Results 1-20 of 8,235 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Situation in Gaza: Statements (29 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister, Deputy Harris, for what I believe is genuine from him in terms of a commitment to moving forward, although we will, with others, and I see the Chair of the foreign affairs committee here also, be looking to ensure we do not see a dilution of the occupied territories Bill and that we see its full meaning, impact and compliance with international law reflected. We also...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It just strikes me that the phrase we have been hearing consistently is that it does not impact neutrality, but from a very narrow definition of neutrality, which, as I understand, seems to be simply that we would not join an international organisation we are not already members of. I do not think that is the understanding of neutrality that many would have. I was surprised by the phrase...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: With a UN mandate, but a NATO-led mission without a UN mandate would be possible under this.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: And a "coalition of the willing", such as we have seen in the past, could be-----

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: My time is tight.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I suppose that is where we are looking because we do not see a legal framework in the Bill. Ms Maguire mentioned strengthening international security. As regards the enforcement and that question of a legal framework, if any individual is concerned that action is taking place in breach of international law, what is it within the Bill that will allow them to take action on it? How is it...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This is just a final thing. We know with a UN mission that there is a process in terms of a special committee on peacekeeping operations that monitors. There is an assessment beforehand. What is the equivalent of that in this scenario?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Or a motion of the General Assembly.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: For accuracy, a General Assembly resolution satisfies our interpretation.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am stressing this for accuracy.

Seanad: Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill 2025: Second Stage (28 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This is a very welcome and important Bill. I regret that the Government seems to be looking for a timed amendment in respect of it. Frankly, this is an issue on which we have waited too long. It has dragged on for far too long. In 2017, members of the Civil Engagement Group including myself, Senator Lynn Ruane and the then Senator Grace O'Sullivan from the Green Party, and others, brought...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Developments in the Economy in the Year to Date: Minister for Finance (28 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for the overview he has provided. Regarding the medium-term fiscal plan, it came in almost a lacuna in that the first plan came in during the election period with the knowledge that it would be reviewed by an incoming Government. As a result of the timing of when this plan, which Ireland is sending to Europe as our medium-term fiscal picture, appeared, there was very...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Developments in the Economy in the Year to Date: Minister for Finance (28 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Minister will be aware that the previous finance committee gave substantial submissions regarding the formation of the new fiscal rules at EU level, some of which may be relevant in terms of the question of assumptions, for example, the issue of preventative expenditure and the idea within our fiscal assumptions that we identify areas whereby early expenditure will have a preventative...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Developments in the Economy in the Year to Date: Minister for Finance (28 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The ICJ opinion from July 2024 is very clear in its language. It talks about members states' obligation to take steps to prevent trade or investment in the illegally occupied territories. The language is extremely clear. It is not an encouragement. It is the highest level of interpretation of binding international law. What are the plans to ensure that Ireland has fully prevented and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Developments in the Economy in the Year to Date: Minister for Finance (28 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I profoundly disagree. I believe we have seen the legacy of decades of waiting for an EU shift in position, which has led to a culture of impunity and the non-application of international law in respect of Israel. We are only now, after two months of starvation, seeing a shift. There are still nine EU countries that are not even considering a review regarding human rights under the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Developments in the Economy in the Year to Date: Minister for Finance (28 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Just for clarity, I was looking to the tax relief that we give for selling, rather than a restriction on selling.

Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (27 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I was elected in 2016. Previous to that, my background is in civil society. I worked with the National Women's Council of Ireland and the European Women’s Lobby. I come from that side of things. I have been interested in gender equality issues internationally. I also worked with Trócaire with a focus on peacebuilding and climate justice issues. Those are my work backgrounds....

Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (27 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I congratulate the Minister of State. We took part in many debates previously in the Seanad so I am delighted to see him in this role. I will pick up on a couple of points about the financing for development event in Madrid. As has been identified, the cuts in USAID are very substantial. We are also seeing substantial cuts from our EU colleagues. These are significant cuts. I agree with...

Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (27 May 2025)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Sorry, Chair, I realise that I left out one crucial question. Will the Minister of State comment on what the timeline is after the review, of a suspension of the agreement, in terms of the time from review to suspension, if there is a report finding from the External Action Service? The Minister of State mentioned the review will be under way. This is in relation to Gaza.