Results 3,881-3,900 of 11,469 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: We have a very short window of time.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Thank you, a Chathaoirligh. When we are out canvassing it is worth reminding everyone that there are two Bills for reform which have passed Second Stage in the Seanad. They are on the Order Paper and therefore it is not simply a case of retention or abolition because there are clearly proposals for reform in the public domain. I am also seeking a debate on Syria in the near future. During...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I was going simply to welcome the announcement of the setting up of the bank inquiry. Everyone wishes to see an inquiry into the events, particularly leading up to the night of the bank guarantee. That is rightly the preliminary focus and it should be the first focus of the inquiry when it is set up. However, in respect of the issue about No. 2, I do not believe it is appropriate that we...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: The motion before us, which the Leader has proposed to be taken without debate is simply the commencement order. It simply notes and approves the commencement order of the Act. I do not believe we should be looking to delay the commencement order.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I agree, however, that a debate about the nature of the banking inquiry would be useful and perhaps we might have that soon. I understand that, as yet, it has not been decided precisely which entity will take it, whether it would be the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform or a sub-committee of that committee. I agree that it is important that the joint committee or...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: However, the timing of that investigation is critical. It is quite right to look at postponing that particular focus or tranche of the investigation or inquiry until after the criminal trial.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: No, let me finish.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: It is very important.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I agree with Senator O'Brien that we need to debate this but I do not believe we need to debate the commencement order. I am keen to see this Act commenced quickly, as do most. Yesterday, Senator Mac Conghail paid an eloquent tribute to Seamus Heaney and I add my voice to that. His untimely death brought about a major national outpouring of grief and it touched many people who had been...

Seanad: Directive of European Parliament on Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children: Statements (19 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Younger.

Seanad: Directive of European Parliament on Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children: Statements (19 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Donohoe, to the House. Like others, I spent time labouring on the opposite benches with him in a previous incarnation. I am delighted to see him in his current role.

Seanad: Directive of European Parliament on Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children: Statements (19 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the debate on this directive. It is a weighty, important and distressing subject. Having listened to Senator van Turnhout's elegant contribution, every Senator would be moved by her comments and her correct portrayal of the issue of child pornography and child abuse material on the Internet. Sometimes, this aspect of child abuse is muddied by the language of freedom of...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I will start with a measure of good news, certainly for Dublin Senators. It was a wonderful result in the all-Ireland final on Sunday. I was among the thousands of people on Merrion Square last night to watch the team come home with the Sam Maguire cup. On a more serious note, it was the culmination of a particularly good weekend in terms of organising communal events that brought large...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the announcement today that the early years sector will be greatly strengthened. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, announced that she will strengthen the registration, regulation and enforcement powers relating to regulation of preschool services. We had a good deal of debate earlier this year on the issue, particularly after the shocking...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. David Begg (25 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome David Begg to the House, it is a pleasure to have the General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions here. It is important to mark the 1913 Lock-out centenary in this way and that we speak also about its relevance to modern Ireland. I had to propose to a previous meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges that Mr. Begg would address us, and it is great that he...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Proposed UK Block Opt-Out of JHA Measures: Discussion (25 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I thank Dr. Barrett for a really comprehensive overview which is very helpful to the committee. Following from Deputy Mac Lochlainn's question, I am interested in the consequence for Ireland of the UK position, which whatever the motivation, clearly is the necessity to have ready a plan B in the shape of bilateral agreements with the UK if that country does not decide to opt back in to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Fourth Programme of Law Reform: Discussion with Law Reform Commission (25 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I thank Mr. Justice Quirke and Mr. O'Malley for their presentations. On foot of a recent Seanad debate on this issue, the Minister for Justice and Equality indicated to myself and Senator Jillian van Turnhout that the Department is undertaking an active review of this area. It is conscious of the need for reform and the rape crisis centres have also been pressing for this. There is a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Fourth Programme of Law Reform: Discussion with Law Reform Commission (25 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Fourth Programme of Law Reform: Discussion with Law Reform Commission (25 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: There is a review of the sex offences legislation going on in the Department of Justice and Equality. The legislative programme also contains proposals for a Bill with a general review of sex offences to be published in 2014. I know the Minister has been promising that for some time, so it may slip again. Has the Law Reform Commission a specific mechanism for ensuring the work it does gets...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Fourth Programme of Law Reform: Discussion with Law Reform Commission (25 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: It would seem a shame that there would be duplication. The Minister has said on several occasions that he hopes the review will lead to legislation next year. He has told this committee that he hopes it will be a comprehensive codifying sex offence statute.