Blog Archive
'Bringing ESC Rights Home' - Amnesty Ireland Report launch
Posted on October 08, 2014

Today I attended the launch of the Amnesty International Ireland Report on ESC Rights, 'Bringing ESC Rights Home'.
Following the launch I used the opportunity through the Order of Business to ask the Leader to arrange a debate highlighting the economic, social and cultural rights that Amnesty Ireland have reported on.
Order of Business - 8/10/14
Outside Leinster House with the Alzheimer's Society Ireland - members of the National Dementia Strategy
Posted on October 02, 2014

Outside Leinster House with the Alzheimer's Society Ireland - members of the National Dementia Strategy.
'37.1' - a short film on Section 37.1 (Employment Equality Act)
Posted on September 25, 2014

'37.1' http://youtu.be/9mGDbjq45lg
Congratulations and many thanks to Carly Hamilton for highlighting the important issues and concerns that effect LGBT lives, particularly staff in the teaching profession who currently face discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation in religious run institutions.
Section 37.1 of the the Employment Equality Act is soon to be amended and this video captures the urgency of getting it passed soon.
RTE News: IMMA Board Appointment
Posted on September 24, 2014

http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0923/645762-politics/
Senator Bacik Welcomes Minister of State Aodhan O’Riordain's Commitment to Securing Equality Laws
Posted on September 11, 2014

I am delighted to hear the news that Minister of State Aodhan O’Riordain, Department of Justice & Equality, has this week announced his commitment to working with senators in the coming months to advance legislation that will amend Section 37.1 of the Employment Equality Act.
Big splash for MND Research
Posted on September 11, 2014

Ice Bucket Challenge, Trinity College Dublin, 29th August 2014
It was great fun and an honour to support the Trinity College Dublin hosted Ice Bucket Challenge last month. Congratulations and many thanks to Professor Orla Hardiman and her research team who organised the event.
Trinity received the Ice Bucket Challenge from Sheffield University http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/ice-bucket-challenge-sitran-1.398542 and Professor Hardiman received personal challenges from a number of people including her MND patients, but kindly extended the invite and over 50 staff, students and Oireachtas body members willingly volunteered themselves in support of the MND fundraiser.
'Business as usual amid political inaction on abortion' - Irish Times, 20th August 2014
Posted on September 04, 2014

'Business as usual amid political inaction on abortion - Analysis: Small number of politicians not shy about taking to airwaves over controversy', Mary Minihan, Irish Times, Wed 20th August, 2014
Press coverage - Irish Times, 'Life Free From Fear' report launch
Posted on September 03, 2014

'Ireland is ‘outlier’ without legislation on hate crime; Ivana Bacik hopes ‘controversial’ proposals will be adopted by Government', Mary Minihan, Irish Times, Tues Sept 3, 2014
Press Coverage - The Journal.ie 'Calls for Ireland to legislate against online hate crime'
Posted on September 02, 2014

'Calls for Ireland to legislate against online hate crime - A new report from the University of Limerick finds Ireland to be out of step with international legislation on hate crime.' Michael Sheils McNamee, thejournal.ie
http://www.thejournal.ie/hate-crime-online-racism-ireland-new-report-1650047-Sep2014/
Newstalk Coverage: New report calls for tougher sentences for hate crimes
Posted on September 02, 2014

New report calls for tougher sentences for hate crimes
Researchers want to see the creation of new offences and longer jail terms
Senator Ivana Bacik says there is a lack of laws that deal with hate crime in Ireland...