Senator Alice-Mary Higgins speaking on the escaliting violence in Gaza and the Occupied Territories Bill

17 May 2021

"Ireland can and must do more on human rights in Palestine and Israel. If the Irish Government won’t publish the Attorney General's advice being used to justify blocking our Occupied Territories Bill then he should be ready to explain it AND to outline specific national, EU & UN actions Ireland will take."

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The 'low-ball' public procurement model is broken and needs reform

24 March 2021

Read my op-ed in The Journal here - https://www.thejournal.ie/read...

IN 2019, IRELAND spent €12 billion on contracts for goods, services and construction. This figure is set to rise considerably in the coming years as €116 billion in major capital works projects are rolled out under the National Development Plan.

The public has a right to expect that when money is spent on their behalf, it is spent in a way that delivers the best results. That requires a carefully thought-through approach to the quality of standards and performance in areas like sustainability, social impact, decent employment and design.

Senator Higgins calls for greater focus on smart, sustainable and inclusive growth as part of European semester process

19 February 2019

Senator Higgins attended European Parliamentary Week as part of an Irish parliamentary delegation and contribute to discussions relating to the workplan for the European Parliament known as the European semester process.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins welcomes decision not to permit hedge-cutting in August and calls on Minister Madigan to review the Heritage Act and to protect biodiversity

16 July 2019

The decision by the Minister not to extend hedge-cutting into August this year is an important recognition of the growing crisis in biodiversity in Ireland and worldwide.
Senator Higgins said in response to today’s announcement, “I am glad to see Minister Madigan has apparently given new consideration to the serious concerns expressed by myself and others during the extensive Seanad Debate in the Heritage Bill and has removed the threat of August cutting from the habitats which our insects, birds, bees rely on. The essential next step must be to review this flawed legislation and ensure that biodiversity is protected not just this year but every year.”