Blog Archive
'This House Believes Theism is a Reasonable Philosophical Stance' - Metafizz presents Hitchens, Masterson, Nugent, Bacik in
Posted on January 18, 2016
Debate: 'This House Believes Theism is a Reasonable Philosophical Stance' - hosted by The METAFIZZ: a Philosophers' Society.
On Monday 18th January, 2016 I was invited to speak at this Trinity debate organised by The Metafizz: a Philospher's Society.
New Year - First Order of Business, Seanad Éireann 2016
Posted on January 14, 2016
Order of Business, Seanad Éireann
Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Senator Ivana Bacik: 'I join others in wishing you, a Chathaoirligh, your staff and all present a happy new year. I also congratulate Mr. Peter Finnegan on his new appointment. I thank the Leader for facilitating a debate on flooding next week.
Seanad Electoral Register Deadline Feb 26th 2016 - University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin Graduates
Posted on January 07, 2016
Seanad Éireann Election 2016 - Making sure you are registered to vote!
Despite the speculations and predictions we don't have an official date for the General or Seanad Election 2016. However, we do know that the Seanad electoral register deadline is Friday 26th February 2016. So if you are a Trinity College Dublin graduate and you plan to vote then make sure they have your correct and up-to-date details using the form linked below.
Media coverage from Labour Women Repeal the 8th Amendment policy publication
Posted on December 19, 2015
Media coverage from Labour Women Repeal the 8th Amendment policy publication
Her.ie December 2015
'It will allow abortion on four medically certified grounds: risk to life; risk to health; rape; and fatal foetal abnormality. The test for assessing risk to health will be that of “real and substantial risk”, a test with which doctors are familiar from existing law. A stricter test will apply for risk to health where abortion is sought beyond the first trimester. '
http://www.her.ie/news/labour-party-launches-repeal-the-eight-amendment-bill/266529
SEANAD NEWS December 2015
Posted on December 17, 2015
SEANAD NEWS December 2015
As we approach the Christmas break, here's a short update on the work that I have been doing politically in recent months. As always, you will see more information on all these issues and more in the various sections of the website, on facebook (ivana bacik) and twitter (@ivanabacik).
May I wish you the very best wishes for Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Many thanks for your continued support,
Very best wishes, Ivana.
Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 passes final stages in the Seanad
Posted on December 15, 2015
Great to see the Assisted Decision Making Bill pass final stage in the Seanad. Here is a contribution I made at Second Stage.
Seanad Update: Justice and Equality week!
Posted on December 11, 2015
Seanad Update: Human Rights - Justice and Equality week!
7-11th December,
Direct Provision: Welcome the proposals being debated through the stages of the International Protection Bill 2015
Posted on December 10, 2015
Direct Provision: Welcome the proposals being debated through the stages of the International Protection Bill 2015
Like many of my colleagues in both Houses I have called for a number of debates and spoken passionately on a number of occasions on Direct Provision and the desperate need for reform. I welcomed this week's debate and while it isn't wholly conclusive I do see this Bill as a significant improvement. Let us be honest about it. We know that we have limited time left in the lifetime of the Government. Let us try to get the Bill through, improve it as it goes through, engage constructively on it with the Government to seek to bring about the other recommendations of the working group as they relate to direct provision and work towards the future overarching immigration law reform we so badly need. This is the first step which is welcome and long overdue.
The link below will link you to the many contributions I have made and raised on Direct Provision.
End of term - busy schedule and lots on the agenda!
Posted on December 04, 2015
End of term - busy schedule and lots on the agenda!
This time of year is always busy as we wrap up before the Christmas holidays and there is much on the Seanad, Dáil and Committee agenda's. Here are a few issues I raised this week in the Order of Business, 1-3rd December 2015
The House recently concluded a debate on the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill, which was very welcome, but in the new year I would like us to have a debate on how best to implement the policy in the Bill and how best to ensure we meet our targets in light of whatever decisions are made in Paris. I know all colleagues will want to join in expressing hope for a positive and effective agreement among the international leaders represented in Paris. I welcome the speech by the US President, Barack Obama, at the Paris summit yesterday, where he pointed out that the Paris conference is a potential turning point for us in respect of curbing global warming. We are at a critical point to try to ensure we do not see it take hold, with the dire consequences we all know will occur. I concur with Senator Ó Murchú's comments on Ireland's role in this. Clearly, it will be difficult for us to seek to meet the 20% reduction by 2020, particularly because of our agricultural emissions, but we have a duty to ensure that we try to meet these targets.
I welcome the Northern Ireland High Court decision yesterday, by Judge Mark Horner, in a case taken by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The judge found a breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in respect of the failure to provide for abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality and rape. Clearly, there are implications for this jurisdiction, but the Leader has agreed already to a debate on that in the new year.
Success as Section 37.1 Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013 is finally passed!
Posted on December 04, 2015
So pleased to finally see this amendment to the Employment Equality Act finally passed and justice prevailed for LGBT workers in the Education and Health Care field. Congratulations to all who worked so hard and for so long to add to what has been a great year for equality measures!
I first introduced the amendment of Section 37.1 back in March 2013 and I'm thrilled to see its completion. #Equality
http://ivanabacik.com/blog/2015/02/19/section-371-update-employment-equality-amendment-n/