Results 4,041-4,060 of 11,469 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: On behalf of the Labour Party group I thank colleagues for their good wishes expressed to our friend and colleague, Senator Jimmy Harte, having sustained injuries on Friday night. It came as a terrible shock to all of us in the Labour Party group and I know to all Members in the House. We very much appreciate their thoughts, good wishes and co-operation at this time. We have been in touch...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: The Leader's announcement about tomorrow's business is unfortunate but it is most unusual that we would have to do this and it is important not to rush into taking Report Stage of the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 given the extensive amendments announced by the Minister yesterday and the views expressed on Committee Stage last night. There is a positive reason for this. We...

Seanad: Civil Law (Missing Persons) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister and commend Senator Burke for taking the initiative in introducing this Bill. I am glad it will have the support of both the Minister and colleagues on all sides of the House. All of us recognise the need to take action on this issue. Indeed, Senator Burke referred to a number of the other initiatives that have already been taken in this area. I am a member of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the reports in today’s newspapers that the Government will introduce legislation to extend the right to vote in Seanad elections for the university panel seats at least, and that we will see an expansion of the electorate for the six university seats to cover all third level graduates in the various institutions across the State.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: All of us on the university panel have always called for such an extension. When the Taoiseach was in the House speaking on Seanad reform in the aftermath of the referendum he gave a commitment in that regard. It is most welcome to see today's newspaper reports that the Government is now considering a Bill to extend the university franchise. It is a step on the way to ensuring we see...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: A number of us raised the issue of Seanad reform on the Order of Business yesterday in the light of the announcement of proposed changes to the university panels. I am delighted the Cabinet signed off on the proposal to amend legislation on the Seanad electorate for the university panels to extend the franchise to graduates of all third level institutions. Today's newspapers report that...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (27 Nov 2013)

Ivana Bacik: On behalf of the Labour Party group in the Seanad I join in the expression of condolences to the family and friends of the late Bernard McGlinchey who died in April. As others have said, he was a long-serving Senator for Fianna Fáil and served from 1961 to 1982. I did not know him. I know, having listened to the tributes paid to him and reading some of his obituaries, that he was a...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the good news that the Minister for Justice and Equality this afternoon signed the package of bankruptcy reforms that will put into effect the new provisions on bankruptcy contained in the Personal Insolvency Act. People will be capable of automatic discharge from bankruptcy after three years instead of 12 years. We all acknowledge that this will make a significant difference to...

Seanad: Mental Health Services: Motion (4 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to the House. I commend my colleagues, Senator O'Keeffe and Moran, for proposing and seconding this motion on behalf of the Labour Party Senators. I am delighted the motion has cross-party support because such a topic deserves our support. It acknowledges the Government's commitment to work on mental health services and to improve the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I know the Leader will respond to the Senator's comments about hospital waiting lists. I have asked previously and I ask again for a debate in the new year on the children's hospital and on the important and long overdue plans the Government has to establish a new children's hospital. The conditions and the facilities in Crumlin and Temple Street hospitals have been criticised in the past...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I wish to add to Senator O’Brien’s comments on the pyrite Bill. There is real merit in the points he makes. We all welcome legislation to address this long overdue issue. It is clearly preferable that we would be given time to consider a Bill at each Stage, even a Bill that is welcomed by both ...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I welcome the opportunity to have a debate on the Finance (No. 2) Bill, particularly in the more positive economic climate. I have been debating with Senator Michael D'Arcy about whether it feels like a long three years or a short three years since the troika came to town. We are in disagreement on it but it is welcome to see them departing...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: And there are data protection issues for those involved. We must make sure, however, that it is not made difficult for separated parents in these circumstances. I agree with Senator D'Arcy, as someone who drinks wine but who is not an excessive drinker, that it was unfair to target wine in this way.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I spoke yesterday in support of Senator O'Brien on the pyrite Bill. It is important that we do not simply rush through all Stages of the Bill in one sitting, just because it is welcomed. Indeed, it is welcomed by both sides of the House and, in principle, it is a good idea. I know the Leader has made every effort, particularly with the Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013, to ensure we have...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: This issue was raised by several Members on Second Stage. We all understand the valid policy reasons given for the change to this credit and I thank the Minister for clarifying the 100-days issues. Senator Jim D’Arcy first asked if this measure would be looked at again and I raised it with the Minister in October. We all welcome the amendment to allow the relinquishing of the credit...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Self assessment.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Minister for that very clear and full reply and for that commitment to examine how it operates in practice. That is very helpful to hear. I also thank him for setting out the practical detail of how the Revenue will operate this. That is also helpful.