Senator Alice-Mary Higgins joins environmental groups voicing strong opposition to the Heritage Bill 2016

Leinster House was abuzz with beekeepers from across Ireland voicing strong opposition while the Heritage Bill was being debated in the Seanad on Thursday March 2nd. Beekeepers dressed in their full regalia were joined by tiny bees, birds from Birdwatch Ireland and supporters of the Irish Wildlife Trust, An Taisce and the Hedgelaying Association. 

This marks the third time that the Heritage Bill has been debated at committee stage in the Seanad, meeting strong opposition on each occasion. The debate will resume in a few weeks and Senator Higgins will continue to strongly oppose this flawed Bill, particularly Section 8 which would extend burning and cutting of uplands and hedgerows right into March and August - nesting season for many birds and a crucial time for bees to gather the pollen they need to make it throughout winter. 

Importantly, it is clear also that this Bill is nothing to do with road safety, as has been claimed by the Minister. Section 70 of the Road Traffic Act already permits hedge-cutting at any time of the year where road safety is a concern.

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Government needs to act on concerns on Higher Education Authority Bill

The Higher Education Authority Bill will have a major impact on staff, students & society. I proposed over 100 amendments. Following strong criticism of use of guillotine at Committee stage, Report stage has been adjourned, meaning there is still chance to improve crucial aspects of Bill.

One of the key issues I raised was the importance of trade union representation from both professional & academic staff on governance boards as well as proper national strategies to challenge the serious problem of precarious low paid work within academia.

The proposed definition of student union in the Bill is not fit for purpose & based around recognition from Minister or governing authority rather then electoral mandate from students. Students union representatives from right across country have made it clear this needs to be fixed!

The Bill will give huge amount of power & discretion to Minister, including requirement for higher education institutions to comply with future policy docs of Government. Bill must be amended to ensure appropriate independence, transparency & autonomy for both HEA & individual institutions.

Another core aspect we sought to address was embedding equality, equity, access and participation into the legislation and creating legal requirements that both HEA & individual institutions policies are furthering & empowering access to & equity in our higher education system.

The Bill continues the practice of focusing entirely on private research & not looking to public/blue skies research or public-public partnerships for research. To address issues like climate, inequality and sustainable development we need a robust public research system

The references to sustainability & environment in the Bill are woefully outdated & inadequate, coming from a 1987 pre-Rio definition of “environmental development”. I sought to include the definition based on the SDGs with acknowledgement of historical responsibility & climate justice.

Following pressure from Senators, the debate has adjourned till September & there is time for Minister Harris to work constructively with us as legislators & with stakeholders to address these & other issues. The HEA Bill will underpin higher education for years to come, we need to get it right!


Failure to address glaring inequality on pensions in Budget 2018 is indefensible - Government must face up to its responsibilities towards older women

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins seeks special debate on gender and equality aspects of Budget 2018

Senator Higgins said “The failure to address this glaring inequality on pensions in Budget 2018 is indefensible, particularly given Government promises on gender and equality proofing of the budget. I am calling on Pascal Donohoe to allocate additional funds to address this before the Finance and Social Welfare Bills pass through the Oireachtas. Senator Higgins has also called for a special Seanad debate on gender and equality aspects of Budget 2018, in particular the failure to address the glaring pension inequality within the contributory state pension system.