Results 8,101-8,120 of 11,695 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: The projected debate with the projected date of the referendum has focused minds on Seanad reform and has cultivated a more meaningful debate than at any time in the recent history of the Seanad. In the general election of 2011, almost all the political parties identified abolition of the Seanad as part of their political reform agendas. The Sinn Féin manifesto proposed abolition of...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: The Fianna Fáil manifesto said that if proposals for reform of the electoral system and of Government were enacted, it would support the abolition of the Seanad. It was a somewhat contingent proposal.

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Certainly it has concentrated the minds, although this is not a new development. I have spoken previously on the history of the Seanad and the fact that throughout its 90 plus years there have been endless calls for abolition and debates on retention and abolition. In the 1930s there was extensive debate on the merits of bicameral as opposed to unicameral systems and yet the Seanad has...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: They are pro-choice.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: It would be good to have a debate on the hospital reconfiguration plan, which has received a broad welcome, although we do not think it should be today. I add my welcome to it. It is an ambitious plan with a clear objective of delivering high quality and safe patient care and maximising good outcomes for patients. The concept of centres of excellence has, by now, been accepted by everyone-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: ------and that people need to see hospital reconfiguration.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: To be fair, that was-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: If Senator Byrne will allow me finish, I was trying to be fair, as I always am, by saying it was a concept initiated by the previous Government. It is not a concept that belongs to this Government. It is now established and understood in the health services that it is the best way to deliver good outcomes for patients.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I also call for a debate on the terms of oil and gas exploration. We should welcome the announcement by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, to review the fiscal terms on oil and gas production and he is seeking expert advice on the best way to ensure maximum fiscal gain for Ireland. It is in line with the Labour Party manifesto commitment to...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: It is a Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I pay tribute to Donal Walsh, the young teenager who tragically died from cancer earlier this week. I extend our sympathy to his parents, sister and family. He was a young man who in a short lifetime achieved a great deal, not only in raising awareness of suicide and doing important work on suicide prevention but also in his immense fund-raising efforts for Crumlin children's hospital....

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I thank all of the Members who contributed to the Labour Party's Private Members' business last night, the motion on domestic violence. I commend Senators Moloney and O'Keeffe for proposing and seconding the motion. The debate was comprehensive and the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, responded very well and gave a clear overview of the Government's policy on dealing with domestic...

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Motion (8 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and commend my colleagues, in particular Senators Moloney and O'Keeffe, on proposing and seconding the motion. It is very important that we take time to review the way in which the Government is dealing with the very serious incidence of domestic violence. We have taken time to commend what the Government has been doing. The Minister set out...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (8 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I remind colleagues that Labour Party Senators have tabled a motion on domestic violence for debate this evening. Senator Moloney will propose the motion and it will be seconded by Senator O'Keeffe. I hope we will have a good debate on the supports that are needed for the victims and survivors of domestic violence. Our motion is intended to enable a general debate while also homing in on...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn (8 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I, too, welcome the Commissioner, Ms Geoghegan-Quinn, to the House. I thank her for coming to speak to us. As the Leader, Senator Cummins, stated, her visit here is part of a formal engagement process we are undertaking with the European Union, with our representatives in the European Union and with others in the European Union, such as Commissioners. We invited a number of Ireland's MEPs...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I said that.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I know the Leader will respond to the Senator's question about the schedule. He gave an indication last week to colleagues - we were all very much aware that next week is Europe week - that we would have a number of MEPs here this week and that the European Commissioner would attend next week, so it was in line with the schedule. Yesterday he also gave Senators in attendance a full response...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: The Leader gave a full response.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I listened courteously and I did not interrupt anyone even though I disagreed.