Results 7,021-7,040 of 11,695 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Commemoration Planning: Statements (13 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: We were commemorating the 1916 Rising in a way that seemed almost to celebrate the military and weapons. It made me uncomfortable. For many of us who wish to attend the parade with families and children, it would be appropriate if there were some aspect of the parade that recognised, for example, the role of women. Senator Mac Conghail spoke about the role of women, the role of marginalised...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I have given a very full response on it. Senator Jim Walsh called on the Minister for Finance to come to the House in order that we might have a very broad debate with him. The Senator has raised a different issue about NAMA and the moneys to be recouped by the taxpayer from its activities. The finance committee may well have addressed this issue already. If not, we can seek to have the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Paschal Mooney referred to the talks on junior cycle reform between the teacher unions and the Minister for Education and Skills. It is a matter of regret to us all that those talks have not achieved a resolution of the differences of opinion on this issue. I agree with Senator Gerard Craughwell that this is not the end of the matter; there is an ongoing process on engagement. To...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: In countries like Scotland, Finland, Australia and New Zealand, where we see high-performing school systems, state examinations at the end of junior cycle have been either abolished or replaced with the type of sensible combination of examinations and course work the Minister is proposing. What is envisaged now is different from what was originally proposed. Introduction of the previous...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I am setting out the actual nature of the reforms that are being proposed. Under the system proposed by the Minister, 60% of marks in the junior cycle will be allocated on the basis of an examination at the end of third year. In other words, the majority of marks will still be given on the basis of an examination that will continue to be set and marked by the State Examinations Commission,...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: To be fair, this issue was raised by several colleagues and is a matter of genuine concern.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: This House has a strong record on education, with six Senators representing university constituencies.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: We have had a debate in this House on junior cycle reforms and it would be useful to have another one in view of the level of interest.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I was seeking to respond to all of the points raised by colleagues in this regard, not all of which corresponded with what Senator Mooney said.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: To respond specifically to Senator Mooney's question, of course I will appeal to the unions and the Minister to work together. My intention in responding was to avoid repeating myself and ensure I covered all the different points raised by Members. Senator Mooney also referred to the recent judgment of the European Court of Justice in favour of the German Government. It does seem like a...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on commemoration planning, to be taken at 12.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes.

Seanad: Suicide and Mental Health: Statements (11 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: We are happy to let him in.

Seanad: Suicide and Mental Health: Statements (11 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I propose to share time with Senator Susan O'Keeffe. I welcome the Minister of State and pay tribute to her personal commitment on these issues - mental health and suicide prevention. I welcome the positive points made in her contribution, particularly on the project to replace the Central Mental Hospital. We know about its highly vulnerable population of prisoners and the high number of...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I thought it was particularly appropriate today on remembrance day that we mark the opening of the Seanad business, as we do every day at the commencement of business, with a minute of silence. I am aware that there has been some debate about this in the other House, as there is only a prayer there and no formal acknowledgement of the presence in the Chamber of persons of faiths other than...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: He is ready to serve.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I also extend a welcome to delegates form the web summit here today. For next year's web summit, we might extend an invitation to delegates more generally to come into the Seanad, given that during the week we very much welcomed the fact the summit is taking place and is being attended by more than 20,000 delegates. We have commended the organisers. It is very good to see even a small...

Seanad: Penal Reform: Motion (5 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Penal Reform: Motion (5 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Minister of State for his very comprehensive reply. I thank all of my colleagues who spoke, namely, Senators Hayden, O'Donovan, Conway, van Turnhout, O'Keeffe, Ó Clochartaigh, Mullins and Mooney. They made some very important points during the course of the debate, and in particular I thank Senator Hayden for seconding the motion and referring to issues on overcrowding and...

Seanad: Penal Reform: Motion (5 Nov 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I move: "That Seanad Éireann - - notes the publication in March 2013 of the Report on Penal Reform by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality; - notes further the publication by the Minister for Justice and Equality in September 2014 of the Strategic Review of Penal Policy; and - calls on the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline her proposals for reform of...