Results 7,281-7,300 of 11,422 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: We will have a full debate on the issue of homophobia, free speech and censorship this afternoon, thanks to a motion put down by Senator Zappone which has cross-party support. Senator Moloney raised the issue of the recent storms. All of us sympathise with her nine hour journey to Kerry last week. All of us also join with her in paying tribute to the ESB, Eircom and local authority staff...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator O'Brien raised three issues. He first sought a debate with the Minister for Finance on local property taxation. The Leader has sought to have the Minister come to the House for a number of debates and I am informed that his office is in discussions with the Department of Finance to have him in the House next week. The date has not been confirmed yet but we hope to have further word...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Order of Business is No. 1, Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. and to conclude not later than 5.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 47, motion 8, to be taken at 5.30 p.m. and to conclude not later than 7 p.m., with the contribution of the proposing Senator not to exceed ten minutes, the contributions of the seconder and all other...

Seanad: Political Reform: Motion (12 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: ----- in line with the electorate for the local elections or perhaps on the basis of regional panels in line with the three European Parliament constituencies. The timing of the election is also crucial. Again, this could be changed by legislation to hold the election on the same day as the general election, thereby removing the current system under which those who do not win a Dáil...

Seanad: Political Reform: Motion (12 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: In the report the then Senator Mary O'Rourke gives a very clear indication of how it could be done.

Seanad: Political Reform: Motion (12 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: It is double-edged.

Seanad: Political Reform: Motion (12 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, to the House. We had the pleasure of his company two weeks ago for the debate on Seanad and political reform but it is always good to have another opportunity to discuss it, so I commend Senators Norris and Barrett on tabling the motion. I second the amendment, which clearly sets out the different steps taken on political reform, beyond simply...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (12 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: On behalf of the Labour Party group in the Seanad, I welcome to the Chamber the family of late Senator Tom Fitzgerald. I welcome, in particular, his wife Bridie, his children and other members of his family. Senators Cummins and Ó Murchú spoke very eloquently about the career of former Senator Fitzgerald. He was a Senator, for Fianna Fáil, for a total of 13 years. He once...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Leader for responding yesterday to my call and that of many colleagues for a debate on the bugging allegations in the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. A little more information has been forthcoming since we spoke yesterday on the Order of Business, but it is important that we wait to see what is stated today before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I agree, but the critical question is whether bugging was carried out and, if so, by whom and for what purpose. That is the sinister question. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Transparency International and other groups have expressed grave concern about the reports. We only have reports at this stage; there is very little clarity as to what exactly went on. The Garda...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: -----on the basis that it is not inclusive of gay people or any banner supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, LGBT, rights. In that regard, she is following the example of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio who has taken a similar stance. All of our Ministers should consider taking the same stance.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Vaguely.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I ask the Leader for a debate on the revelations that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, has been the victim of apparent surveillance. In the context of the story that first was broken in The Sunday Times last Sunday, it would be a good idea for Members to have a debate once they have a little more clarity as to what exactly has occurred. Certainly, it is a matter of...

Seanad: Homelessness Strategy: Motion (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O’Sullivan, to the House. I thank her for coming to deal with the motion on homelessness. I commend my colleague, Senator Aideen Hayden, who drafted and proposed the motion. I commend her on her great work with Threshold on the issue of homelessness and housing policy. Some people from Threshold are in the Visitors Gallery. I acknowledge the...

Seanad: Standing Orders: Motion (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am pleased to have an opportunity to debate these draft Standing Orders. As colleagues will be aware, we had a full debate when the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill came before the House. Senator Susan O'Keeffe spoke for the Labour Party group on that occasion and we had a full debate on the mechanisms for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Small Claims and Payment Procedures: Motion (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Minister for setting this out clearly. All of us recognise the desirability of the changes. Like many of us, I am concerned about the small number who have taken up the EU small claims procedure in Ireland. Only 44 such cases came before Dublin District Court last year and we do not know what types of cases are involved. Presumably, the low usage of the regulation is not...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of order I have to object to that. There is no such thing as a gay ideological movement.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Walsh is making himself ridiculous.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I am sure others will want to join me in commiserating with everyone who has been affected by the appalling weather during the past 24 hours. The pictures from Cork and other places that were affected are extremely dramatic. ESB crews have been out in all weathers trying to restore power and many householders and business owners have been trying to protect their properties from the...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: -----being disposed of by the Dáil and referred to the Seanad. The lack of business coming through from the Lower House at present is extremely frustrating for the Leader.