Results 6,721-6,740 of 11,469 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: To be fair, plenty of other Members have spoken without a script.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Acting Chairman.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Minister acknowledged it is not ideal that we are coming to the House so late in the term with this Bill. The lateness is due to the fact there were so many hours of debate, over 40, in the Dáil. The original timetable for the Bill in this House did allow for an earlier start. The Leader also made it clear we did not guillotine the Water Services (No. 2) Bill last time and, as...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Like the Minister, I am passionate in my belief for the need for Irish Water to remain in public ownership. I am glad to hear the Minister considered carefully the Seanad vote on a referendum on this issue, bringing it to the Government and the Attorney General for their consideration. A very tragic case currently before the courts regarding the eight amendment to the Constitution shows the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the package agreed by the Government on 19 November and the water conservation grant. The new measures around payment allow for greater certainty and affordability. The original timescale for the creation of Irish Water was highly challenging and it was underestimated how much work would need to be done to ensure this utility would be up and running smoothly. We all acknowledge...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Senator has undergone some change anyway.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Senator should know all about the road to Damascus.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: In the circumstances, as-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I propose a suspension until 12.30 p.m.

Seanad: Tributes to Member of Staff (18 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: On behalf of the Labour group, I join the others in wishing Andy Fitzgerald well on his retirement and complimenting him on his long service. I echo the words of colleagues on the important work the ushers do in this House and their unfailing courtesy, good humour and calmness under pressure. These traits are a lesson to all of us in what can often be a very fractious working environment....

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, to the Seanad. I very much welcome the motion tabled by our colleagues, Senators Mac Conghail and van Turnhout. It is an important motion that has given rise to a debate that has reinvigorated not only the Minister, Deputy Kelly, but all of us in this House. I certainly find it reinvigorating and stimulating to hear the interesting views...

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: We will brush over that one. To give some context, an electoral commission is something about which there is a great deal of consensus. It was promised in the programme for Government in 2007 to 2012, as pointed out by Senator Mooney. The then Minister, John Gormley, commissioned the report that many of us have commented on and read. The Preliminary Study on the Establishment of an...

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: That is a function an electoral commission should capably be able to take over. The independence of an electoral commission would be key. Others have also commented on the Constitutional Convention, of which I was proud to be part. In May and June 2013 the convention debated the issue of Dáil reform and as part of that, considered the question of an electoral commission. There was a...

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear. I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I remember that.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Yesterday's news of the appalling massacre of more than 140 people, including in excess of 130 children, by the Taliban in Pakistan means that again today we must express horror at this appalling outrage and despicable massacre of children, and I am sure others will join me in that. The Taliban has reached a new low in its series of atrocities in other countries over some years. Other...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I am sure all colleagues will join with me in expressing sympathy to those who were bereaved, traumatised or injured after the siege in the cafe in Sydney, which was finally ended in a tragic manner last night. I welcome the fact that the Cabinet will be discussing the referendum on marriage equality to be held in 2015. It is not yet clear whether a date will be announced following today's...

Seanad: Sitting Arrangements: Motion (11 Dec 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Seanad shall meet on Monday, 15th December, 2014 at 2.30 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply:(1) (a) Standing Orders 29 and 30 shall stand suspended;(b) there shall be no Order of Business; (c) the business to be taken shall be confined to–(i) the Second Stage of the Health...