Results 6,841-6,860 of 11,422 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: However, it is hugely important and significant that we now have in place a proper and transparent system for appointing the members of State boards. If we are having this debate, we should look at the other reforms the Government has brought forward, for example, extending the Ombudsman's jurisdiction and powers and reforming the system of parliamentary inquiries, even in the wake of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Yes, I do. I had asked the question of the Leader, but some Members were shouting too loudly.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I asked the question of the Leader at the start, but I was drowned out.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I asked the Leader for a debate on the democratic reform process being brought forward, including some aspects that had already been introduced and, in particular, items such as the ethics Bill, which is yet to be brought before the House. We should have a debate on all of these reforms. It would be very useful to have the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin,...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Last week I requested a debate on delivering democratic reform in light of the revised models for appointments to State boards which were agreed by the Cabinet and have been the subject of widespread approval.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: They are belated. Following 14 years of Fianna Fáil in government, they certainly are belated.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I entirely agree that what has been brought forward is belated.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It is ironic that members of the political party that has been in power the longest during the lifetime of the State are arguing that these measures are belated. That party did nothing in respect of this matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I would like the opportunity to make my point, which is uncontroversial. This is the first time in the history of the State that there will finally be a need for Cabinet approval for an objective and transparent system of appointments to State boards.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It should also not be forgotten-----

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I acknowledged that Senator Mooney took a much more measured approach to this issue than many of his colleagues.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It is important to put on the record the large number of appointments made.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Balance is important.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It is interesting to note that less than one-third of all appointments by Fianna Fáil during its 14 years in government were women. I agree there is a need for the appointment of more women and to ensure a better gender balance in terms of State appointments.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I hope that will be the result of the new measures to be introduced by the Minister, Deputy Howlin, which recently received full Cabinet approval.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Mullins also welcomed the decrease in unemployment as set out in the live register statistics. It is genuinely a good news story that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 11.1%, down from a crisis peak of 15.1% in 2012. It is hugely significant that there has been a 9% year-on-year decrease in unemployment, with long-term unemployment having decreased by 5.5% year on year....

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: -----following which 129 applicants where whittled down to eight. It is important that this House gives credit to good practice regardless of by whom it was instituted or which committee engages in it. The media does not pay enough attention to the many Ministers who have been utilising this open and transparent system of State board appointments. Senator Brennan also expressed the hope...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I propose to ignore Senator Wilson's gratuitous comments about the Labour Party.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It is nice not to be ignored. Senator Wilson also raised the plight of Defence Forces personnel. I am sure all of us, on reading some of the reports from the Defence Forces representatives organisation, would share his concern. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has said that he has not received representations on that matter. He will be in the House next Wednesday at which time these matters...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator O'Donovan raised the John McNulty saga and confessed to eavesdropping and listening in corridors after the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting. I have no comment on his eavesdropping skills but my view on this issue has been expressed consistently on the record on a number of occasions. I have serious concerns about the manner and timing of the appointment of Mr. McNulty to the...