Results 11,621-11,640 of 11,695 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (19 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: With the permission of the House, I wish to share time with Senator O'Toole.

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (19 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: I echo the concerns expressed by Senator Fitzgerald about the lack of time we have had to review and scrutinise the provisions of the Bill. There has been undue haste with the way in which it has been brought before us, in particular, because there is such a raft of amendments that the Bill purports to make, not just in the sections but also in the Schedules, and particularly in Schedule 1....

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: I support Senator McFadden's amendment on paternity leave, an issue on which I have spoken previously in this House. There is a real need to consider introducing paternity leave. The Minister spoke yesterday about changes to parental leave but paternity leave should be regarded as something different from parental leave because parental leave is an entitlement for both parents. Paid...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: I support Senator McFadden's amendment, which seeks to deal with an issue I have raised on a number of occasions. I launched a campaign over a year ago to seek to restore universal child benefit to the children of asylum seekers who are being dealt with under the direct provision programme. The campaign is co-ordinated by the Free Legal Advice Centres and supported by a range of...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: We have heard much about U-turns. The difference between a U-turn and a climbdown is as clear cut as the difference between a statutory instrument and a ministerial order or the difference between a whip-round and a dig-out. All these terms are vaguely defined. The decision on water charges for schools is a welcome U-turn by the Government. There has been another welcome U-turn for the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: I am seeking a debate from the Leader on the need for another U-turn on the policy on children. There is a need for the removal of the habitual residence condition on child benefit. I have raised this before in the House and Senator McFadden has an amendment on it to the Social Welfare Bill. It is supposed to be a universal benefit but is denied to the children of asylum seekers in direct...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: The Government needs to do another U-turn on this matter. For Senator Mary White's information, the chair of the Irish Childcare Policy Network stated the new announcement by the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith, does not go far enough to meet the needs of the community child care providers. Further U-turns are needed in this area.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: I join with other colleagues in congratulating Senator Norris on the launch of his archive. I attended the event yesterday, which was a great occasion. I wish to raise two issues on which we have held debates before and which I hope may be debated this week. The first is a motion seeking the release of Íngrid Betancourt, which I believe has all-party agreement in the House. If it could be...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: Senator Kelly may have got some more. I do not want to precipitate such a flood of e-mails again. However, there will be real concern among the groups supporting the Bill. We can blame the Leader and not me if that is the case.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: What happens when it goes to Committee Stage?

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: I thank Senator Cassidy.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: I wanted to raise an issue that the House has already debated. On a day that we are due to debate integration, it is appropriate to ask the Leader to convene a debate in the new year on the Government's child care policy, in particular the changes proposed to subventions to the community child care scheme. I and other colleagues from both Houses attended a very helpful briefing yesterday...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: I am obliged. It is important that we return to this issue in the new year and debate it again.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: The ICPN made a very specific request that this decision be deferred until the end of next year to enable further negotiations and consultations to take place with the Minister and other interest groups. We could help that process in this House by debating it. I would also like the Leader to respond to the motion that was agreed on Ingrid Betancourt. I know the deputy Leader of the House...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: I am grateful to Senators Harris and O'Toole for raising the issue of yesterday's debate. It is important that when we have a debate on drugs, mandatory testing and other issues, it would be conducted in a rational and civilised manner. I was very disappointed yesterday to be subjected to the sort of barracking that took place. It was a lazy response. I was delighted that last night's...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: I support the calls made by Senators Norris and Hannigan for a debate on extraordinary rendition. The report of the Irish Human Rights Commission makes serious claims which should be debated in the House as a matter of urgency. It is important we ensure Ireland does not breach human rights obligations in this regard. In response to the calls for a debate on the drugs issue, while all...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: A strong case can be made for roadside drug testing as we already have roadside alcohol testing. The knee-jerk hysteria we hear whenever the issue of drugs is discussed is not the way to tackle the problem or help the real victims.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: Accusing people of being soft on drugs is typical of the kind of hysteria that accompanies this debate and does not help anybody, especially the real victims such as the unfortunate couriers and others shown on the streets in the "Prime Time Investigates" programme last night.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: Our concerns should be with the real victims. The Simon Community has produced a report showing that many people are homeless on the streets as a result of drink, drugs and psychiatric problems. Homelessness is linked to the issue of prison. If the House debates homelessness, and I called for such a debate last week, it should also debate prison policy because many of those who leave...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Ivana Bacik: There appears to be cross-party support for a motion calling for the release of Íngrid Betancourt. I am delighted Senator Fitzgerald and others have raised the issue again. Yesterday, I asked the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House for a debate on prison reform. A sum of €14 million has been allocated in the budget for the expansion of the...