Results 1-20 of 3,424 for speaker:Emer Higgins

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Industry (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Deputy for that kind invitation. I attended the Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford last year and it was fantastic. As the Ceann Comhairle will be aware, it was fantastic to see the town buzzing and to see so much activity and spin-off trading. I thank Deputy Lawlor for raising this important issue. Since the Covid pandemic, tourism has shown its resilience time and again and it has...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Industry (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I thank Deputy Lawlor for raising this important matter. My very first job after I graduated was working for Fáilte Ireland so I have been following these statistics with great interest. I am taking this matter on behalf of the relevant Minister. The latest CSO figures for overseas visitor numbers were published last Friday, as Deputy Lawlor said. These figures were specifically...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister for Transport has asked me to take it on his behalf. The Minister has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in respect of the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Road Acts and in line with the national development plan, NDP,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: The Deputy will be pleased to hear Laois did figure in funding this year. An allocation of €1.147 million has been provided to Laois County Council for national roads so far this year. That comprises €701,300 for capital protection and renewal and €445,949 for current protection and renewal. Approximately €502 million of Exchequer capital funding has been...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I can hear the Deputy's frustration loud and clear about the fact this issue has gone on for a long time. It has been raised by him, by Deputy McAuliffe and by others in this Chamber on multiple occasions. I am here to take this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education. Quite a lengthy response has been provided, but I will skip to the bit that is going to be of most interest to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: Go raibh maith agat, a Theachta. The Government absolutely values the Irish language. We have had a record level of investment in school buildings this year again. This will increase the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact will be felt in communities right across the country,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for local government who would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. It is a shame he was not here because were he here he could hear the passion with which the Deputy has spoken on behalf of his constituents. I thank him for bringing this important issue to the floor of the Dáil. The Deputy will...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I appreciate the Deputy’s frustration about the lack of information from a State body or a body working on the ground. Ultimately, however, there is good news. The upgrade of the existing water treatment plant is a very welcome development for the residents and businesses represented by the Deputy. Uisce Éireann has committed to holding an elected representative briefing to...

Diverting Young People from Criminal Activity: Statements (Resumed) (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Deputies for the opportunity to discuss efforts to divert young people from criminal offences and criminal activities. This is an issue of fundamental importance. It is very clear from the contributions both today and yesterday that this issue moves and impassions many Deputies across the House. All of us will agree that we must continue to provide opportunities for young...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I thank Deputy Farrell. The programme for Government includes a commitment to review the public procurement process to make it more transparent and to encourage greater participation by SMEs and other entities the Deputy has just spoken about. Working towards this aim and in the interests of setting out the strategic direction of public procurement for the next five years, my Department is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I have not seen the Deputy’s Bill.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I am absolutely happy to look at it and to sit down with the Deputy to discuss it. Data collection is a key issue of concern for me. I have tasked the Office of Government Procurement to look at how we can better collect those data. Looking right across the spectrum, from SMEs to social enterprises, it is important to consider how much is being tendered versus how much is actually used...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (3 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I am happy to speak to it about that matter. It is worth noting that the feedback I have been getting is that local authorities often source locally. That is really positive. We need to ensure that this is baked into our frameworks going forward to make sure we are being socially aware and that transparency, value for money and efficiency are top priorities for all procurement, whether...

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution: Value Added Tax (2 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: Is this the amendment?

Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: No.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution: Value Added Tax (2 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I move: (1)  THAT the rate of value-added tax chargeable on the supply of electricity provided for by section 46(1)(caa) of, and paragraph 17(2) of Schedule 3 to, the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 (No. 31 of 2010) and the supply of gas provided for by section 46(1)(caa) of, and paragraph 17(3) of Schedule 3 to, that Act, being 9 per cent until 30 April 2025, be extended until...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: International Protection (2 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I thank Deputy McGrath for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for equality, disability and youth, Norma Foley, who cannot be with us this morning. Ireland currently provides accommodation to approximately 33,000 people applying for international protection and has also welcomed more than 114,000 people from Ukraine since 2022. Our accommodation systems have...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: International Protection (2 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: With respect, I disagree. I do not believe that this is an attack on Tipperary or that the situation is in no man’s land. We have two Ministers engaging in this important priority area for Government. The relevant Minister for accommodation is the Minister, Norma Foley, who is the Minister for equality, disability, integration and youth, and I will pass the Deputy’s feedback...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (2 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: I thank Senator Boyhan for his question. If the House will indulge me, I would like to put on the record of Seanad Éireann my thanks to Senator Boyhan for his recent collaboration with officials of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform on legislation going through the Houses. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this very important topic...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (2 Apr 2025)

Emer Higgins: Senator Boyhan has made a really good point. To reiterate, the creation of the transport security force is a priority for the Government. As the Senator has said, it is important to note the introduction of the force is going to require the development of legislation which, as all of us in this House know, may take significant time. Nonetheless, the Government's commitment to delivering a...