Senator Alice-Mary Higgins calls for peace-building and dialogue in Catalonia

4 October 2017

After the police violence witnessed on October 1st in Catalonia over the contested independence referendum, I spoke in the Seanad about the dangers of authoritarianism and the need for Ireland to step up and play it's role as a peace-building nation.

The Government must actively urge the EU to engage in mediation in the region. Europe urgently needs to move beyond the securitisation agenda which has dominated in recent years and re-invest in the work of peace-building, social infrastructure, democracy and dialogue.

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The Civil Engagement Group introduce bill to ban trade with illegal settlements

1 February 2018

On Tuesday January 30th, the Civil Engagement Group brought the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill to the Seanad which sought to ban trade in goods and services from illegal settlements in occupied territories. While Minister Coveney expressed his commitment to the aims of the bill but he was unwilling to support it at this time. As a result, we agreed to adjourn the debate until July when we will push for a vote.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon addresses the Seanad

3 December 2016

I was honoured to address the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon on behalf of the Civil Engagement Group following her remarkable speech in the Seanad.

Senator Higgins, Senator Lynn Ruane and others have called on parties in Government formation talks to take concrete steps to address racism in Ireland

7 June 2020

We all need to be in solidarity with those taking a stand against racism right now in the United States. We also need to face up to and challenge racism here in Ireland. Myself, Senator Lynn Ruane and Senator Frances Black have sent a letter co-signed by 20 other members of the Oireachtas to the leaders of the three parties currently in Government formation talks calling on them resolutely reject racist policy and rhetoric and commit to real action on inclusion and equality. ... We believe the next programme for government must; * Legislate against Hate Crime * End Direct Provision * Legislate to reverse impact of 27th amendment and stop the deportation of Irish born children * Enact our Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill * Re-establish a National Anti-Racism Body.

It is also vital that those who have sought to exploit inflammatory and racist language for perceived political or electoral advantage are not given any part in government.