Results 9,701-9,720 of 11,489 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: The Minister of State pointed to a safeguard earlier where approval by a principal officer or above was required at Revenue before powers could be exercised. I note in section 74(c) that a new provision is to be inserted, referring to an officer of specific rank within the Revenue Commissioners, whereby "authorised officer" means an officer of the Revenue Commissioners authorised in writing...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I move recommendation No. 1: In page 7, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following: 3.—Section 3 shall not come into operation save by order of the Minister which may only be made after the Minister has carried out an economic and social impact assessment of the introduction of the universal social charge, particularly in respect of those on medical cards or over the age of 70 who...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I am disappointed in the Minister's response. The changes he has made represent only a small concession and the universal social charge does have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I am very disappointed he is not willing to agree to this minimal request that the impact of the charge be deferred until we have seen exactly what will be the impact on the lowest paid and the disadvantaged. The very least we could do is to defer the introduction of such a charge until a review has been carried out.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: That is not true.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Like other Senators, I strongly support the recommendation. The passage of the civil partnership Bill, now an Act, was a highlight for many of us during our time in the House. It had support from both Houses. There is support for the measures necessary to equalise the position of civil partners and spouses in tax law. There is a timing matter because the first civil partnership ceremonies...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: The Senator is rehashing it.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: It seems anomalous that the deadline for the making of tax returns by the self-employed was extended again but was never changed in the case of capital acquisitions tax. Having separate dates creates an undue burden of extra bureaucracy. It is not just that the deadline is one month earlier but September is a significant month for manufacturing businesses, as the summer can be a quieter...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Why are the dates different? The Minister of State indicated that it is quite common for there to be different deadlines in respect of the payment of various tax returns. I accept that. However, why are the dates relating to the self-employed and CAT different when it is clear that the original intention was for the same date to apply in respect of them? I do not believe the Minister of...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I echo the concerns raised by other speakers on this provision. Can the Minister clarify to what extent this provision expands the existing powers of the Revenue Commissioners under section 1002 of the principal Act, the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997? It seems to bring about a significant expansion of the existing power of the Revenue Commissioners, and that is a very valid concern.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State. This section relates to stamp duty. Many Members have been contacted by first-time residential property buyers who were formerly exempt from stamp duty in the past number of days. They have not only experienced a reduction in their pay packets, an increase in the cost of their health insurance and the impact of the universally detested USC but they will...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I hope we will get an opportunity to discuss it on Report Stage. I would like the Minister of State to clarify the position in respect of stamp duty in section 66 and to put on record the concerns of first-time buyers such as those who have been in touch with us by e-mail.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: In my initial contribution I acknowledged that the budgetary changes resulted in many people making savings on stamp duty. As the Minister of State will be aware from his own experience as Minister with responsibility for housing, however, there was more activity in the housing market among first-time buyers, even given the unstable and weak property market we have seen recently, precisely...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I did say I recognised there was some attempt at providing a transitional arrangement in section 66(3), but it is clear that people who had contemplated buying a house will still be caught. The Minister of State has accepted that first-time buyers who had contemplated buying a house had put their finances in order for a particular sum and must now face having to find a substantial additional...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Minister and staff in the Department for dealing with the Bill. I also thank the Minister for answering the queries I raised and the concerns I voiced about the Bill. This is probably the last legislative measure the Seanad will pass other than the Finance Bill, although who knows what will happen with that Bill.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: The last justice Bill.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Smith, and congratulate him on assuming his new ministerial role, albeit short-lived. We are debating the Bill in surreal times, with general political attention focused elsewhere on the finance Bill.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: As I would like to finish it now, I will be brief. The Labour Party recognises that the legislation stems from the Dillon case which the Minister explained and, as such, did not oppose it in the Dáil. Likewise, it will not oppose its passage in this House. The offences provided for in sections 5 and 6 relating to living off the proceeds of and organising begging are welcome. Deputy...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Of course, we do not. I will finish on this point. Barnardos is concerned children could be prosecuted for begging. Others have pointed out that those who are living in poverty or homelessness could also be targeted. These were the concerns raised by the Labour Party in the Dáil. However, we are not opposing the Bill's passage.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I agree with Senators Fitzgerald and Alex White that the instability of the current Government is demonstrated by the fact that we still do not know whether the Finance Bill will pass. The Government clearly has no popular mandate and it is essential we have an election date as soon as possible. The lack of clarity about the date does affect the everyday lives of those outside the political...