Results 6,781-6,800 of 11,422 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Appointment of Members of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Referral to Joint Committee (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann, noting that the Government on the 14th October, 2014 nominated Emily Logan, Teresa Blake, Frank Conaty, Heydi Foster, Liam Herrick, David Joyce, Mark Kelly, Sunniva McDonagh, Siobhán Mullally, Mary Murphy, Fidèle Mutwarasibo, Ray Murphy, Orlagh O'Farrell, Betty Purcell and Kieran Rose for appointment by the President to be members...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It must be terrible not to be informed of an ongoing revolution - Senator Leyden was involved in the creation of the HSE so he would know about such matters. Senator Healy Eames raised the issue of Ms Maíria Cahill. I have already addressed this and expressed concerns regarding the cover-up, how she was treated and the need for sensitivity when dealing with survivors of sexual abuse...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: We did have a full debate in this House on the water services legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: There was a far better approach taken to the debate in the Seanad than to the debate in the Dáil. Senator Daly spoke of water charges and NAMA and I responded. The Senator also spoke of the desecration of the grave of William T. Cosgrave and I appreciate his comments as it is important that we all condemn the desecration of any grave but particularly that of a person who played such a...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I suppose the Oireachtas banking inquiry, of which Senator Barrett and others are members, will be the appropriate body to investigate the role of the Central Bank and any failings in its regulation or lack of regulation in the past. We all await that strand of the banking inquiry's investigations with anticipation. Senator Brennan mentioned the vandalising of the grave of W.T. Cosgrave and...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Yes, a public company.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: In the model of others such as Bord Gáis. Senator MacSharry should be aware of what we mean by a public company.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Darragh O'Brien did not seek a debate on Irish Water today but Senator O'Donnell did. I have submitted a request to have the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, come to the House and I am awaiting a response. I would be happy to have the debate today or tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I am simply trying to give a fair response.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: On foot of Senator O'Donnell's request I have submitted a request to the Minister's office to have him come to the House and I am awaiting a response. As Senator Ned O'Sullivan acknowledged, as we speak the Commission for Energy Regulation is appearing before the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on the issue of charges, in particular. That is a huge issue. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I ask the Senator to hold off until I know. If I can I will have him in the House today and, if not, tomorrow. Senator Darragh O'Brien also raised the issue of sex abuse and the recent public concerns around Maíria Cahill and her assertions, comments and statements on what happened to her and the cover up of the abuse she had suffered by senior figures in Sinn Féin-IRA. Like...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: That is a general comment on this issue. I am glad to note that the DPP in Northern Ireland has announced a review of the case - that is important - and of any other cases that may arise. Certainly Maíria Cahill in her brave and courageous comments has said there will be others. The Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, has already met Maíria...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Darragh O'Brien first raised the issue of Irish Water, which was discussed this morning when the Cabinet considered an update on issues related to Irish Water. The Government has recognised, as Ministers have been stating for some time, that it must do more to ensure there is full public understanding of the reasons for the establishment of Irish Water and full public trust in all...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: If I am allowed to continue, I would like to provide my colleagues with the full context. To set this matter in context, as some Opposition Senators acknowledged, the House had a full debate on the Water Services Act.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I agree that the other House should have given more time to the Bill. The Seanad, however, was careful to give plenty of time to the debate and I am glad we did so. The Government has affirmed its support for the establishment of Irish Water as a long-term strategic investment. We are conscious that Ireland is the only OECD country without water charges.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Water is a vital natural resource and the vast majority of people agree on the need to ensure-----

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Senators opposite clearly do not want to hear what the Government is proposing to do about Irish Water.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Government has reaffirmed its commitment, which was set out clearly in the legislation, that Irish Water, as a public company, will not be privatised. It is important that people are aware of that. The metering programme is ahead of target and progress has been made on the roll-out of domestic metering. Senators are aware of the free allowances and water subsidy for social welfare...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: An income tax rebate of up to €100 per household was announced in the budget. Notwithstanding these measures, the Government recognises there is significant and legitimate public concern about aspects of the roll-out of Irish Water. Many of the issues of concern are being addressed by the board and management of Ervia and Irish Water in the first instance. The board of Irish Water...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: As several of the commentators who have been fair on this issue have pointed out, we lose 41% of water through leakage. The water system is not working because of decades of under-investment by the Fianna Fáil Party and other parties in government.