Results 7,581-7,600 of 11,695 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: No.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Community Courts System: Discussion (29 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I apologise for my late attendance. Unfortunately, I had to lead for my grouping in the Seanad on a debate. I appreciate, as do all the members, all the witnesses coming here to speak with us about this. This is an issue about which I feel very strongly, as do the Chairman and Vice Chairman, who have been lyrical and eloquent about the benefits of the community courts structure, having...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (29 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: He has a track record at it.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (29 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Paul Kehoe, and commend Senators Katherine Zappone and John Crown for their work on Seanad reform. It was a pleasure to campaign with Senator Katherine Zappone and Democracy Matters for the defeat of the referendum on Seanad abolition in October. That defeat gives us a welcome chance and an imperative to reform. On both sides of the debate, there was...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I also welcome the appointments by the Minister to the expert group, in particular to very much welcome the fact that it will be chaired by former judge and Senator, Catherine McGuinness, who has proven herself an excellent chair on similar expert group reports on very different issues such as the prison at Thornton Hall. I anticipate that the group will conduct its hearings in a thorough...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Quinn referred to the school holidays as being too long. Primary school holidays are only two months long - it is just July and August. There are good pedagogical reasons children and teachers should have a break from the intensity of lessons. I speak as a parent of primary school children.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I thank my women colleagues in this and the other House who attended the Seanad Chamber earlier today at 1.30 p.m. for an event to mark the 95th anniversary of the 1918 general election, the election in which women first had the right to vote and Constance Markievicz was elected as the first woman MP-TD. We had a great turnout, with the Chamber half full of elected women. An official...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: This is ridiculous.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I note the Senator's support for my candidacy.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Leader for indicating, when replying to the debate on yesterday's Order of Business, that he will arrange a debate on Syria for next week. I welcome this development, particularly in the context of the peace talks that are due to begin today in Switzerland. I know Senators will wish all those involved the best of luck in seeking to resolve the appalling conflict in Syria which...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Minister made his comments in the context-----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: -----of the operation of the charitable lotteries scheme established in 1997. It is in the public interest that he made those comments because the figures to which he referred are a matter of grave concern. This is a matter for us, as legislators, to deal with. Ministers often make announcements in fora in which it is inappropriate to do so. On this occasion, however, we are talking about...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Will the Leader make arrangements for a debate on the issue of climate change and the targets relating thereto as soon as possible? There have been some very worrying developments at EU level in this regard. EU leaders appear to be rowing back on the adoption of binding targets relating to carbon emission reductions. Environmental groups such as Friends of the Earth, among others, have...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the news that the Minister for Education and Skills has brought to Cabinet today his plans for the creation of the technological universities. These have long been in the pipeline following the merger of some institutes of technology. It is a welcome sign. There is further good news on the education front from Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, which is showing better times...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It is important to note that we have had very good news on the international front with the upgrading of Ireland’s status and the increased ability of foreign investors to invest in Irish bonds. That is very important. It is a real testament to the great work of a very few diplomats and staff in our embassies and our consular and diplomatic network. The Minister has often spoken of...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Tom Arnold (16 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It is the Joint Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Tom Arnold (16 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I am delighted to welcome Mr. Tom Arnold to the House in his capacity as chairperson of the Constitutional Convention.  Many of us had asked for the opportunity to invite him to address us, and this is a good moment to do so as the convention moves to the final stage of its deliberations.  It has completed the original tasks set for it with two sessions still to be held. I am...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Tom Arnold (16 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Women, not ladies.