Results 1,321-1,340 of 11,441 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (5 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: I am pleased the Minister of State has acknowledged the need for this change. I accept entirely that a sea change is required in attitudes and culture. However, it has occurred elsewhere in the system in terms of psychiatric services, civil legislation and so on. It is unfortunate we cannot make the change in this legislation also. It is clearly an anachronism that is not only of the 20th...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (5 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: I also thank the Minister of State and his officials for their work on this Bill. We had a productive and constructive debate and I am glad he took on board the issue of designating centres other than the Central Mental Hospital. It is a pity we could not move on from the use of the language of insanity but I very much look forward to the outcome of the review the Minister of State has...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: I support the calls made by other speakers for a debate on transport policy. Following on from Senator Buttimer's question about who drives transport policy, we can say it is certainly not the Minister who is not even a back seat driver but just a passenger at this stage——

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: I agree. We have seen a complete abdication of responsibility for governing and driving transport policy and, as other speakers said, a handing over of responsibility to quangos. We need a debate on the issue. I thank the Cathaoirleach for welcoming the distinguished delegation in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. I also wish to welcome its members on my own behalf. It is a UNICEF-led...

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: On a procedural point, does it mean that if the Government amendment No. 2 is accepted, my amendments Nos. 3 and 4 fall?

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister and thank him for taking the time to consider the points I made, supported by Senator Regan, on Committee Stage. This is an important point and I do not believe the Minister's amendment No. 2 deals with the issue we raised on Committee Stage. I am aware of the Law Reform Commission recommendations. I accept that the effect of the fine should not be made more severe...

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: As proposer, I believe I can speak on this one more time. In answer to Senator Walsh, I have no problem with the idea that a fine should be less than what would be otherwise appropriate because that is in ease of the defendant. The principle of interpretation of a criminal statute is that what is in favour of the accused or the defendant would apply. That is not the difficulty which, as...

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: I also welcome the passage of the Bill, particularly the changes it makes in allowing the courts to impose community service orders where persons default on fines, empowering them to make provision for payment by instalment, etc. As previous speakers stated, it is to be hoped this will reduce the shocking numbers who are imprisoned for defaulting on fines and clogging up the prison system at...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: A great deal has been said about the protest outside Leinster House last Tuesday. I was not on it but I heard many people afterwards who said they went on it intending to participate in a peaceful protest and they were dismayed by the actions of a small number who engaged in violence. That needs to be put the record as people bandy around accusations about individuals. All the speakers had...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: I am very open about it. It is not a cover-up.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: I renew my call for a debate on the role of the church in education and the issue of school patronage, about which Deputy Quinn has been speaking for some time. He has called for the establishment of a national forum on patronage, which is a good idea. I called for such a debate yesterday in the context of the ongoing revelations about abuse within the church, the cover-up of abuse and...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: Archbishop Martin suggested that also.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: That is not what I said.

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements (Resumed) (19 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements (Resumed) (19 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: Only 20% of candidates in the last election were women, so the electorate does not have the choice.

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements (Resumed) (19 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: It has got worse since we published the report.

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements (Resumed) (19 May 2010)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Ivana Bacik: I add my voice to those who have welcomed the fact that there will be a debate on the Israeli bombardment of the aid ship. It is timely that we will have a debate tomorrow night because we have all——

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the fact that we will have that debate tomorrow night. It is important that we debate what happened on the aid ship. It is another appalling outrage on the part of the Israeli forces. Many of us who were highly critical of their actions in the bombardment of Gaza and the invasion of Lebanon are shocked to see that this is happening yet again. As Senator Ó Murchú said, Israel...