Results 6,541-6,560 of 11,695 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I am standing in for the Leader, so I have asked one of my Labour Party colleagues to speak on behalf of the Labour Party today.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: Along with the Leader, and to support what he has said, I welcome Ms Vanessa Shih and the other members of the Taiwanese delegation who were seated in the Visitors' Gallery.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I know, but they were here earlier. I just wanted to put on record my own welcome for them.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Daly raised the issue of Longboat Quay. I agree with him and all of my other colleagues who raised the issue that this is an appalling situation for the 600 householders in 300 apartments who face, as others have said, a bill of what appears to be about €18,000 each. I know negotiations are ongoing. The residents have been reported today as being in close contact with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: -----which prevailed then but has been addressed since. Clearly, current laws are tighter on this issue. It is appalling, as others have said, that residents are faced with this potential liability. Matters have moved on. There are some reports that the Dublin Docklands Development Authority has paid €1 million for fire alarm remedial works, and some money has been paid out,...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: The plan is, as Senator O'Keeffe has said, building on recovery. As a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions, Senator O'Keeffe also mentioned the work of the Ombudsman and highlighted the fact that his annual report was published this week. I join with her in commending the work of the Ombudsman. She also mentioned that the IT system of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I think that debate has been sought before. I recall standing in for the Leader on previous dates when we were looking for a debate on pensions. While I will certainly renew the call for a debate on pensions, I recommend e-mailing the Minister if the Senator has a specific recommendation for the budget.

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I move:That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to accept the following measure:Council Decision (EU) 2015/1523 of 14...

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I join in the welcome to the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, and I congratulate him. I welcome the support expressed across the House for this motion. I am standing in for Senator Maurice Cummins so I am Acting Leader in proposing the motion. I know Senator Cummins very much welcomes the support too. I welcome the commitment shown by the Government undertaking to take 4,000 refugees...

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of order, I appreciate the Senator's sentiment but we did hear from the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality a very clear indication as to the plans that are being made.

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I move:That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to accept the following measure:Council Decision (EU) 2015/1601 of 22...

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Ivana Bacik: Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2015)

Ivana Bacik: First, on behalf of the Labour group, I thank the many colleagues from across the House who expressed their good wishes to Senator Harte on his retirement. I am aware of how much his family appreciated it, as did all members of the Labour group, but his family has specifically asked me to pass on their appreciation and to thank all Members again in this regard. Members will miss him in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2015)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Migrant Crisis: Discussion (30 Sep 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the witnesses for the presentations. They have given us a great deal more clarity around the proposals we have seen. In particular, it is helpful to hear the specific difference between resettlement of those who come from refugee camps in Lebanon and neighbouring countries to the war zones and whose refugee status is predetermined and relocation, which relates to the bulk of people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Migrant Crisis: Discussion (30 Sep 2015)

Ivana Bacik: That is very helpful. I should have said at the outset like Deputy Finian McGrath that all of us are horrified at the terrible plight in particular of refugees from Syria arriving in Italy and Greece and at the appalling journeys they have had to make and the dreadful personal tragedies we have seen. Arising from that, Mr. Kirrane has given us the idea that it will be months before we start...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Migrant Crisis: Discussion (30 Sep 2015)

Ivana Bacik: We will be liaising with the Italian and Greek authorities on this and I wonder what will be done for the refugees while they are in Italy and Greece awaiting decisions on relocation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Migrant Crisis: Discussion (30 Sep 2015)

Ivana Bacik: It seems a key point to keep people in Greece or Italy on the understanding that they may be relocated elsewhere rather than having to walk on through other countries like Serbia. My other question is for the commissioner, Mr. Costello. In terms of the capacity within his office to determine these claims quickly when people arrive, will additional staff be required? The commissioner said...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Migrant Crisis: Discussion (30 Sep 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the witnesses for the clarification they have given us. In general, people have greatly welcomed the announcement that 4,000 refugees will come here on the resettlement programmes. I am just wondering about family reunification. There is such immense goodwill and I know that under the Syrian humanitarian admission programme currently in operation, only one in three of those who...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome strongly today's announcement of a six-year capital investment plan that will extend from 2016 to 2021. I do not think there is any way to portray this as anything other than good news, no matter how the Opposition may try. A significant investment of €27 billion will be made over a six-year period. We are seeing really positive plans under a whole range of headings. In...