Results 7,621-7,640 of 11,695 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Darragh O'Brien spoke about the further allegations that have been made regarding NAMA. I join others who have commended the Senator on raising this issue. This is an illustration of the importance of the Seanad as an appropriate forum for highlighting issues. Clearly, these are serious matters that fall within the remit of the Garda. Like others, I am glad to hear that Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: In any event, I am not sure it would be appropriate for the Minister to debate the matter with us. Senator Mullins, who was one of the many Senators to speak on this issue, sensibly suggested it would be more appropriate for the board of NAMA to be brought before the Committee of Public Accounts or the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform to be interrogated and to answer...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Such investigations are solely matters for the Garda Síochána. Any person who has information that might be useful should make it available to the Garda. People have been critical of the NAMA legislation. I think that is fair. There are specific offences under the NAMA Act in relation to the inappropriate disclosure of confidential information.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: The Order of Business is No. 1, Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude no later than 1.30 p.m.; No. 2, Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and to...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (17 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I support the comments made by Senators Cullinane, Wilson and Cummins. I ask the Minister to report back to his Cabinet colleagues that it is unacceptable to have a frenzy of legislation in the last week of the session. It has put undue pressure on the Bills Office, in particular, and on the staff of the Houses. It is not a good way to legislate. I accept, as I think we all do, that some...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (17 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (17 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that was agreed this morning. I propose that we conclude Committee and Remaining Stages at 5.30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (17 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I ask that the sitting be suspended for 20 minutes.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (17 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Until 4.15 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I read the report in today's edition of The Irish Times concerning the projected liabilities of Dublin City Council, to which Senator O'Brien is referring. Certainly, I would share his concern about that. It does seem somewhat invidious that the council would be left with liabilities without relevant assets. We will have the opportunity to debate that with the Minister, Deputy Hogan, on...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Tomorrow.

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister to the House and welcome this Bill, which has clearly received a general welcome across the House. It is nice, when Members are debating other Bills that are not quite greeted with the same level of consensus, that this Bill has been introduced. Others have already spoken about the general recognition of the need to provide some resolution for the many homeowners...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: We need to be careful about what we are saying,-----

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: -----particularly if there may be criminal proceedings arising from some of these issues. On another issue raised by Senator Darragh O'Brien that I was also going to raise, namely, Seanad reform and a certain report in today's newspapers that the Taoiseach was to meet with Seanad political leaders, as leader of the Labour Party group in the Seanad I have not been approached or asked about a...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Darragh O'Brien has raised serious matters of grave concern. The general point he makes is that if anyone has information about corruption or criminal matters that have arisen, then clearly he or she has an obligation to report this to the Garda. That overrides any imperative for discussing such matters in this or any other forum. The other issue is that the Garda Commissioner and...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Self assessment.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Minister for that very clear and full reply and for that commitment to examine how it operates in practice. That is very helpful to hear. I also thank him for setting out the practical detail of how the Revenue will operate this. That is also helpful.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: This issue was raised by several Members on Second Stage. We all understand the valid policy reasons given for the change to this credit and I thank the Minister for clarifying the 100-days issues. Senator Jim D’Arcy first asked if this measure would be looked at again and I raised it with the Minister in October. We all welcome the amendment to allow the relinquishing of the credit...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I spoke yesterday in support of Senator O'Brien on the pyrite Bill. It is important that we do not simply rush through all Stages of the Bill in one sitting, just because it is welcomed. Indeed, it is welcomed by both sides of the House and, in principle, it is a good idea. I know the Leader has made every effort, particularly with the Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013, to ensure we have...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: And there are data protection issues for those involved. We must make sure, however, that it is not made difficult for separated parents in these circumstances. I agree with Senator D'Arcy, as someone who drinks wine but who is not an excessive drinker, that it was unfair to target wine in this way.