Results 7,481-7,500 of 11,422 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to the House and thank her for debating this motion on behalf of the Government. It involves a number of different areas of responsibility and, as the Minister said, local authorities bear some of the responsibility for some of the measures being proposed. I commend my colleagues, Senators Landy and Whelan, on proposing this motion and...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: A total of 39% voted.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Like the Leader and Senator Darragh O'Brien, I very much welcome the result of Saturday's referendum on the abolition of the Seanad. It shows that the people engaged very closely with the proposal put to them. They scrutinised the issues and were very keen, particularly in the immediate lead-up to the referendum, to inform themselves. Their decision speaks for itself. I also very much...

Seanad: An Appreciation of the Life and Work of Seamus Heaney: Statements (3 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Like others I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak during this debate paying tribute to the late Seamus Heaney following his sad and most untimely death. I also welcome Marie to the House and extend sincere condolences to her, as well as to Mick, Christopher and Catherine Ann, as well as to her grandchildren and family. I also welcome Professors Kennelly and Brown and other...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: That is not true. It is absolutely not true.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I am delighted time has been set aside for statements of appreciation on the life and work of Seamus Heaney who was hugely respected and loved nationally and internationally. I, too, commend Senator Quinn on the introduction last night of the Bill on upward only rent reviews, which is a hugely important issue. While I did not speak at length on it, I did contribute to the debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: As acknowledged by Senator Darragh O'Brien, this is not the first Government to face difficulties in tackling this issue. I acknowledged in my contribution last night that the previous Government had tried to tackle it. There is an underlying problem, which should be debated in the Seanad, namely, the elevated protection of property rights in the Constitution. I would welcome an honest...

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I commend Senator Feargal Quinn on introducing the Bill, which seeks to tackle a real and pressing issue for many people, especially those working in retail and running retail businesses. The issue was raised with many of us in the lifetime of the previous Government as well as since the 2011 election. The issue of upward-only rent reviews was...

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: That is right. As Senator Byrne said, it was not only about property rights. The striking down of the Bill was also related to the position of the family in Article 41 of the Constitution. The judgment was that the Bill went too far in encroaching upon the right of the family to decide for itself on what basis the ownership of the family home would be allocated. These are simply two...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I commend Senator White on her work on this matter. She has shown a long-term commitment to the issue of rights of older people. We had a session with the public consultation committee in the Seanad on that very issue but I would support her call for a debate to further that work in the future. Yesterday she mentioned that it was United Nations International Day of Older Persons, which I...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I have not yet received a response, but I will-----

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I commend those involved in organising the Trinity College public debate on the Seanad referendum last night. I am glad to say that the "No" side won handsomely. My colleague, Senator Barrett, spoke passionately at it. The reports have been good. Will the Leader arrange for an early debate on the reports of the Constitutional Convention? Like many, I was in attendance at the weekend when...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: We were ahead of the Lower House. We are still awaiting a final Bill from the Dáil. It would be good for this House to debate the most effective strategy for emissions reductions and independent oversight and monitoring of the targets that must be set to combat this overwhelming threat to human life.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Like Senator Darragh O'Brien, I wish to express my horror and outrage at the attack on the two young girls in Athlone reported at the weekend. Everyone will share this feeling of disgust. The Senator was quite right to say that this was a matter for the Garda. We should all commend the Garda on its proactive investigation and leave the matter at that in terms of public comment. It was an...

Seanad: Ombudsman Act 1980 (Section 4(10)) Order 2013: Motion (26 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Ombudsman Act 1980 (Section 4(10)) Order 2013,copies of which Order in draft were laid before Seanad Eireann on 6th September 2013.”.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: We debated the nature of the banking inquiry here with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, on Tuesday evening. Senator Conway praised Senator Norris's appearance on Today FM, which I hear was a very powerful performance. He also commented on the Fine Gael posters and on the integrity of politics as a profession. I agree with his sentiments. I have dealt with...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: He makes a point of doing so where possible. This week we also had the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton in the House dealing with the Pathways to Work programme and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, was here twice, with the commencement order and then on the Protected Disclosures Bill. I am simply reminding my colleagues of that.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I cannot accept the proposed amendment to the Order of Business today. I absolutely accept the importance of the issue and am conscious that other colleagues have sought debates on budgetary issues on previous occasions. I will ask the Leader again about arranging those debates. In respect of the 9% VAT rate, which several colleagues have raised, there is universal acceptance of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: We will defend that right, indeed. Arthur's day was mentioned by a number of colleagues, with Senator Coghlan describing it as a mixed blessing. The key message is for the safe enjoyment of Arthur's day. I know there is a matter on the Adjournment dealing specifically with the Garda costs and I understand that Diageo is contributing to those costs.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I am sure we will get a full answer during the Adjournment debate. Senator Barrett referred to the tight deadline for amendments to the Taxi Regulation Bill. Staff of the Bills Office are extremely hard working and all of us will have found them to be most understanding and accommodating where Members have particular difficulties with tight deadlines. I agree that it is unfortunate when...