Results 9,141-9,160 of 11,469 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Senator O'Brien should know better than to speak about broken promises from his side of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I sat politely and listened with courtesy to what Senator O'Brien had to say.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: If I could be permitted to speak I would answer Senator O'Brien. I gave him a very full answer in my response to the Order of Business on Thursday concerning the Government's strategy on mortgage arrears. As Senator O'Brien knows, the Government is currently undertaking a consultation process due to be completed at the end of November.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Clearly I am not being allowed to respond.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I gave Senator O'Brien a clear outline of the Government's current strategy which, as he knows, is to engage in consultation. As I told him on Thursday, this is with a view to moving ahead on a pilot programme involving 500 households.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I told him this.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: The consultation process is to be completed at the end of this month and the Government will then proceed to publish the strategy. Senator O'Brien can rest assured that there is no shortage of advocates at the Cabinet table on behalf of those struggling with mortgage difficulties.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: A great deal more concern has been shown and a great deal more practical steps have been taken by this Government than were ever taken by the Senator's government.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: If Senator O'Brien's government had dealt better with the bills it had we might not be in the mess we are in.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I commend the Leader and the PCC's public consultation process we undertook on Thursday. Nine different groups addressed us to advocate the rights of older people. It was an instructive and enlightening process. We have moved ahead hugely in terms of knowledge about what is required. We heard a great deal about the draft UN convention and the various needs of older people. It is an...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Senator O'Brien asked for clarification on the mortgage arrears implementation strategy. I am glad to inform him that the Government is moving forward as a matter of urgency with the strategy. It is launching two mortgage-to-rent schemes on a pilot basis initially to test how they will operate ahead of a wider roll-out. One of the pilot schemes will cover a broad range of 500 households....

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I appreciate that we have been trying to get him to come to the House and I ask Senators to accept the good faith there. I think that has covered-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of Ministers' expenses, which is a debate we could well have. Ministers - certainly the Labour Ministers with whom I have discussed it - are very concerned about the issue and want to see it reformed. As the Senator knows there have already been significant cuts in ministerial pay since the Government came into office, but it would be very good to...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Ó Domhnaill also raised an issue relating to last night's debate, which I did not cover. As the Cathaoirleach said, what is said in the House is on the record of the House. If any Senator has a difficulty and disagrees with a statement to the press by another Senator, clearly he or she should take that up by issuing a counter-statement and if necessary including a transcript. I...

Seanad: Address by Dr. Mary Robinson (24 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: On behalf of the Labour Party group, I am delighted, Dr. Robinson, to welcome you very warmly back to the Seanad after some years. After hearing Senator O'Brien describe his intermediate certificate year in 1990, we all feel like elders in this House. I am so glad you are here today. Your career has been a credit to Ireland. You have represented us so well on the international stage and...

Seanad: Address by Dr. Mary Robinson (24 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: As Deputy Leader, I am deeply honoured to be asked to make some brief concluding comments and thank Dr. Robinson on behalf of the Leader of the House, Senator Cummins, and all our colleagues. We are so grateful to Dr. Robinson for accepting Senator Cummins's invitation to come before the Seanad to address us. We all thank her very much for her powerful advocacy over many years in promoting...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: The Order of Business is No. 1, address to the Seanad by Dr. Mary Robinson, president of the Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice, former Senator in this House and a colleague to some Members who were present at that time, President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to commence at 11.45 a.m. in accordance with the arrangements as set out in the motion...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Some of us do not need much sleep.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I join with Senator Darragh O'Brien in welcoming yesterday's announcement by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, of an inquiry in the Fr. Reynolds case. It is good that all Members acknowledge that such an inquiry needed to be established. Regarding Senator Darragh O'Brien's call for a pre-budget debate, there was one yesterday with the Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Of course, we all disagree across the floor of the House and we, when in opposition, had disagreements with Fianna Fáil Party Ministers. However, we do try to treat people with respect. In my time here, the Seanad has had a positive tradition of treating people with courtesy and respect when they are making points with which others may not agree.