Results 141-160 of 10,689 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: Certain contributors have railed at length about the youth of today but I do not believe they are any more prone to excessive drinking than the youth of other generations. There always has been alcohol abuse, among all age groups, and it was a much more serious problem before drink driving legislation was enacted. Most Members will recognise that younger people are more likely not to drink...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: The last contribution sounded like a request to the Leader for a debate on interruptions, which would perhaps be unusual. I echo the words of other Senators in calling for clarity on the cutbacks proposed by the Government. It is adding insult to injury to suggest serious cutbacks will be made while the House will be in recess for the summer and not tell Members the exact nature of those...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: In that context, will the Leader consider a debate on violence against women and children early in the next session. One criminal justice case that received national attention in recent weeks, of which we are all very aware, concerned issues within family relationships. The high profile of the case should not detract from the fact that the majority of cases of domestic violence or violence...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I echo the remarks of Senator Norris. Regarding the amendment groupings just distributed, I have proposed amendment No. 9. I have been told it is proposed to be grouped with amendment No. 8 and amendment No. 8a, which I have not yet received.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: Along with several colleagues, I have previously raised the matter of the process by which this Bill is brought before the House, which is not only a matter for the Seanad but for the process as a whole. The Government is seeking to rush the Bill through the House on the last sitting day before the recess. The Dáil will not be in a position to deal with the Bill if it is forwarded. I...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: Like Senator Alex White, I will respond to the Minister of State's point that Senators on this side are seeking to delay the Bill and do not have concerns about the problems associated with alcohol abuse. As many of us stated during the Second Stage debate yesterday, while we are very concerned about these problems, we do not believe the Bill is an effective means of tackling them. On the...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: While I do not wish to prolong the debate on the amendment, in the interests of fairness I must respond to the Minister of State's comments which misinterpreted what I said. I did not say regulations on the advertising, sale and supply of alcohol do not have an impact on consumption. Clearly, such regulations have an impact and I have argued in the House that the Government should restrict...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I am replying to comments made by the Minister of State, who suggested that people who tabled amendments seeking longer opening times had somehow done so at the behest of lobbyists or vested interests. I take exception to that assertion. The one vested interest group to which the Minister of State did not refer is that which comprises consumers. I have attended nightclubs and bars — and...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of information, I agree with the Minister of State that is an important issue, but it is addressed in section 16, which permits the Minister to make regulations prohibiting or restricting licensees from selling intoxicating liquor at a reduced price. I support that and believe it is a sensible and moderate approach. It does not ban below cost selling, but it imposes restrictions...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I too support Senator Regan's amendment. The present system of nightclubs operating under the guise of theatre licences is inappropriate and it is time that we clarified the law by regulating them properly. Some of us frequent nightclubs.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: We do not do so every night of the week. It is reasonable that people should be able to frequent nightclubs which stay open later than pubs. A system of sequential closing should be introduced because public safety is a real concern when large numbers of people spill out on to the streets at any one time. Difficulties arise in terms of public transport and safety for young people who walk...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: As Senator White has said, this amendment is not just about public order but about public policy, and not just public policy as it relates to the consumption of intoxicating liquor but as it relates to socialising and social culture generally. Thus, it has a considerable impact. I may have sounded frivolous earlier when I mentioned dancing and so on, but it is a serious matter. In order to...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: The Minister of State went to the wrong club.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: While this issue already has been debated at some length during the discussion on amendment No. 12a, I also support this amendment because it is important to have a system of sequential closing. Clearly, this would address the problems associated with the current system in which large numbers of people are disgorged onto the streets at the same time. However, a more comprehensive reform is...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: We are concerned. We are not speaking for the nightclub industry.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I support Senator Norris's amendment, which is in keeping with the spirit of the legislation in its positive sense. It seeks to achieve a proper regulation of premises selling alcohol, which is what we are all seeking to do. We may disagree on how best that regulation would be achieved and the particular issues around restrictions, opening times and so on. We are all in favour of proper...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I support Senator Regan's amendment and concur with Senator Quinn's comments. In essence, Senator Regan seeks to do what the Minister has promised to do in any case. It is another unfortunate consequence of the decision to rush through the legislation that the Government's amendment does not reflect the reality of what the Minister has agreed, whereas Senator Regan's amendment, which I...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: That is agreed, although I will address each of the amendments separately. Amendments Nos. 8 and 8a are similar in their effect but amendment No. 9 is rather different. I am happy to discuss them together but it is clear that they will have to be considered separately.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: That is fine.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: It is unfortunate that the legislation is being rushed in this way. The confusion surrounding the grouping of amendments and the way in which the procedure relating to them has been operated is most unfortunate. We would have liked more time in which to deal with these amendments.