Results 2,781-2,800 of 11,668 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister to the House. I also welcome the introduction of the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012. Like others who have spoken, I am especially pleased it has been introduced in the Seanad. I thank the Minister, Deputy Shatter, for initiating the legislative process in this House. It is appropriate in...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: We will review it at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: On Tuesday, 15 May 2012.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 15 May 2012.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on mortgage arrears followed by questions and answers to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 5.45 p.m. with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, which can be shared, and a contribution from one Sinn Féin Senator not to exceed three minutes and all other Senators not to...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: As I said last week, I will follow the Leader's practice of not responding to the questions of colleagues who have left the Chamber unless they have apologised for their absence. That is a matter of courtesy. One Senator took me up on this last week but most colleagues are in agreement with that practice, particularly those who take the trouble of remaining in the Chamber for the entire...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Senator. Senator O'Brien first raised the issue of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. All of us welcome the fact that the assembly met for the first time in the Seanad yesterday when the Taoiseach addressed it. The Senator also asked for the Taoiseach to attend the Chamber. He has asked this of the Leader previously and I understand the Leader has taken that up. I will...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Brennan pointed out that it is national volunteering week. All of us would commend the considerable voluntary efforts that are made throughout the year and which are being celebrated this week. Senator Mary Ann O'Brien was the first of many speakers to raise the issue of rehiring in the public sector. The Senator called for a debate about the cost to the State of this practice. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Some of the Senator's points were specific to the stability treaty. Senator Barrett asked about referring the public transport scheme to the Comptroller and Auditor General. This is something that could be discussed further but I am not sure that a general debate on the floor of this House is the appropriate venue. Perhaps the issue could be simply addressed through a letter. We can follow...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: The Order of Business is No. 1, Statute Law Revision Bill 2012 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 3.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply not later than 3.20...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: There is Statements on Symphysiotomy, as proposed by the Labour Party.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the issue of the presence of the Taoiseach in the Chamber. I am delighted to inform the House that the Leader has been in discussion with the Taoiseach, who has given us an undertaking that he will be in the House in June to take questions on Northern Ireland and other issues.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: As Senator Coghlan said, that was always the intention. Senator Darragh O'Brien also raised the question of mortgage arrears. Yesterday, we had a good debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, who referred to the personal insolvency Bill. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality of which I am a member, has held hearings on the Bill and produced a report....

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: The situation in Greece serves to remind us of the dangers of political instability and it is perhaps a reminder also of the -----

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: -----difficulties faced by countries where there is no clear programme for recovery. In Ireland we are trying to ensure-----

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: -----we stick to a clear programme of recovery-----

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: -----and economic growth. That is the Government position on Greece. The Government is committed to maintaining Ireland's presence in a strong and stable eurozone. Senator Coghlan dealt with some of the points raised by Senator O'Brien. In response to issues raised by Senator Coghlan and others yesterday, we are having the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly debate tomorrow, as I...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I stand corrected. She assured us in October that funding had been allocated. We had all hoped very much that the hotline would be operational by now. I am not sure of the reason for the delay. The Senator will be aware that the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality held recent hearings on the issue of missing persons and it issued a report on missing persons. Part of that...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Burke raised the issue of centres for young people and the support they provide for return to education. He suggested the responsibility for this area falls between Departments. We might seek to have the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs come to the House for a wide-ranging debate on issues pertaining to children and young people. She is the best Minister to deal with that...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2012)

Ivana Bacik: For the information of the House the times today were somewhat different. An Arbour Hill commemoration ceremony took place this morning, as the Senator will be aware-----