Results 9,061-9,080 of 11,477 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Like other Senators, I have sought a more general debate on education with the Minister and I am hopeful such a debate will take place in the coming weeks. As stated, the Minister will be before the House next week.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Darragh O'Brien also referred to minority faith schools. He will be aware that last year the Minister established the forum on patronage and pluralism in the primary sector which was set up, with a buy-in by the patrons of all schools, specifically to consider how diversity could be accommodated in the school system. I attended a public meeting of the forum in November and its...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I understand a report on the matter is due to be published in coming weeks when I hope the House will be able to engage in a debate on the matter and the Senator and others will be in a position to raise with the Minister the issues about which they are concerned. Senator Feargal Quinn referred to the sale of Aer Lingus. I agree with him about reports on the sale of State assets and the need...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I will rise above them.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I wish to clarify for the Senator that the legal fees relating to the Mahon tribunal were set by the previous Government and at an outrageous level.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I think I will rise above that comment, too. Senator Tom Sheahan referred to the need to reform the coroner system. As the Cathaoirleach helpfully pointed out, the Coroner's Bill 2007 is before the House on Committee Stage. I do not have information on a timeframe for it, but we should try to ascertain when it will be taken. Senators Labhras Ó Murchú, Michael Mullins and Paul Coghlan...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: We have a direct link with the members of the National Transitional Council through the woman to whom I refer. Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh welcomed, in fluent Irish, the debate which took place in the House yesterday on the Irish language. I wish I could match him in that regard. Senator Tony Mulcahy referred to health service delivery. It should be possible to seek a debate with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: As stated, I am aware of the case to which the Senator refers. Senators Walsh, Clune, Ó Clochartaigh, McSharry, Healy Eames, Mullins and Harte sought a debate on the household broadcasting charge with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. The Minister has indicated that he is contemplating the introduction of such a charge. A number of Senators...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I join Senator O'Brien in conveying the sympathies of the Labour Party Members to the family of the former editor of the Sunday Independent, Aengus Fanning, and to the families of the fishermen lost in the tragedy at sea off west Cork. We all commend the bravery of the search and rescue teams and the immense solidarity and bravery of the local communities in Union Hall. I take this...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: A review has been announced.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I am very familiar with these schools.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: A review of the cuts has been announced.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: That is why a review of the cuts has been announced.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: As with Senator O'Brien and all other Senators, I am very concerned by the announcement of prospective job losses in Ulster Bank and by the news that there are likely to be other job losses in other banks. It is a matter of real concern and emphasises the importance of the jobs strategy the Government announced yesterday. It will be launching a more detailed plan in the coming week. We...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jan 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I join with others in welcoming everyone back after the break and wishing colleagues a happy new year and a busy and productive session ahead. I mention the untimely deaths of two very noted and respected journalists, Caroline Walsh of The Irish Times, and Mary Raftery, whose brave investigative work for RTE, and "Prime Time" in particular, exposed some shameful abuses of individuals,...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank her for her words about the Seanad. She is very welcome, with or without an entourage, and I thank her for circulating copies of her speech. It was helpful and has clarified some of the context of the debate. We all welcome the fact political agreement was reached last week by European leaders. We must also accept that at present this...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I am conscious all sorts of political points can be made about that. The language used is interesting. It is as yet unclear what it will become. It is an agreement of 26 rather than 27 member states. We know Chancellor Merkel had initially sought amendments to the Lisbon treaty, which would have been a different type of creature. We await more information. While at this stage political...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Berlin, not Boston.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2011)

Ivana Bacik: He admitted he was wrong.