Results 6,421-6,440 of 11,407 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I just wanted to say that. For many of us, how she stuck it so long is a mystery, but that is the only comment I want to make about what is an internal Fianna Fáil matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: Maybe not. Senator O'Brien asked a specific question on when we are likely to see the marriage Bill. There is a draft published on the Taoiseach's website and the Minister for Justice and Equality has announced that she will have the Bill enacted by the end of July to enable same-sex couples to get married. She intends to seek Government approval for the final draft of the Bill in June and...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I note SIPTU has said it wants to see commitments on jobs in particular, which is very important. Senator O'Brien also asked that the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, would come to the House to brief us all on the issue. I think that is very fair and I will ask him to do that as it would be most useful. Senator Paul Coghlan welcomed the public consultation committee report on farm safety...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: -----when other colleagues are trapped here, listening to a very lengthy leader's response to Members who are not here. With the permission of those who are here, I will just respond to those who are here, and if anyone listening on the monitor wants a response, they can come to the House. If I miss anyone, they can tell me. On that basis, I will move to Senator Zappone. Again, I pay...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: We are pushing on that and I know it is a priority for the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin. I am hopeful it will finally finish in the Seanad before the end of this term. I would welcome help on that. On the forgotten referendum on presidential age, I very much regret the result. I take issue with what Senator Craughwell said about it. I thought it was an important...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Norris also referred, quite rightly, to the Constitutional Convention and some other very important recommendations that I regret we did not get to put to the people, in particular the voting age, the removal of blasphemy and the place of women in the home. They are all referendums which are now overdue.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: Yes, that was the other issue on the presidency which was supported by a large majority of the convention. Senator Mullins expressed a lovely tribute to Bill O'Herlihy. We all want to join other Senators in expressing our sympathies to his wife, Hillary, his daughters and his family, friends and colleagues. It was a real shock that he passed away in such an untimely fashion. Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: As I said, I think we should keep the 25%.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I accept Senator Quinn's amendment. He also asked for the Minister for Finance to come before the House to discuss variable mortgage rates. I will look for that debate. Last week the Minister held a series of meetings with Ireland's six main mortgage lenders, focusing on the high standard variable rates being charged by the banks. That is a matter that is under ongoing review. Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Sheahan referred to the energy regulator and fuel prices, which are probably best dealt with as a Commencement matter. We can ask the Minister to come to the House if he wishes to have a fuller debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I will accept that amendment.

Seanad: Companies Act 2014 (Section 1313) Regulations 2015: Referral to Joint Committee (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approve the following Regulations in draft:Companies Act 2014 (Section 1313) Regulations 2015,copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 8 May, 2015, be referred to the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, in accordance with Standing Order 70A(3)(j), which, not later than 28 May 2015, shall send...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy: Statements (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and his appointment to this new role with responsibility for the national drugs strategy. That appointment is positive and the Minister of State brings immense commitment to the matter, given his personal experience as a teacher and principal in an area that had a significant drug problem and as a Labour Party colleague. I am glad that he has...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy: Statements (26 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: From the Minister of State's speech and from our knowledge of the area, we would be very conscious that this is the case on the ground and that we have, as others have said, about 10,000 people on opiate substance programmes administered by the HSE. We recognise that addiction is a medical issue. I am glad to hear the Minister of State speak about the expansion of the needle exchange...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: The Order of Business is No. 1, Children (Amendment) Bill 2015, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m., with contributions from group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: No. It is open-ended.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the issue of the health service and spoke about the number of patients on waiting lists, which is a matter of considerable concern to all of us. I would remind the Senator that during the boom years, under Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, there were appalling waiting lists and there was appalling mismanagement of the health system.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: Indeed, the establishment of the HSE and the disastrous policy of co-location took place under a Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government-----

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: -----which included Fianna Fáil's current party leader as then Minister for Health and Children for some of that period.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2015)

Ivana Bacik: It is difficult to take-----