Results 9,141-9,160 of 11,477 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I thought Senator Ó Clochartaigh would appreciate that.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I am delighted Senator Mooney ended on a positive note. That was very welcome. We all agree and wish our very best to the Irish team and Giovanni Trapattoni. To respond to what he said in terms of the gloomy news, certainly the ESRI report did make for gloomy news as it emphasised the serious nature of the difficulty at European level, beyond national boundaries. Senator Mooney sought...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I am delighted also that Senator Mooney is seeking a cross-party approach to the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: It would be very helpful.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: There will be great support for the Senator's suggestion. It would be helpful to have a debate on the Croke Park agreement in the new year. Others have called for that. However, any debate on the agreement must take account of what is happening elsewhere. We see gloomy news today for those waking up in Britain with a day of action and a strike taking place. The bulk of those covered by...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: It is in already in place, since 2007.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: That is rich. Fianna Fáil had a co-location policy when in government.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: It is inappropriate and patronising.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Senator O'Brien should know better than to speak about broken promises from his side of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I sat politely and listened with courtesy to what Senator O'Brien had to say.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: If I could be permitted to speak I would answer Senator O'Brien. I gave him a very full answer in my response to the Order of Business on Thursday concerning the Government's strategy on mortgage arrears. As Senator O'Brien knows, the Government is currently undertaking a consultation process due to be completed at the end of November.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Clearly I am not being allowed to respond.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I gave Senator O'Brien a clear outline of the Government's current strategy which, as he knows, is to engage in consultation. As I told him on Thursday, this is with a view to moving ahead on a pilot programme involving 500 households.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I told him this.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: The consultation process is to be completed at the end of this month and the Government will then proceed to publish the strategy. Senator O'Brien can rest assured that there is no shortage of advocates at the Cabinet table on behalf of those struggling with mortgage difficulties.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: A great deal more concern has been shown and a great deal more practical steps have been taken by this Government than were ever taken by the Senator's government.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: If Senator O'Brien's government had dealt better with the bills it had we might not be in the mess we are in.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I commend the Leader and the PCC's public consultation process we undertook on Thursday. Nine different groups addressed us to advocate the rights of older people. It was an instructive and enlightening process. We have moved ahead hugely in terms of knowledge about what is required. We heard a great deal about the draft UN convention and the various needs of older people. It is an...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Senator O'Brien asked for clarification on the mortgage arrears implementation strategy. I am glad to inform him that the Government is moving forward as a matter of urgency with the strategy. It is launching two mortgage-to-rent schemes on a pilot basis initially to test how they will operate ahead of a wider roll-out. One of the pilot schemes will cover a broad range of 500 households....

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I appreciate that we have been trying to get him to come to the House and I ask Senators to accept the good faith there. I think that has covered-----