Blog Archive
Commemorating the Srebrenica genocide - 20 Years on
Posted on July 08, 2015
Commemorating the Srebrenica genocide - 20 Years on
Order of Business: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No.2) Bill - Committee Stage
Posted on July 02, 2015
http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad2015070200002?opendocument#G00100
Thursday, 2 July 2015
Order of Business
I thank the Leader for scheduling the resumed Committee Stage of the Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill for this afternoon. I advise colleagues that this Bill started life as a Private Members' Bill introduced by Senator Moran and myself on behalf of the Labour Party in March 2013. On Second Stage, 11 Members spoke and, as such, there is significant interest in the legislation, which is intended to amend section 37 of the Employment Equality Act to ensure that discrimination against teachers, in particular, on the basis of sexuality or family status will no longer be possible. It is a very important Bill and there is great interest in it from civil society, the unions and LGBT rights groups. It was delayed and we had Committee Stage over two dates in March 2014, at which time there was again a great deal of interest from colleagues. In light of that, we are scheduling the resumption of Committee Stage, which will hopefully conclude this evening, as the Government has now approved a set of amendments for Report Stage. We hope Report Stage will take place next week. Those Senators who tabled amendments on Committee Stage, Senators Zappone and Power, have been briefed by the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, and a further briefing has been arranged for next Tuesday, 7 July, at 3 p.m. for all Senators with an interest in the Bill so that people can have a full briefing on what the Report Stage amendments will entail. The meeting will take place in meeting room C in LH 2000. I have circulated a notice on that at the request of the Minister of State. It is a very important Bill and it is a good day for the Seanad to see it progress as a Government Bill, having started life as a Private Members'
Order of Business: Justice For Clerys Workers - Workers Rights
Posted on July 02, 2015
Seanad Eireann - Order of Business
Wednesday, 1st July 2015
Yesterday in the Order of Business I used the opportunity to raise the issues and call again for a much needed debate with regards to the Clery's workers.
YouTube: Harmful and Malicious Electronic Communications Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members]Posted on July 01, 2015 Harmful and Malicious Electronic Communications Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members]Wednesday, 1 July 2015Watch my contribution yesterday in Seanad Éireann in support of my colleague Lorraine Higgins Harmful and Malicious Electronic Communications Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] For the full text of my transcript follow the Oireachtas website link below. Justice For Clerys - Workers RightsPosted on June 22, 2015  Justice For Clerys - Workers RightsSeanad Eireann Order of Business - Wednesday, 17 June 2015Last week in the Order of Business I called for a debate on the matters arising from the unforeseen Clerys shop closure on Friday 12th June. Václav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia - In his honourPosted on June 18, 2015  It was an honour to attent the unveiling of a bust in honour of the late Václav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, at 5 p.m. in Leinster House. This is an important event. Václav Havel, of course, was a real figurehead for democracy and democratic values across Central Europe, but also internationally. It is fitting that we are unveiling this memorial. I have been involved somewhat in the plans to unveil it and as somebody with Czech-Irish heritage, I am glad that we will have this bust in place in Leinster House from this afternoon. Irish Times coverage - Sen. Bacik won't be running in Dún Laoghaire General Election 2016Posted on June 10, 2015  Ivana Bacik will not contest general election in Dún Laoghaire“I’m going to stay in my own area, Dublin Bay South. I won’t contest in Dún Laoghaire. We’ll see what happens anywhere else,” she said. “My family circumstances have changed. I’ve two kids. We are very settled in our area.” For full Irish Times article follw the link - http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/ivana-bacik-will-not-contest-general-election-in-d%C3%BAn-laoghaire-1.2242810 Irish Times podcast review of May 22nd ElectionsPosted on May 25, 2015  Irish Times podcast review of May 22nd ElectionsPart of the excitement for all interested in politics and elections is the Count, the tally and county-by-county breakdown, here is a great podcast review and breakdown of the Referendum results from The Irish Times with Hugh Linehan. 62% Voted in Favour of Marriage Equality!Posted on May 25, 2015  Ireland said Yes to civil marriage equality for same-sex couples!In what can only be described as a landslide victory we saw a huge turnout around the country - 62% voted in favour of extending civil marriage to same-sex couples.It was a great day for Ireland, for democracy and for every Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender person and their friends and families. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/same-sex-marriage-may-be-legal-by-september-1.2224563Irish Times coverage Monday 25th May 2015. |