Results 9,681-9,700 of 11,477 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (24 Mar 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the passage of this Bill which is important legislation. I commend Senator Boyle and former Senator Déirdre de Búrca for promoting it. Like Senator Boyle I have two Private Members' Bills before the House, one on FGM and the other on climate chance. I very much hope that versions of those Bills will be passed by the Government. It is a strength of the Seanad that we have the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2011)

Ivana Bacik: It was a surprise to find myself in a different seat.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I am glad to hear the Senator describe his party as such. I have always thought of myself as a green red or a red green.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I join my colleagues in congratulating Senator Cummins on his new role as Leader of the House. I wish the best of luck both to those who are contesting the election as well as to those who are going on to other careers. I am told there is a life after politics. Given that the economy is uppermost in our minds, I hope the renegotiation of the IMF-EU deal will bear fruit. I am sure all of us...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (23 Mar 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the programme for Government. I compliment Senator O'Toole on initiating the motion by which we are convened today to debate it. We are debating it in the context of a new political atmosphere and in the presence of a new Minister, Deputy Shatter, whom I welcome to the House. While the election of 25 February was a matter of personal disappointment for...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (8 Mar 2011)

Ivana Bacik: My colleague, Senator Prendergast, has already spoken and I should like to be associated with the remarks made by her and other colleagues here today. They build a picture of a very fine man. I did not know him personally, nor serve with him, but what has been said has really painted a lovely picture of him. I join others in offering condolences to Senator Farrell's family, who are here today.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: This recommendation is important and it has merit. In answer to Senator Mullen, I would say it makes an explicit link between the date of the bank guarantee and the date of the passing of the Bill in respect of the information that is required on bankers' bonuses. It will have a chilling effect on the payment of such bonuses in the future. It is also information the public deserves to know...

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

Ivana Bacik: I reiterate what Senators Norris and Coffey stated, that all of us in this House fully support the necessary powers for the Revenue Commissioners to deal with tax evasion and tax defaulters. Clearly, no one seeks to make excuses or any case for tax evasion or tax default. In the Labour Party, we are very much in favour of rigorous methods being used in accordance with law to deal with tax...

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

Ivana Bacik: The Minister of State pointed to a safeguard earlier where approval by a principal officer or above was required at Revenue before powers could be exercised. I note in section 74(c) that a new provision is to be inserted, referring to an officer of specific rank within the Revenue Commissioners, whereby "authorised officer" means an officer of the Revenue Commissioners authorised in writing...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I move recommendation No. 1: In page 7, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following: 3.—Section 3 shall not come into operation save by order of the Minister which may only be made after the Minister has carried out an economic and social impact assessment of the introduction of the universal social charge, particularly in respect of those on medical cards or over the age of 70 who...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I am disappointed in the Minister's response. The changes he has made represent only a small concession and the universal social charge does have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: I am very disappointed he is not willing to agree to this minimal request that the impact of the charge be deferred until we have seen exactly what will be the impact on the lowest paid and the disadvantaged. The very least we could do is to defer the introduction of such a charge until a review has been carried out.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: That is not true.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: Like other Senators, I strongly support the recommendation. The passage of the civil partnership Bill, now an Act, was a highlight for many of us during our time in the House. It had support from both Houses. There is support for the measures necessary to equalise the position of civil partners and spouses in tax law. There is a timing matter because the first civil partnership ceremonies...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Ivana Bacik: The Senator is rehashing it.

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

Ivana Bacik: It seems anomalous that the deadline for the making of tax returns by the self-employed was extended again but was never changed in the case of capital acquisitions tax. Having separate dates creates an undue burden of extra bureaucracy. It is not just that the deadline is one month earlier but September is a significant month for manufacturing businesses, as the summer can be a quieter...

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.