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 2015

Watch 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.

http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad2015070100002?opendocument#A00100

Posted in: Children • Constitution • Human Rights • Justice • News • Social Policy

Justice For Clerys - Workers Rights

Posted on June 22, 2015

Justice For Clerys - Workers Rights

Seanad Eireann Order of Business - Wednesday, 17 June 2015

Last 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. 

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Posted in: Economy • Justice • News • Social Policy

Václav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia - In his honour

Posted 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.

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Beit Collection - National Treasures

Posted on June 18, 2015

http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad2015061800002?opendocument#G00100

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Posted in: Culture & Arts • News

Irish Times coverage - Sen. Bacik won't be running in Dún Laoghaire General Election 2016

Posted 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

Posted in: News • Seanad

Irish Times podcast review of May 22nd Elections

Posted on May 25, 2015

Irish Times podcast review of May 22nd Elections

Part 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. 

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Posted in: Constitution • Equality • Human Rights • LGBT Rights • News • Seanad • Social Policy

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-1.2224563

Irish Times coverage Monday 25th May 2015.

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Posted in: Children • Constitution • Equality • Europe/International • Human Rights • Justice • LGBT Rights • News • Social Policy • Women's Rights

2 days to go - let's all do what we can! #MarRef

Posted on May 20, 2015

Dear Supporters,

With just two days to go until the Marriage Equality referendum this Friday 22nd May, (7am-10pm) I am asking you to help ensure a high turnout and a majority vote in favour of this vital referendum which would enable gay couples to marry. I am out canvassing for a Yes vote every day, and I believe it could be very close. You will see below the text of an article I wrote that was published last week in the Irish Times, setting out my arguments for the referendum and responses to the No side  - "Three Reasons to Vote Yes-and Three Reasons Not to Vote No". 

You may find it helpful in persuading family and friends to support the referendum.

Please do your best over the next two days to help ensure that this referendum is passed, and most importantly don't forget to vote yourself on Friday!

Very best wishes,
Ivana


"Three Reasons to Vote Yes - and Three Reasons Not to Vote No
The marriage equality referendum debate has become increasingly intense in recent weeks, so it’s important to focus on the core issues at stake. Three key reasons to vote Yes.
1 Gay couples would be able to get married. The referendum, if passed, would allow gay couples to get married. It would insert the following 17 words into the Constitution: “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.” This new sentence would not define or redefine marriage. The constitutional protections for the “Family” and for the institution of marriage, on which the “Family” is founded, would both remain in place. But for the first time our gay sisters and brothers would have the same right to form a constitutional family that we heterosexuals take for granted.
2 We would have a more equal Ireland. If the referendum is passed, Ireland would join a growing European and international consensus that there is no valid legal basis on which to discriminate against same-sex couples. It would be an immensely positive vote for a more tolerant, inclusive and compassionate society.
3 The rights of children would be strengthened and affirmed. If passed, the referendum would affirm that the small number of children currently being brought up by same-sex couples could become part of a constitutionally protected family, valued by Irish society on an equal basis with other families. It would also reassure children who are themselves gay or lesbian that they are equal in law with their heterosexual siblings and friends. Then this nation really would cherish all its children equally – as promised in the 1916 Proclamation.
These are the key issues in the referendum – and the three most important reasons to vote Yes.

Three reasons not to vote No Here are three further reasons for a Yes vote – to reject the bogus claims being made by the No side.
1 Civil partnership is not equality. Civil partnership is not the same as civil marriage. It has no constitutional protection, and is only available to same-sex couples. The status, rights and responsibilities of civil partners can be changed at any time through legislation. Because civil partnership does not have constitutional status, access to it does not confer equal status with civil marriage.
2 This referendum will not affect adoption/ assisted human reproduction/surrogacy or child welfare laws. The No side argues that if same-sex couples are allowed to marry, they would automatically get a constitutional right to procreate using AHR or surrogacy – and that the Oireachtas would then be unable to legislate to differentiate between married gay or straight couples in respect of access to AHR or surrogacy.
There is absolutely no basis to this argument.
First, it ignores two key realities: a. the vast majority of couples availing of AHR or surrogacy at present are heterosexual; and b. there is no requirement that a person be married before they may avail of such services.
Second, there is no absolute right to procreation, even for heterosexual married couples. In the one case in which the Supreme Court has addressed this issue, Murray v Ireland, the court held that the State could negate the right of a married couple to engage in natural procreation, since they were both in prison. The courts have never recognised any right to procreate using donor eggs or sperm for heterosexual couples, married or not.
Third, any legislation concerning children will always be subject to the overriding “best interests of the child” principle enshrined in article 42A of the Constitution, which must be the primary focus of any legal regulation of parenting, including regulation of adoption, AHR or surrogacy.
The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, for example, provides already that gay couples may adopt, subject to this principle. Geoffrey Shannon, chair of the Adoption Authority, has confirmed that the adoption process will remain the same, regardless of the referendum’s outcome.
Similarly, the 2015 Act already provides for strict regulation of donor-assisted reproduction, and prohibits anonymous sperm donation. This will be unaffected by the referendum. Finally, whether the referendum is passed or not, the Oireachtas may prohibit or restrict access to surrogacy through legislation.
3 This referendum will not affect teaching in religious-run schools Some argue that religious schools may be sanctioned if they do not change their teaching to recognise same-sex marriage. This is ridiculous. The referendum is only about civil marriage; religions and religious-run schools will remain free to teach in accordance with their ethos. When civil divorce was introduced in 1995, this did not affect Catholic teaching on marriage.
This referendum is simply about equality; the equal right of same-sex couples to marry.
So let’s support our gay friends and relatives on 22nd May with a resounding Yes.
Ivana Bacik is Senator for Dublin University and Reid professor of criminal law at Trinity College Dublin."

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Posted in: Children • Constitution • Equality • Europe/International • Human Rights • Justice • LGBT Rights • News • Social Policy