Results 7,321-7,340 of 11,469 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Mooney welcomed the decision to establish the independent review into the matters arising from the alleged bugging of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. Most people - not everyone - broadly welcomed the fact that an independent review is being established. Many individuals sought such a review. I recently criticised the Government's handling of this matter on...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the operation of the Teaching Council of Ireland, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply to the debate not later than 1.20 p.m.; No. 46, motion 7,...

Seanad: Free Speech, Homophobia and the role of the State Broadcaster: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Free Speech, Homophobia and the role of the State Broadcaster: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I am honoured to second the motion and follow Senator Zappone's powerful speech proposing it. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, to the House. I am delighted that he is present to respond to our contributions. I also welcome members of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, GLEN, Marriage Equality and others in the Visitors Gallery. In particular, I acknowledge Ms Gilligan, Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I thank Senator Norris for his clarification.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: I do not think I would go that far.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2014)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Norris has just given me a nice segue into what I was going to say next, which was that, of course, we will later this year have the very welcome visit of President Michael D. Higgins to Britain, if I may say that, to meet with the Head of State there. We will, of course, be having ongoing and very close relations with the British authorities. Nonetheless, there is an emphasis this...

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...