Results 9,661-9,680 of 11,441 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Why are the dates different? The Minister of State indicated that it is quite common for there to be different deadlines in respect of the payment of various tax returns. I accept that. However, why are the dates relating to the self-employed and CAT different when it is clear that the original intention was for the same date to apply in respect of them? I do not believe the Minister of...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I echo the concerns raised by other speakers on this provision. Can the Minister clarify to what extent this provision expands the existing powers of the Revenue Commissioners under section 1002 of the principal Act, the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997? It seems to bring about a significant expansion of the existing power of the Revenue Commissioners, and that is a very valid concern.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State. This section relates to stamp duty. Many Members have been contacted by first-time residential property buyers who were formerly exempt from stamp duty in the past number of days. They have not only experienced a reduction in their pay packets, an increase in the cost of their health insurance and the impact of the universally detested USC but they will...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I hope we will get an opportunity to discuss it on Report Stage. I would like the Minister of State to clarify the position in respect of stamp duty in section 66 and to put on record the concerns of first-time buyers such as those who have been in touch with us by e-mail.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: In my initial contribution I acknowledged that the budgetary changes resulted in many people making savings on stamp duty. As the Minister of State will be aware from his own experience as Minister with responsibility for housing, however, there was more activity in the housing market among first-time buyers, even given the unstable and weak property market we have seen recently, precisely...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I did say I recognised there was some attempt at providing a transitional arrangement in section 66(3), but it is clear that people who had contemplated buying a house will still be caught. The Minister of State has accepted that first-time buyers who had contemplated buying a house had put their finances in order for a particular sum and must now face having to find a substantial additional...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Minister and staff in the Department for dealing with the Bill. I also thank the Minister for answering the queries I raised and the concerns I voiced about the Bill. This is probably the last legislative measure the Seanad will pass other than the Finance Bill, although who knows what will happen with that Bill.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: The last justice Bill.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Smith, and congratulate him on assuming his new ministerial role, albeit short-lived. We are debating the Bill in surreal times, with general political attention focused elsewhere on the finance Bill.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: As I would like to finish it now, I will be brief. The Labour Party recognises that the legislation stems from the Dillon case which the Minister explained and, as such, did not oppose it in the Dáil. Likewise, it will not oppose its passage in this House. The offences provided for in sections 5 and 6 relating to living off the proceeds of and organising begging are welcome. Deputy...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Of course, we do not. I will finish on this point. Barnardos is concerned children could be prosecuted for begging. Others have pointed out that those who are living in poverty or homelessness could also be targeted. These were the concerns raised by the Labour Party in the Dáil. However, we are not opposing the Bill's passage.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I agree with Senators Fitzgerald and Alex White that the instability of the current Government is demonstrated by the fact that we still do not know whether the Finance Bill will pass. The Government clearly has no popular mandate and it is essential we have an election date as soon as possible. The lack of clarity about the date does affect the everyday lives of those outside the political...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I am just pointing out——

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Why not bring the election date forward? Let us have it the previous week.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: All I am saying is the current political instability surrounding the election is causing enormous problems for people in their everyday lives.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: The solution we offered was to bring forward the motion of no confidence in the Government. This had the effect of ensuring a general election before the end of February. In terms of lack of clarity and instability, there were attempts——

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Yesterday, from the other side of the House, there were deliberate attempts made by Senator Feeney and others to muddy the waters concerning civil partnership. It was suggested those entering civil partnerships would be in some way prevented or delayed from doing so because amendments on civil partnership in the Finance Bill would not be made.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: It is true; I listened to Senator Feeney yesterday. The Labour Party has given a categorical commitment that the amendments necessary to ensure equity between civil partners and spouses will be brought forward in the finance (no. 2) Bill by 1 April, even if the Finance Bill is passed without the amendments in question made this week.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Civil partnership ceremonies may go ahead as planned in April. The chaos of the Finance Bill will not affect them and there will be no delays.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Is Senator Daly looking for more time?