Results 10,601-10,620 of 11,444 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: The Minister put a word in my mouth by suggesting I described Garda practice as haphazard. As I stated, Garda practice in dealing with victims of crime has greatly improved and victim satisfaction with the pre-trial and investigation process is greatly enhanced by the goodwill shown by many gardaí in providing information and acting as an informal liaison officer through, for example,...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: The Minister referred to amendment No. 50 and said it simply clarified the law on serving the book of evidence. The current law on it is perfectly clear. The amendment proposes to change rather than clarify it.

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I support the amendment. As Senator Regan said, it is very clearcut and simply seeks to put into statutory form the need for the court to be conscious that the victim has confirmed his or her awareness of the risk that disclosing the identity of the offender may result in disclosing the identity of the victim. The practice is that anonymity should remain protected, even where the victim...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: The Minister's reference to the proposed comprehensive sexual offences Bill is very welcome. Many of us have called for a codifying of the law on sexual offences, which is what the Minister proposes. It is both welcome and long overdue. However, in the short time I have been a Member of the House I have noted — I am sure Senator Regan will have seen this too — that where we table...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: Again, I thank the Minister for his full response but I reiterate Senator Regan's point that this amendment is self-contained and would be a change to procedure rather than the substantive law. I welcome that the process to codify the law on sex offences is ongoing. I should have declared my own interests, in that I am looking forward to working with the Office of the Director of Public...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I note that amendment No. 1 is consequential on amendment No. 50 which is clearly the substantive amendment. I am concerned about the practical impact of this proposed amendment and I wish to reserve my position on it for Report Stage. I ask for the opportunity to take soundings on it among other practitioners. I speak as someone who is a practising barrister and has worked a good deal in...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Minister for his full response. I am conscious Mr. Justice Fennelly's report maintained the principle that the time should run from the first appearance, albeit extending the time somewhat to reflect the greater reality. However, the principle espoused by the working group was important. My concern is that principle would be eroded by the proposed amendment and it would...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I wish to make a further brief comment. As I noted, I certainly intend to consult those at the coalface in representing people before the District Court and ask that the Minister's office does the same. While I am conscious that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is at the coalface, it only represents the prosecution and Members must also be conscious of the right of the...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I wish to speak generally in support of Senator Regan's amendments. These are very useful and very welcome. They are in keeping with the needs of victims. It is clear from any research done that what victims and those who complain that they were victims of crime require is to be kept informed of the progress of an investigation, of any developments in the investigation and pre-trial...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I ask the Leader for a debate on a positive matter - in contrast to some of the more negative issues about which we have been talking today - No. 32 on the Order Paper, a motion from the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, of which I am a member, noting the report of the joint committee on women's participation in politics, which was laid before the Seanad on 28...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: It is women, not ladies.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of order, it is women, rather than ladies.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Ivana Bacik: Will the Leader allow time for a debate on the report?

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Business Plan: Statements (29 Oct 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I wish to share time with Senator Hannigan.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Business Plan: Statements (29 Oct 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I join others in welcoming the Minister of State. I also welcome the draft business plan, albeit that I will be critical of it. It is useful to have a draft plan, but we have to treat it with caution given that, as the Minister said, the data on which the plan is based are provisional in nature. The estimates are based on data provided by the five credit institutions which are most likely...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I ask the Leader for a debate on a serious matter, namely, the operation of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. That may sound technical but it is the Act under which the commission of investigation into the archdiocese of Dublin and allegations of child sexual abuse in that diocese had been established. The commission is chaired by Judge Yvonne Murphy and was established in 2006....

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I am very concerned that the mechanics of the section may operate so as to compromise reports. We should all be very wary about this.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Ivana Bacik: An urgent debate on the operation of section 38 and how it could be improved upon to give a voice to the commission and to victims is essential at this time.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Ivana Bacik: I am very grateful to the Deputy Leader for that.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Ivana Bacik: As regards getting in tomorrow, those of us who did not get a chance to contribute today were detained on committee business elsewhere.