Results 7,421-7,440 of 11,469 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: A number of us raised the issue of Seanad reform on the Order of Business yesterday in the light of the announcement of proposed changes to the university panels. I am delighted the Cabinet signed off on the proposal to amend legislation on the Seanad electorate for the university panels to extend the franchise to graduates of all third level institutions. Today's newspapers report that...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the reports in today’s newspapers that the Government will introduce legislation to extend the right to vote in Seanad elections for the university panel seats at least, and that we will see an expansion of the electorate for the six university seats to cover all third level graduates in the various institutions across the State.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: All of us on the university panel have always called for such an extension. When the Taoiseach was in the House speaking on Seanad reform in the aftermath of the referendum he gave a commitment in that regard. It is most welcome to see today's newspaper reports that the Government is now considering a Bill to extend the university franchise. It is a step on the way to ensuring we see...

Seanad: Civil Law (Missing Persons) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister and commend Senator Burke for taking the initiative in introducing this Bill. I am glad it will have the support of both the Minister and colleagues on all sides of the House. All of us recognise the need to take action on this issue. Indeed, Senator Burke referred to a number of the other initiatives that have already been taken in this area. I am a member of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: The Leader's announcement about tomorrow's business is unfortunate but it is most unusual that we would have to do this and it is important not to rush into taking Report Stage of the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 given the extensive amendments announced by the Minister yesterday and the views expressed on Committee Stage last night. There is a positive reason for this. We...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: On behalf of the Labour Party group I thank colleagues for their good wishes expressed to our friend and colleague, Senator Jimmy Harte, having sustained injuries on Friday night. It came as a terrible shock to all of us in the Labour Party group and I know to all Members in the House. We very much appreciate their thoughts, good wishes and co-operation at this time. We have been in touch...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Passenger Name Record Data: Motion (14 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: As the Minister said, I was present as a member of the joint committee on justice yesterday, as were other colleagues from this House, when we gave very comprehensive consideration to the motions before us. Indeed, we had received extensive advance briefings on those motions and we engaged with the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. The Minister of State was asked about matters such...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I would like to remind Members that a coffee morning is being held this morning in aid of the Philippines disaster relief effort from 11 a.m. to 12 noon today. I know everyone would want to support that in light of the terrible reports of the tragedy in the Philippines. I ask the Leader for a debate on the important issue of EU scrutiny and how it is conducted. Fianna Fáil Senators are...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I am trying to explain the process, because people want clarification. We had a full debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. We asked her what constituted passenger name record data, to what use it would be put and so forth. We scrutinised these measures. Some weeks ago, we had the Tánaiste in this House and he explained to us the process for scrutiny of EU matters.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I do not know where Senator Byrne is coming from with that.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: The point the Tánaiste made was that sectoral committees are now being provided with briefings and material to enable us to have informed debate on matters that come from the European Union that are within our competence and area of expertise. That is a useful and a most effective and efficient way to carry out scrutiny of EU matters. I agree the Seanad and the Dáil must continue...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: We, as Senators, need to decide which motions require that double scrutiny. There is no point in opposing every motion that returns from committee.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I am glad to hear that.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: This is also in the interest of Seanad reform. In the debate on Seanad reform, we all said the Seanad should have a greater role in scrutiny. However, let us be clear about our role. Where there is a better way to conduct scrutiny, through sectoral committees and spokespersons on areas of expertise - for example, in the justice and home affairs area - let us use the committees. Let us...

Seanad: Electricity Transmission Network: Motion (13 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of order, I hate to interrupt Senator Norris's very eloquent flow but I am concerned about his use of the term "electric wireless". I am not sure it is an accurate term. We need to be accurate when debating electricity.

Seanad: Electricity Transmission Network: Motion (13 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte. We now have an opportunity to debate this important issue of transmission lines and the more developed counter motion from the Government which speaks about transmission and distribution infrastructure and the need to ensure the provision of developed infrastructure. One must confess that transmission and distribution electricity infrastructure...