Results 10,881-10,900 of 11,509 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: We can quote selectively from polls but it is important to have the full details of the poll in front of us.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I understand it is the Fianna Fáil way to quote selectively. If we look at the full figures in the poll, we see clearly what parental choice and preference is in regard to schooling but they are not getting it. Some 95% of our national schools are run by the Catholic church.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: That offers parents no choice, especially in rural areas where there is only one local school.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I would like to finish by saying-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: With respect, I was heckled and prevented from speaking for a large part of my time.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: Educate Together is the only education body that is currently offering parents the choice they clearly wish to have for their children.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: That is exactly what I said.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: Does Archbishop Martin have a hang up?

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I echo the words of Senator Alex White in calling for a debate on the ownership of national schools. While Archbishop Martin's comments that the Catholic monopoly, as he put it, over schooling is not tenable are welcome, some caution is necessary. The archbishop referred, in the reported version of his speech, to the management of schools rather than ownership. If we are to have debate on...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: -----or any sort of promise as to whether they would be introduced. There has been a long lead-in for both Bills. We heard accusations of Ministers sleeping in the other House last week and there is a danger that Ministers might be seen to be sleeping on the job if the Bills I referred to are not introduced very shortly because there has been plenty of preparation time. I introduced the...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State. I declare my own interest in this matter as I have represented people before the Special Criminal Court and have, therefore, worked with the provisions at issue in the motion. I echo Senator Alex White's words by expressing some concern about the procedure and the low level of scrutiny we give to these measures. It is important we retain the power of annual...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I was aware of that.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I join my colleagues in congratulating former Senator Alan Kelly on his election to the European Parliament. Not only did he run a great campaign but he was, I think, the only candidate to have his own rap song, which I understand has become a cult classic on YouTube. I also congratulate the councillors who were elected lord mayor, particularly Emer Costello, the new lord mayor of Dublin....

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: ——and we need to see them in this House. I hope we can debate them before the end of this term but I do not think we should hold our breath.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I support calls made by other colleagues for a debate on some issues arising from the Ryan report. I found it incredibly moving yesterday to stand outside Leinster House with the many survivors and victims of abuse present, and to hear the names of over 200 Catholic-run institutions being read out while people stood in silence. Many were very emotional as the names of the institution in...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Second Stage (10 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I thank Senator Mullen for sharing time. I welcome the Minister and the opportunity to speak on the issue of criminal procedure. Issues about reform of the criminal justice system have been very pressing with recent murders really bringing it to the fore, the intimidation of persons who have been witnesses and so on. I welcome some of the measures in the Bill, in particular Part 2 which...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I thank colleagues for their good wishes expressed yesterday and today on the election. I believe I speak for all Members who ran for election when I state it was a very positive experience. It was important to hear people's concerns directly expressed on doorsteps and the anger at the current Government is palpable. One concern to emerge from the election pertains to disenfranchisement and...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I certainly will raise it again. I echo comments made by colleagues on the Ryan report and the need for further debate on it. It was an issue on which many people expressed their views strongly and in very emotional terms. It was a real issue underlying the elections. Moreover, issues arise from the Ryan report which is not a report about history. In response to Senator Mullen, Deputy...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2009)

Ivana Bacik: Members should consider who controls our schools. At present, both national and secondary schools are still controlled predominately by the churches and by the Catholic church in particular and there is no issue in this regard. Survivors of abuse, with whom I wish to express solidarity on their march today, may be highly dismayed to see reports in today's newspapers to the effect that the De...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Ivana Bacik: On the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, Senator Harris is correct to say that we will be judged by future generations on how we responded as a society to the needs of the victims and survivors of abuse. Horrific though the findings of the report are, it is clear that it is only the tip of the iceberg because the scale of abuse and the further revelations to come will...