Results 4,361-4,380 of 11,469 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Leader will, of course, respond to Senator O'Brien's comments about the Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality but, as a member of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, before which the Secretary General, Mr. Purcell, will appear at 5 p.m., I advise the House that the committee has corresponded with Mr. Purcell to tell him it is reserving the right to...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Unfortunately, I cannot predict how the answers will go. Clearly it is within the right of any witness not to answer questions. We have seen it happen previously in Oireachtas committees that witness did not answer questions or did not answer them adequately. One cannot predict what answers will be given, but certainly the committee has expressly reserved that right. I support the calls...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I apologise for arriving late. We greatly value the insights we have gained from the witnesses. I wish to address a question to the acting Garda Commissioner and to Baroness O'Loan, and I have a general question. At the last set of hearings I asked about the Garda whistleblowers charter. Before the departure of Commissioner Callinan, I had written to him requesting a copy. The AGSI,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Would it be helpful to have that in legislation or does it require statutory underpinning?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: At our meeting with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission two weeks ago, I asked members of GSOC whether the three-person structure in place here has any disadvantages when compared to the model for the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. Should we consider having a one-person Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission in the context of the overall reform of GSOC? As the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Deputy Anne Ferris asked me to put a question to the acting Garda Commissioner. I direct it also at Mr. Brady and Baroness O'Loan. The Minister has given a commitment to appoint a new Garda Commissioner through an open competition. This decision has been welcomed by everyone. Should this appointment be deferred until the establishment of the independent policing authority given that the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Oversight: Discussion (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It is to be established by the end of the year.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I agree with Senator O’Brien that the cost of various commissions of inquiry is a matter of concern but I have already acknowledged that a previous Government established a much better model of inquiry. I think Michael McDowell was the Minister for Justice and Equality who, in 2004, established the Commissions of Investigation Act, which has been a dramatic improvement on the very...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Fennelly commission of inquiry is charged with investigating a practice that apparently went on for some three decades in Garda stations in this State, the recording of telephone conversations.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I listened with courtesy to what Senator O’Brien said. The substance of the Fennelly commission is this practice of recording telephone conversations. It is appropriate to have a commission of investigation-----

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: This practice went on for three decades under the regimes of a range of Governments. It is certainly true that the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality sought, and it was agreed, that the terms of reference would also include the events surrounding the departure of the former Garda Commissioner.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I simply cannot make a point because I am being constantly interrupted.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The members of the committee asked the Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality last night the questions which it was agreed were within its remit and powers.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The meeting lasted three hours. I could only attend the end of it because it clashed with another meeting but it seemed to me there was a reluctance to answer. That is for sure. The Fennelly commission will have the appropriate powers of compellability and fact-finding and I hope full answers on those matters will be given there. The committee also had a two and a half hour hearing with...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Jun 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I join with the Cathaoirleach and other Members in welcoming our colleagues from Mozambique. They are very welcome to the House. In respect of the Committee of Selection meeting tonight, I am sure the Leader will respond to Senator O'Brien. As leader of the Labour Party group, I am delighted that we are nominating Senator Susan O'Keeffe, who has unparalleled experience as an investigative...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Jun 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Can I just say-----

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Jun 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I did not raise it. Senator O’Brien also referred to what I suspect is no more than a rumour that the District Courts in Dublin are to be closed. I certainly have not heard that. There was a positive move under the previous Government to move the very antiquated Criminal Court sittings in the Bridewell to the Criminal Court of Justice and a new setting. All criminal justice...

Seanad: Racism in Ireland: Motion (4 Jun 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, to the House. She is always welcome and is a regular attendee here. I commend Senators Mac Conghail, Zappone and their colleagues, the Independent Taoiseach nominees' group, for putting forward a motion on this important issue. I also commend them on their highly articulate speeches. It is nice to speak...

Seanad: Visit of Romanian Delegation (5 Jun 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It sounds like there is a story to be told. I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming our colleagues from Romania.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I congratulate former Senator Deirdre Clune on her election to the European Parliament. I am glad that we have the motion in that regard before us today to formally mark her election. I welcome the announcement made by the Government that it is taking up the issue of the burial of almost 800 babies from the mother and baby home in Tuam between 1925 and 1961. This is an issue that was raised...