Results 7,601-7,620 of 11,695 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I will come to that point. The law has changed to enable single fathers to obtain guardianship in a much easier way. That is welcome. It is a point we might well raise during the debate on the children and family relationships Bill which the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs have promised, which I hope will come before the House in this term....

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I know our Government Whip has many powers but I do not think he has the power to draft or expedite legislation. I will certainly make inquiries as to the projected date for that Bill. It appears in the Government's legislative programme but there is no publication date. As with much legislation, publication is being pushed forward. Any pressure we can put on the Departments would be...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Marc MacSharry raised the issue of storm damage, particularly in counties in which the damage was not so severe as in others. I agree with him that it is important that this matter be tackled wherever there was storm damage. People were enduring terrible conditions as a result of the damage from severe weather between 13 December and 6 January. The initial estimate for cleaning up...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Order of Business is No. 1, address by Mr. Tom Arnold, chairperson of the Convention on the Constitution, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. in accordance with the arrangements set out in the motion passed by the House yesterday, 15 January 2014, and No. 2, Private Members' business, Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2013 - Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1; the time provided for this...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: With Senators Maurice Cummins and Darragh O'Brien, I wish all colleagues in the House a happy new year. I hope we will have a productive and fruitful year. Let me refer to the controversy over Irish Water which has been the subject of considerable public debate. I very much welcome the fact that two Oireachtas committees are examining it and scrutinising the consultancy payments in greater...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I listened to the Senator. I have the figures for each county also and it is very clear that there has been an increase, of over €4 million. The amount for the budget this year is over €38 million.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: As the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, has made clear, the purpose of the changes is to ensure maximum value is gained from the funding invested in the programme and that funding is targeted at the most vulnerable. The changes follow from a review conducted by the housing agency. The review is available on the agency's website, housing.ie. There has been a good deal of...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Even the Senator cannot dispute the fact that there has been an increase in the allocation.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The budget allocated in March 2013 was €34.2 million. The initial budget for this year is €38,410,342.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: By any calculation by any primary school mathematician, that amounts to an increase.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I ask for a debate on homelessness.

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of order, we have concluded the passage of the Bill. While it is appropriate for Senators to make a brief comment on the Bill, it is not appropriate to stray beyond that.

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I commend and congratulate the Minister and her colleagues on having the Bill passed.

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: We are debating Second Stage of the Adoption Bill.

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, to the House, and commend her on introducing this Bill. As the Minister and others have said, it is a narrowly focused Bill with a specific purpose, which is amending a provision of the Adoption Act 2010. However, as Senator van Turnhout and others have said, it raises much bigger issues surrounding adoption. This is a very difficult issue and one...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Dealing specifically with the state of the investigations, I understand an investigation by An Garda Síochána into a complaint made by NAMA against a former employee some time ago is at an advanced stage. I know colleagues will be relieved and glad to hear the investigation by An Garda Síochána into that former employee is at an advanced stage so it would be inappropriate...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: As I said, I appreciate that and have acknowledged the role played by the Senator and the Seanad, but the Garda will investigate fully any allegations of criminal activity. I am sure we will be glad to receive any further documentation the Senator may have. Senator Clune raised the issue of the mid-term economic review and called for a debate on that in the new year. I would agree with...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I should say that the Oireachtas Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality will continue to deal with the Legal Services Regulation Bill in the new year. I know it will be before us. I imagine it will probably be February or March 2014. We can certainly have a debate on the idea of a drop in the age of consent. I know the Government has confirmed that the general scheme of the...