Results 8,561-8,580 of 11,469 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I was delighted to agree wholeheartedly with Senator Darragh O'Brien when he said he agreed with the Tánaiste on the Croke Park deal. The Tánaiste stated very clearly the Government's position on the deal, which is that it stands. Irrespective of whatever kite-flying may be engaged in by individuals, that is the Government's position, on which the Tánaiste has been very clear. We had a...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: The Senator should allow me to finish. There is clearly both good and bad news. It is not such good news for those seeking to buy a house. If we take this statistic as a sign of generally increasing confidence in the economy, we can take it is good news, despite deploring price rises for house buyers. It is worthwhile welcoming the fact that Nuance International has announced the creation...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I enjoin other colleagues from yesterday who called for a debate on children's rights in light of the report, which has generated a great deal of controversy and discussion, on the deaths of children in care who were known to the HSE. Some 196 children died in the course of a decade. Senators van Turnhout, O'Keeffe and others stated yesterday that it is imperative that we debate the report...

Seanad: School Patronage (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, to the House and thank him for taking this matter. My question to the Minister for Education and Skills, which was timely given the announcement today of the Minister's action plan in response to the advisory group on the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, was specifically on the provision of additional multidenominational...

Seanad: School Patronage (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Can the Minister of State give me any more information in terms of the Portobello group? I am disappointed because there is nothing new in his response. The group is not looking for additional school accommodation. It is looking for a change in the type of school accommodation being provided in our area. That fits squarely within the need for transfer or divestment of patronage, and we...

Seanad: School Patronage (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I will do that. I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: That is a joke.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I move: That Seanad Éireann resolves that section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 (No. 32 of 2009) shall continue in operation for the period of 12 months beginning on 30th June, 2012.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I am always happy to debate Seanad reform, but this is not a debate on Seanad reform; it is a very specific debate on a motion put before us. It is unfortunate it came before us in the way it did. I do not see the urgency in having this debate today. I voted against having this debate today and I would much prefer to have had a really meaningful debate in the House with the Minister-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: -----present briefed on the issue. This would allow us to have a proper debate on reform of the Seanad. I have debated reform of the Seanad in a range of fora and I will do so again in UCD on 30 June at a conference celebrating 75 years of Bunreacht na hÉireann. My personal position is very clear. I favour reform rather than abolition of the Seanad and I would have preferred to see Seanad...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I move: That Seanad Éireann resolves that sections 2 to 4, 6 to 12, 14 and 17 of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 (No. 39 of 1998) shall continue in operation for the period of 12 months beginning on 30 June 2012.

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister to the House and the opportunity to debate again the review of the continuance in operation of the relevant provisions of the Offences against the Stage (Amendment) Act 1998. I declare an interest, having appeared in court representing people in connection with the legislation. I did speak on it last year and on every previous occasion. I said then and I say it again...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: It is not the case that the constitutional convention will only deal with two issues. Those two issues are to be covered in the first phase of the convention, but a range of other issues is due to be discussed under the auspices of the constitutional convention in the programme for Government and those issues will be considered. Many of us will press hard for the convention to be effective...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: There has been plenty of political commentary about people getting on their bikes and spokespersons. I would prefer to be referred to as a spokesperson rather than a spokesman. I urge colleagues to take up cycling as it is the best way to get around. Apart from keeping a person fit, cycling is the best and most efficient way of getting around and national bike week is an ideal opportunity...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: The Senator could cycle from his Dublin base to here.

Seanad: Referendum on the Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (14 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this timely debate, coming as it does two weeks to the day since the referendum on the stability treaty was passed on 31 May. This is an appropriate time for reflection on the consequences of the referendum and for a prognosis on what to do next. Listening to Senator Barrett, I am conscious that even in this two week period, dramatic developments...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (13 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and the opportunity to debate this long overdue legislation which has been broadly welcomed. I am also pleased it has been introduced in the Seanad first. The need for a statutory framework for the rehabilitation of offenders has long been recognised by those working in the criminal justice system. I must declare an interest as I am a...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: That is generous of Senator Daly.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: The Senator asked for feedback on the Bahrain trail. He will be aware I expressed the strong support of this side of the House, which was shared by everyone in the House, for the people of Bahrain and particularly for the doctors who are on trail and awaiting a verdict tomorrow. All of us were very impressed by Dr. Nada Dhaif who spoke on the news last night about the trial and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I wish Yeats Day in Sligo and Bloomsday in Dublin the best of luck. In the context of Bloomsday and Yeats Day I call for a debate on cultural tourism. I am conscious that events such as Bloomsday, and we hope also Yeats Day, bring in large numbers of tourists and visitors to different places. On the Adjournment yesterday I raised with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign...