Budget 2019 must avoid the cost of not investing in public services
The six members of the Civil Engagement Group in Seanad Éireann have outlined their concerns in advance of Budget 2019, highlighting the cost of not investing in public services.
Senator Higgins wins “significantly improvement” to the Data Sharing and Governance Bill in Seanad debate
Speaking after today’s debate in the Seanad Senator Higgins said, “The Data Sharing Bill will impact on how everyone’s personal data is shared between public bodies. It is essential that we get this piece of legislation right and I welcome the progress that the Minister and his Department have made since our robust debate at committee stage.”
Data Sharing and Governance Bill returns to the Seanad
The Data Sharing and Governance Bill returns to the Seanad this week with a commitment from the Minister to address issues of privacy, transparency and accountability raised by Senator Higgins earlier in the process.
Senators Alice-Mary Higgins and Lynn Ruane join Barnardos, One Family and SPARK today to call on the Government to deliver for lone parents in Budget 2019.
At a press conference in Dublin today, Senators Higgins and Ruane joined campaigners from Barnardos, One Family and Spark to call on the Government to deliver for lone parents in Budget 2019 in key areas of housing, social welfare and access to employment and education.
Senator Higgins urges Conference of Western Attorneys General to aim high on data protection and online regulation.
Independent Senator, Alice-Mary Higgins spoke at the Conference of Western Attorneys Generals in New Mexico this week about data protection, privacy and online regulation in Europe and Ireland. The Senator was speaking at the invitation of the Conference which brings together the highest law officials from a number of US States.
First meeting of the Oireachtas Neutrality, Peace and Disarmament takes place
The inaugural meeting of the Oireachtas Neutrality, Peace and Disarmament group took place in Leinster House today (4/7/18) and was attended by independent and cross-party TDs and Senators.
The initial meeting was chaired by independent Senator Alice-Mary Higgins and addressed by Roger Cole, Ed Horgan and Frank Keoghan of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance.
Senator Higgins welcomes report on Gender Budgeting
Senator Higgins welcomes the launch of the Report on Gender Budgeting from the Committee on Budgetary Oversight. The report contains several important recommendations including that the annual budget statement should be accompanied by an equality budget statement - something which Senator Higgins has long called for.
Welcoming Women from Direct Provision Centres into Leinster House
I was recently very pleased to welcome a group of women from the Mosney direct provision centre to Leinster House. The women had completed a communications skills development course and I had the pleasure of presenting them with their completion certificates.
Senator Alice-Mary Higgins welcomes Google’s announcement on pausing of all referendum advertising from tomorrow until after 25th May
Speaking today Senator Higgins said, “I very much welcome the announcement made by Google at midday that they will be pausing all advertising relating to the upcoming referendum on the Eighth Amendment from tomorrow.