Results 8,761-8,780 of 11,441 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of order, the country was bankrupted by the previous Government; that is why the IMF, the European Union and the ECB came in.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Delusional.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the issue of water charges. I have gone on record in the House previously - I am happy to do so again - to indicate that I am very much in favour of such charges. It is important to ensure sustainable use of this scarce resource. As has been stated previously, so much rain falls in Ireland that it is difficult to believe it is a scarce resource. It is,...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: In other countries where people are charged for the use of water, the price falls and it becomes more economical. In principle, I am very supportive of the notion of water charges. I accept, however, that there are some issues with regard to how such charges will be imposed. I was certainly dismayed to read the comments attributed to one person who suggested that it would be difficult to...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Certain comments have been made by one individual who is not the decision maker in respect of this matter. The decision makers are in the Cabinet.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: The decision makers in respect of water charges are in the Cabinet.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: If I could finish, the decision makers in respect of this matter are all in the Cabinet. It is important that they should make a decision based on the experience elsewhere. Ireland is the only country in the OECD which does not charge citizens for water. I presume that other countries have overcome the difficulties relating to putting meters in place in apartments. Professor Richard Tol...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: -----rather than being obliged to pay an average charge. I am sure there is a way around the difficulties in this regard. Water charges are not about to be introduced imminently and there is time to achieve a solution that will be both sensible and sustainable. The Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union)...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I commented approvingly on yesterday's Order of Business on David Begg's very sensible-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: David Begg made a very sensible contribution.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: If Senator Norris would allow me to speak, I believe he will be interested in what I am about to ask the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I am requesting a debate on the forthcoming merger of the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission. The working group's report was published late last week and it contains some sensible and worthy suggestions, including that the new entity - the Irish human rights and quality commission - be independent and adequately resourced in order to allow it to carry out its task.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I request a debate on the merger on the basis of the report to which I refer.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: Like Senator Darragh O'Brien, I am grateful to the Leader, Senator Cummins, for setting out the reasons for the changes to the schedule of business for this week. All Members will agree it is unfortunate those changes needed to be made and the House will now not sit on Thursday. I am sure everyone accepts that, in view of the need to allow time for amendments to be tabled to the Social...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I am glad we will not be debating the Bill in its entirety on one day. Arranging for it to be debated on Friday and Monday next will ensure there will be more time between Stages, which is preferable. I also welcome today's debate on the Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012. I again agree with...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: There is no use of the word "austerity" in the treaty. I look forward to the debate. It is timely we are having the debate today-----

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: The alternative is far more instability. That is the reality.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: I have not heard one person who is advocating a "No" vote explain to me what the better outcome would be if there was a "No" vote. Nobody has explained to me what he or she suggests would be a better outcome. It is timely we are looking at the result of the first round of the French presidential election, and I very much hope to see Monsieur Hollande win, but it is a very real concern-----

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: -----to see nearly one in five French voters voting number one for the National Front. That is a real wake-up call to all of us. I acknowledge this is an unusual idea but I ask the Leader that we might have a debate in 12 months time on the progress in the year since the passing of the Bill to prohibit female genital mutilation, FGM, which legislation was initiated in this House. I note...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Ivana Bacik: The Senator can read the treaty.