Results 7,321-7,340 of 11,695 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Jun 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I join with the Cathaoirleach and other Members in welcoming our colleagues from Mozambique. They are very welcome to the House. In respect of the Committee of Selection meeting tonight, I am sure the Leader will respond to Senator O'Brien. As leader of the Labour Party group, I am delighted that we are nominating Senator Susan O'Keeffe, who has unparalleled experience as an investigative...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I agree with Senator O’Brien that the cost of various commissions of inquiry is a matter of concern but I have already acknowledged that a previous Government established a much better model of inquiry. I think Michael McDowell was the Minister for Justice and Equality who, in 2004, established the Commissions of Investigation Act, which has been a dramatic improvement on the very...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Fennelly commission of inquiry is charged with investigating a practice that apparently went on for some three decades in Garda stations in this State, the recording of telephone conversations.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I listened with courtesy to what Senator O’Brien said. The substance of the Fennelly commission is this practice of recording telephone conversations. It is appropriate to have a commission of investigation-----

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: This practice went on for three decades under the regimes of a range of Governments. It is certainly true that the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality sought, and it was agreed, that the terms of reference would also include the events surrounding the departure of the former Garda Commissioner.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I simply cannot make a point because I am being constantly interrupted.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The members of the committee asked the Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality last night the questions which it was agreed were within its remit and powers.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The meeting lasted three hours. I could only attend the end of it because it clashed with another meeting but it seemed to me there was a reluctance to answer. That is for sure. The Fennelly commission will have the appropriate powers of compellability and fact-finding and I hope full answers on those matters will be given there. The committee also had a two and a half hour hearing with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Would it be helpful to have that in legislation or does it require statutory underpinning?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: At our meeting with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission two weeks ago, I asked members of GSOC whether the three-person structure in place here has any disadvantages when compared to the model for the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. Should we consider having a one-person Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission in the context of the overall reform of GSOC? As the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Deputy Anne Ferris asked me to put a question to the acting Garda Commissioner. I direct it also at Mr. Brady and Baroness O'Loan. The Minister has given a commitment to appoint a new Garda Commissioner through an open competition. This decision has been welcomed by everyone. Should this appointment be deferred until the establishment of the independent policing authority given that the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It is to be established by the end of the year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I apologise for arriving late. We greatly value the insights we have gained from the witnesses. I wish to address a question to the acting Garda Commissioner and to Baroness O'Loan, and I have a general question. At the last set of hearings I asked about the Garda whistleblowers charter. Before the departure of Commissioner Callinan, I had written to him requesting a copy. The AGSI,...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Leader will, of course, respond to Senator O'Brien's comments about the Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality but, as a member of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, before which the Secretary General, Mr. Purcell, will appear at 5 p.m., I advise the House that the committee has corresponded with Mr. Purcell to tell him it is reserving the right to...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Unfortunately, I cannot predict how the answers will go. Clearly it is within the right of any witness not to answer questions. We have seen it happen previously in Oireachtas committees that witness did not answer questions or did not answer them adequately. One cannot predict what answers will be given, but certainly the committee has expressly reserved that right. I support the calls...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I am sorry. We can go into this level of detail at Committee Stage. As I stated, Parts 2 and 4 are hugely important. In Part 2, there have been important amendments made which have been welcomed by civil liberties groups, particularly in regard to the negative inferences. As a former defence practitioner, I do not like these provisions around the drawing of negative inferences. I am glad...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, to the House. This is our first opportunity to welcome her here as Minister for Justice and Equality. We are all delighted that she has the portfolio, particularly me having worked with her in this House under the previous Government. I very much look forward to working with her in the future. I have already paid tribute to her predecessor, Deputy...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I join with Senator Darragh O'Brien in commending all of those who stood as candidates in the local and European elections and congratulate all of those candidates who were successful and commiserate with all of those who were defeated. I would agree with him that the way in which the counts have played out has shown again the need for a review of the system of counting votes. I would agree...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Under party rules, Senators are not eligible.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It is time also for renewal of party policy and for a review of our performance more generally, not merely for a change of leadership. That is also something that is universally acknowledged. It is important the business of government goes on and that we do not see anyone feeling that this is a time that the Government is in any way a lame duck as a result of this. We are going to continue...