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Senator Alice-Mary Higgins introduces Bill to temporarily halt deportations

Both the Minister and the Taoiseach yesterday responded to our Deportation Moratorium (COVID-19) Bill 2020 by announcing a "stay" on deportations during the public health emergency except in circumstances such as "a threat to national security". They have also committed to pause and review issuing deportation orders at this time.

Myself, Senator Lynn Ruane, Senator Frances Black and Senator Eileen Flynn introduced the Bill because 469 deportation letters have been issued since March, causing alarm and distress not only to the individuals who receive them but also to their communities, friends and colleagues. 
While the Government would not formally accept our legal prohibition, the shift in policy they have offered is very welcome. We will be following up to ensure that this assurance genuinely reaches the cases already affected and engage with the Minister around the potential revoking of some of the orders.

The UN Network on Migration has called on all countries to "suspend forced returns during the pandemic in order to protect the health of migrants and communities and uphold human rights" they noted that "forced returns can intensify the public health risk for everyone".
https://www.rte.ie/.../1183433-ireland-deportation-covid/

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins speaking on the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes Bill

In the Seanad, Senator Higgins spoke at length at Committee Stage against the most harmful provisions contained in this Bill. She argued that it undermines the ability of adoptees and surviviors of institutional abuse to access justice.

Specifically at this point of the debate the Senator urged the Minister and other Senators to ensure that the rights of the individual to have their experiences acknowledged is essential if there is to be any form of justice for adoptees and survivors.

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

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.

Senator Higgins speaking on the Financial Provisions (COVID-19) Bill

Senator Higgins proposed a number of amendments to the legislation ratifying the Pan-European Guarantee Fund aimed at increasing the monies available to our public sector companies and national and social infrastructure. Senator Higgins also spoke of the need to ensure transparency of EU institutions and to be cognisant of our responsibility to acheive the Sustainable Development Goals, when planning recovery funds such as these.