Results 6,821-6,840 of 11,469 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I agree with Senator O'Brien's comments on Maíria Cahill and the way in which Sinn Féin has been dealing with the statements made by her. I have been given a dossier on the Áine Tyrell case, information about which is in the public domain following the trial and conviction of Liam Adams last year. That case raises disturbing questions about more than one situation in which...

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, to the House. I commend my colleague, Senator David Norris, for introducing the Bill, and a debate on this or related issues, which we have debated a number of times, around direct provision and those seeking asylum and other forms of permission to reside in Ireland. I commend him for making a thoughtful contribution to what is...

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: -----on the Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014. Today at the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, reminded us that she had accepted an amendment proposed by Senator Katherine Zappone, Senator Jillian van Turnhout and others and I had supported them on extending the powers of the Human Rights and Equality Commission. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Members of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Minister for that and for her support in respect of a change to the name of the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Members of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Motion (22 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister and the motion. It is the culmination of a long process, but it is good to see the commitment shown to strengthening the mechanisms for protecting human rights and incorporating the Equality Authority. I had been critical of the moves made by the previous Government to weaken and undermine the authority. I described it as a quiet coup at one stage such was the level...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I was glad to hear the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government state on "Prime Time" last night that he was meeting Mr. John Tierney of Irish Water this morning and acknowledge that the Cabinet needs to reassure people and give them greater certainty on the structure and roll-out of water charges. It is difficult to listen to Fianna Fáil lecture us on this given...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: There have been clear and serious problems with the way it has been rolled out and it is important that the Cabinet moves swiftly in this regard. I asked for the Minister to come to the House on foot of colleagues' requests yesterday, and I understand his office has responded and that the Leader will deal with the issue. I am glad of this because I think we can have a good debate on how the...

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...