Blog Archive | Human Rights
Order of Business, Seanad Éireann - Raised Matters (January 28th, 2016)
Posted on January 28, 2016
Order of Business, Seaand Éireann - Raised Matters
Thursday, 28 January 2016
Senator Ivana Bacik: I am grateful to the Leader for clarifying that the Seanad will sit next Tuesday and Wednesday, no matter what happens elsewhere. I also welcome the fact that we will have statements on the Report of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis on Tuesday because that gives us the opportunity to read what is in the report. Having read preliminary reports of it and its key aspects, I commend all those who were on the committee for the immense work they put into producing the report. I commend to Senators an excellent article by our colleague, Senator O’Keeffe, in The Irish Times today describing the work of the committee and, in very fair terms, some of its pitfalls and positive aspects and the lessons it holds for the future. Many things are now clearer as a result of the report, in particular serious matters in terms of the behaviour of the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator, which, we are told, informed the Government in September 2008 that the six institutions covered by the guarantee were solvent. That is a critical finding. I look forward to the debate on Tuesday.
https://www.labour.ie/news/press/2016/01/28/banking-inquiry-report-demonstrates-fianna-fails-m/
I welcome the publication yesterday of the first national maternity strategy, which many of those involved in maternity hospitals, the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, midwives and others have welcomed. This strategy will move in a very welcome fashion towards a non-hospital setting for childbirth and a stronger role for midwives in childbirth, where there are no complications. Women and midwives have campaigned for that for many years.
I also welcome the publication yesterday of the new skills strategy which will lead to 50,000 new apprenticeships being created over five years. That is critical to the continued strength of the economy and its growth. It will give new opportunities for many young adults in particular.
No Fry Zone! Order of Business - 27th January 2016
Posted on January 27, 2016
Order of Business, Seanad Éireann - Raised Matters
Senator Ivana Bacik: I commend Senator Noone who yesterday on the Commencement raised the issue of a no-fry zone. This is an issue that is getting a great deal of support, particularly from parents. It seeks new planning regulations to ensure that chip shops cannot be located within 500 m of a school. This is part of a drive for healthier living and healthier eating among children in order to tackle the very worrying levels of obesity. I commend the Senator on raising it and lend my support to the many parents' groups supporting the no-fry zone campaign.
Link to full transcript of the Order of Business, 27th January 2016
'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.
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.