideas has always been part of...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I welcome the Minister to the House. I will not be going through this section by section. I know we will have that opportunity on Committee Stage. There are some very positive steps in this Bill and it is important to acknowledge them. The movement with regard to jobseeker's allowance for the under 25s, while it does not go far enough in fully restoring their payments, is important....

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Alice-Mary Higgins: If I speak on this, will I be able to speak later on other amendments?