Results 8,341-8,360 of 11,719 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

Ivana Bacik: We can certainly have a further debate on the matter. Senator Comiskey mentioned the upgrade of the N4. We all commiserate on last night's death on that road, but it might be a topic for a matter on the Adjournment. Senator Barrett raised the issue of the Taxi Regulation Bill. That debate is due to adjourn at 5.45 p.m., if not previously concluded. It will be rolled over if it is not...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

Ivana Bacik: -----and the Minister of State with responsibility for small business. Senator Daly raised the issue of flights. I have outlined the Government's position on Aer Lingus. Senator Burke referred to the issue of employing consultants. We might discuss it in the context of a fuller debate on the mortgage crisis and banking policy. Senator Cullinane mentioned the centenary of the 1913 Lock-out....

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I take that back. It sounds like I am dismissing the serious concerns of the Fianna Fáil Party and I am not. This is a serious issue for me also, as it is for all Senators. Senator Coghlan joined the Taoiseach and Tánaiste in sending good wishes to Pope Benedict XVI on his surprise resignation. Colleagues will be aware that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste made statements in response to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Yes. Senator van Turnhout spoke about the Chinese year of the snake. She also referred to the report by Ita Mangan which was referred to in this Chamber by the Minister, Deputy Burton. I thank Senator van Turnhout for reminding us about the report of the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare. I have made inquiries since she last raised it. An update has been sought. I understand...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the issue of the strength of the Garda force and station closures and proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, to which I cannot agree. We had a full debate on this issue last week in Private Members' time, which was taken by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter. I will certainly provide the Senator with a briefing on it, which I have...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I accept it is a serious matter and that is why I think the Senator should raise it directly with the Minister. As I said, he was in the House last week but I will certainly ask about getting him to come here for another debate on policing. I am very much open to doing that, as I know many Senators on both sides of the House have sought that. It would be worthwhile having a bigger debate...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

Ivana Bacik: It will be adjourned today at 5.45 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

Ivana Bacik: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the arrangements for the address to the House by Ms Phil Prendergast, MEP, on 13 February 2013, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business: No. 2, motion re opt-in under Article 4 of the 21st Protocol to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to the readmission agreements with the Governments of Macao, Sri...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of order. Far from it, the Government's policy is to ensure greater parental choice.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I have spoken in the House previously to welcome the initiative of the Minister, Deputy Quinn, in reviewing patronage in primary schools. There is a lack of choice available in schooling where we have more than 95% of primary schools under religious denominational control and only 65 multidenominational national schools out of almost 3,200 nationally. There is a clear disconnection and I...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: If there is a difficulty, it should be addressed. I understood that was precisely why the PPS number is sought. It is very important that parents in the areas being surveyed would return the surveys by 8 February so that we can get a good representative sample of parental views and preferences in the matter of their children's education. I hope we can then have a debate in this House on...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I wish to speak briefly on the principle of the amendments. We covered this in some detail on Second Stage, but I appreciate the opportunity to raise this matter again. I am grateful to the Irish Penal Reform Trust and the Mercy Law Resource Centre, which made submissions to us on the issue calling for more liberal provisions concerning the...

Seanad: Water Fluoridation: Motion (30 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I commend Senator Norris on tabling this motion which gave us a very valuable opportunity to debate an issue that is of pressing concern to many people as other colleagues have already said. I have some close friends who are very concerned about the matter and it was a good opportunity to air the views and genuine fears people have about...

Seanad: Water Fluoridation: Motion (30 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I was sure Senator Norris would have. There have been some strong reviews. A comprehensive review was established by a Fianna Fáil Minister for Health and Children and reported in 2002. Even after public consultation and taking on board all the evidence, it concluded that water fluoridation has been effective in improving the oral health of the Irish population, especially that of...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Certainly we can ask for a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the US Ambassador. Senator Pat O'Neill called for a similar debate and pointed out hypocrisy on the part of the Opposition on the hospitals issue. Senator Paschal Mooney raised the issue of the undocumented Irish on which there appears to be cross-party support for a debate. Senator John Gilroy asked if...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Certainly we can ask for a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the US Ambassador. Senator Pat O'Neill called for a similar debate and pointed out hypocrisy on the part of the Opposition on the hospitals issue. Senator Paschal Mooney raised the issue of the undocumented Irish on which there appears to be cross-party support for a debate. Senator John Gilroy asked if...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Senator O'Brien raised the issue of the epilepsy monitoring units in Beaumont and CUH in response to reports in the newspapers. The units are being developed under the HSE's national clinical care programme for epilepsy. Such monitoring is only required for the most difficult cases and the majority of patients have their care needs met through other epilepsy services, including newly...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: Yes, I will give the Senator a copy of the briefing.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: With regard to the other health-related issue the Senator raised, I have no difficulty asking the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Health to come to the House for a debate on health services. The Government is engaged in a radical programme of reform of health care. Targets for trolley numbers have been significantly reduced and waiting time targets for surgery are being met....

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Ivana Bacik: I have no problem debating it. I would like to invite the Minister for Health to the House to debate overall health care reform and how we are progressing on the route to a universal health care system that is genuinely fair and equitable for the first time in the history of the State. It is first time a Government has committed to this