Results 11,321-11,340 of 11,469 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I am replying to comments made by the Minister of State, who suggested that people who tabled amendments seeking longer opening times had somehow done so at the behest of lobbyists or vested interests. I take exception to that assertion. The one vested interest group to which the Minister of State did not refer is that which comprises consumers. I have attended nightclubs and bars — and...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of information, I agree with the Minister of State that is an important issue, but it is addressed in section 16, which permits the Minister to make regulations prohibiting or restricting licensees from selling intoxicating liquor at a reduced price. I support that and believe it is a sensible and moderate approach. It does not ban below cost selling, but it imposes restrictions...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I too support Senator Regan's amendment. The present system of nightclubs operating under the guise of theatre licences is inappropriate and it is time that we clarified the law by regulating them properly. Some of us frequent nightclubs.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: We do not do so every night of the week. It is reasonable that people should be able to frequent nightclubs which stay open later than pubs. A system of sequential closing should be introduced because public safety is a real concern when large numbers of people spill out on to the streets at any one time. Difficulties arise in terms of public transport and safety for young people who walk...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: The last contribution sounded like a request to the Leader for a debate on interruptions, which would perhaps be unusual. I echo the words of other Senators in calling for clarity on the cutbacks proposed by the Government. It is adding insult to injury to suggest serious cutbacks will be made while the House will be in recess for the summer and not tell Members the exact nature of those...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: In that context, will the Leader consider a debate on violence against women and children early in the next session. One criminal justice case that received national attention in recent weeks, of which we are all very aware, concerned issues within family relationships. The high profile of the case should not detract from the fact that the majority of cases of domestic violence or violence...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I echo the remarks of Senator Norris. Regarding the amendment groupings just distributed, I have proposed amendment No. 9. I have been told it is proposed to be grouped with amendment No. 8 and amendment No. 8a, which I have not yet received.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: Along with several colleagues, I have previously raised the matter of the process by which this Bill is brought before the House, which is not only a matter for the Seanad but for the process as a whole. The Government is seeking to rush the Bill through the House on the last sitting day before the recess. The Dáil will not be in a position to deal with the Bill if it is forwarded. I...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. More comprehensive legislation on the sale of alcohol is promised for the autumn but this Bill represents some important policy principles. Unfortunately, for a number of reasons that I will go through, it is a missed opportunity in terms of tackling problems associated with alcohol abuse. This...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: Certain contributors have railed at length about the youth of today but I do not believe they are any more prone to excessive drinking than the youth of other generations. There always has been alcohol abuse, among all age groups, and it was a much more serious problem before drink driving legislation was enacted. Most Members will recognise that younger people are more likely not to drink...

Seanad: Housing Market: Statements (8 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: With the permission of the House I will share time with Senator Pearse Doherty. I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I welcome the opportunity to have a debate on housing. It is very important to have this debate. I read with interest the statement of the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, and I am pleased he has addressed in such detail the issue of social and affordable...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: On a point of order, Committee Stage amendments must be in at 11 a.m. tomorrow, before Second Stage even begins.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: There is no question but that it is being rushed.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I support Senator Regan's comments about rushing through the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. I agree entirely that it seems most inappropriate to give such a short time in the Seanad to such an important Bill. I do not see what the urgency is. Why can the Deputy Leader not arrange for more time to be given to the debate in the autumn?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: That would be worth doing. I support Senator Fitzgerald's call for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come to the House for a debate on the economy. At a time when we are hearing from the Government about what it calls necessary savings or adjustments but what any sane person would call cutbacks, and in view of the fact that these cutbacks will hurt the most vulnerable, it...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: We do know.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: The debate has been very civilised here and is generally of a very high quality. I do not think people have been engaged in name calling for the sake of it.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: It seems the dinosaurs have thin skins if people are objecting to the sort of language that has been used.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I think the language has been temperate. We deal with great courtesy with people who express views that are deeply offensive to friends and colleagues. I join other Members of the House in welcoming the release of Ingrid Betancourt and the other hostages. I pay tribute to the group in Ireland that campaigned for her release for many years and which was represented on "Morning Ireland" this...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Ivana Bacik: Unfortunately, an amendment may be required to enact effective codifying legislation to cover this. I ask the Leader for a debate in this House. I welcome the Leader's announcement that we will have a debate on the economy next week. As the rain comes down and interest rates go up, this is a clear time of gloom for us all on the economy. What is important in any debate, as was said...