Results 7,561-7,580 of 11,695 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (12 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: On behalf of the Labour Party group in the Seanad, I welcome to the Chamber the family of late Senator Tom Fitzgerald. I welcome, in particular, his wife Bridie, his children and other members of his family. Senators Cummins and Ó Murchú spoke very eloquently about the career of former Senator Fitzgerald. He was a Senator, for Fianna Fáil, for a total of 13 years. He once...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Leader for responding yesterday to my call and that of many colleagues for a debate on the bugging allegations in the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. A little more information has been forthcoming since we spoke yesterday on the Order of Business, but it is important that we wait to see what is stated today before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I agree, but the critical question is whether bugging was carried out and, if so, by whom and for what purpose. That is the sinister question. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Transparency International and other groups have expressed grave concern about the reports. We only have reports at this stage; there is very little clarity as to what exactly went on. The Garda...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: -----on the basis that it is not inclusive of gay people or any banner supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, LGBT, rights. In that regard, she is following the example of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio who has taken a similar stance. All of our Ministers should consider taking the same stance.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Vaguely.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I ask the Leader for a debate on the revelations that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, has been the victim of apparent surveillance. In the context of the story that first was broken in The Sunday Times last Sunday, it would be a good idea for Members to have a debate once they have a little more clarity as to what exactly has occurred. Certainly, it is a matter of...

Seanad: Homelessness Strategy: Motion (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O’Sullivan, to the House. I thank her for coming to deal with the motion on homelessness. I commend my colleague, Senator Aideen Hayden, who drafted and proposed the motion. I commend her on her great work with Threshold on the issue of homelessness and housing policy. Some people from Threshold are in the Visitors Gallery. I acknowledge the...

Seanad: Standing Orders: Motion (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am pleased to have an opportunity to debate these draft Standing Orders. As colleagues will be aware, we had a full debate when the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill came before the House. Senator Susan O'Keeffe spoke for the Labour Party group on that occasion and we had a full debate on the mechanisms for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Small Claims and Payment Procedures: Motion (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Minister for setting this out clearly. All of us recognise the desirability of the changes. Like many of us, I am concerned about the small number who have taken up the EU small claims procedure in Ireland. Only 44 such cases came before Dublin District Court last year and we do not know what types of cases are involved. Presumably, the low usage of the regulation is not...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of order I have to object to that. There is no such thing as a gay ideological movement.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Walsh is making himself ridiculous.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I am sure others will want to join me in commiserating with everyone who has been affected by the appalling weather during the past 24 hours. The pictures from Cork and other places that were affected are extremely dramatic. ESB crews have been out in all weathers trying to restore power and many householders and business owners have been trying to protect their properties from the...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: -----being disposed of by the Dáil and referred to the Seanad. The lack of business coming through from the Lower House at present is extremely frustrating for the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: First, I wish our colleague, Senator Feargal Quinn, well. I understand today marks an important anniversary in that it is his 21st year in the Seanad. I know all of us will want to join in those good wishes to him. I also support the call made by my colleague, Senator Averil Power, on Thursday for a debate in the wake of the reports of the RTE payout to the Iona Institute and other named...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Walsh said there were comments made that were defamatory but-----

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: -----that is a matter of view, not an established view.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: There has been no ruling on the nature of the comments.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: On behalf of the Labour Party group I wish to be associated with the sympathy extended to the family of the late John Carty, the former Senator and Member of the other House. I compliment Senator Katherine Zappone on last night's debate on Seanad reform which was prompted by the motion tabled by the Senator and her colleagues. It was helpful for all of us to hear from the Minister of State,...