Senator Bacik supports September Blue Day

Order of Business

21^st September 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik: I join Senator O'Brien in expressing concern about the rumour, and it is only a rumour at this stage, of prospective job losses at Aviva. The trickle of rumour leaves the employees in Aviva in an appalling position of uncertainty. Coming on the heels of the TalkTalk announcement, it gives rise to grave concern. We in the Labour group will have private Members' time next week when we will seek to address this issue of big companies pulling out and leaving our workers in the lurch, particularly at such short notice.

I wish to take up a point raised by Senator Darragh O'Brien on Palestinian statehood. There are no mixed messages here. What the Tánaiste is seeking to do is to change the EU position because the Irish position - the Labour Party and the Government position - has always been supportive of Palestinian demands. Senator O'Brien and his colleagues will see that the Government motion, No. 14, states that Seanad Éireann reaffirms the long-standing support of the Irish Government and people for the establishment of a Palestinian state. It is more nuanced because we are approaching such a----

Senator Darragh O'Brien: Motion No. 4 is much clearer.

Senator Ivana Bacik: As the Senator is well aware, we are seeking to do the best we can to support the Palestinian people's demands. Many of us individually signed the Sudaca advertisement in The Irish Times.

Senator Darragh O'Brien: As we did.

Senator Ivana Bacik: Many of the Labour Senators, myself included, and Deputies signed it. That is a long-standing position that I and my party hold and that the Tánaiste is seeking to promote in government.

Senator Darragh O'Brien: We still do not know whether we are going to support the Palestinian call.

Senator Ivana Bacik: We want to achieve an EU common position on that issue. That is a goal worth achieving.

Senator Thomas Byrne: Why can we not take the lead on it?

An Cathaoirleach: No interruptions please.

Senator Thomas Byrne: Protect the Government.

Senator Ivana Bacik: The Government is seeking to be careful about this, to promote the Palestinian cause in a way that is diplomatic and that tries to bring the other EU countries with us. If we cannot do that, then obviously we have to look at it again. The Tánaiste has been very fair about that.

Today is September blue day. I am not wearing blue myself - just to rub it in to my colleagues from Kerry - and although they may feel a bitter about it, I know some of them are wearing blue.

Senator Marie Moloney: It sits very hard but I will do it.

Senator Ivana Bacik: I am delighted that Senator Moloney is wearing blue today even though I am sure it goes against the grain. It is worthwhile that all of us support blue day, an initiative to promote men's cancer awareness. There has been a great deal of positive outcomes from the pink day for breast cancer. Research shows that women generally tend to be much more proactive about looking after their health. This is a good opportunity to promote men's cancer awareness, to support the Irish Cancer Society, which is having a briefing at 1 p.m. today, and to show our support by wearing blue. It is also an opportunity to show our support for the Dubs, if that was also necessary.