Senator Alice-Mary Higgins speaking on Order of Business about the rushing of legislation through the Seanad.

25 September 2020

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins speaking on Order of Business in the Seanad. Senator Higgins spoke out against the rushed conduction of the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020 through the Oireachtas, particularly highlighting how the taking of Committee and Report Stage of the Bill together and having an amendment deadline for TD's before the Seanad has debated the Bill undermines due process and legislative scrutiny.

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Senator Alice-Mary Higgins opposes President Trump’s travel ban

5 February 2017

In response to President Trump’s executive order banning travel to the U.S.A. from seven Muslim-majority countries, Senator Higgins joined others in the Seanad in raising grave concerns about its legal and moral implications. She highlighted the need for urgent review of the preclearance agreement in effect at Irish airports to ensure Irish and international laws are upheld under the ban.

A strong voice for Climate for Seanad 2020

16 March 2020

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins has been an activist on climate change for over a decade and a consistent voice calling for action in the Seanad and as a member of the Oireachtas Climate Action committee.

She has been a leading voice calling for protection of hedgerows and peatlands, for investment in cycling and sustainable transport, for marine protections, for accountability for corporations, for fossil fuel divestment, for commitment to multilateral targets and processes and for a just transition.

Senator Higgins highlights inequalities in education arising from COVID-19

21 May 2020

Over the last number of weeks, I have been corresponding with the Minister for Education and Skills on issues raised by Covid 19 at every level of our education system. This crisis has deepened inequalities already faced by many students, I have called for particular action on the difficulties faced by students in direct provision. I have also pressed for a ‘no detriment’ policy and policies that ensure real opportunity and choice for all leaving cert students. In a time of emergency we cannot allow vulnerable communities to be left behind - I have also highlighted the challenges faced by Ireland’s research sector and called for more flexible and ambitious funding across science and the humanities, including more public-public research. The collective challenges we will face in terms of society, culture, economy and environment over the coming months and years will require research of many different kinds. The Irish Research Council funding for research on the Sustainable Development Goals is one example of a project which could and should be scaled up as we try to ensure future resilience and sustainability. Education can and must be an accessible and enriching social good.

Lastly, as part of the wider reimagining of our public spaces, I have called for an investment in better cycling and pedestrian infrastructure around our schools to ensure that safe and sustainable transport is an option for more families next September.