From the Seanad Chamber
“...one crucial pillar of the Good Friday agreement was the co-guaranteeing of human rights...will you, Mr Barnier, in your negotiations, seek to protect the Human Rights Act...it is also vital that established principles and policies in areas such as employment, equality and environment do not face a rollback in this process. We all know that a race to the bottom is one that nobody wins”
- Addressing the EU’s Chief Negotiator on Brexit, Mr Michel Barnier, in a joint sitting of the Seanad and Dáil, 11/05/2017
“I would like the Taoiseach to outline how he
sees the equality and gender-proofing aspects
of the budget being delivered, both in budget
2017 and in the future...The fact is that the
median earning income in Ireland is €28,500.
Half of all workers in Ireland are earning that
amount or less. They cannot be invisible... What
they need is real investment in wages that are
quality wages, work that is quality work, real
increases in pay and public services.”
- Addressing an Taoiseach, Enda Kenny
29/09/2016
“Care should be a quality area of employment.
It is potentially one of the largest and highest
density employment areas with a high ratio of
staff. The sector needs to be developed and
deepened.”
- Addressing the Minister Pat Breen 30/06/2016
“We must make not only our concerns but
our ideas heard on the importance of a social
Europe grounded in peace, participation and
inclusion.”
- Addressing Scottish First Minister, Nicola
Sturgeon 29/11/2017
Senator Higgins has made over 100
contributions to Seanad and committee
debate. To search debates by topic or date go
to oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie