Ivana Bacik

Order of Business

Senator Ivana Bacik: I echo calls for a debate on the future of Anglo Irish Bank, in particular. We need to discuss its future and the prospects for the orderly winding down for which the Labour Party has been calling, particularly in the light of the comments made yesterday by the bank’s chief executive to the effect that the bulk of the €22 billion of taxpayers’ money seems to be gone for good. He has accepted this. A debate on the issue is crucial at this time.

I renew my call to the Leader for a debate on the relationship between church and State in the light of the Catholic bishops’ comments on the Civil Partnership Bill, to which Senator O’Toole referred. The bishops have displayed extraordinary arrogance in intervening in this debate, describing the Bill as unconstitutional and calling for a free vote in the Oireachtas thereon. After the publication of the Ryan and Murphy reports and all the scandals that have rocked the Catholic Church, the church no longer has the voice of moral authority in this country. It is most unfortunate that, in what should be a secular republic, we are still seeing it intervene on matters of this nature.

Senator David Norris: Hear, hear.

Senator Ivana Bacik: Ironically, many of us are critical of the Civil Partnership Bill in that it does not go far enough. It does not provide for full equality and we should be seeking recognition for same-sex marriage. However, for sure, the Bill represents a great improvement for gay people. For that, it must be welcomed.

An Cathaoirleach: Is the Senator seeking a debate on the issue? She may not make a speech on it now.

Senator Ivana Bacik: I welcome the announcement by Israel this morning of a partial relaxation of the blockade of Gaza. Clearly, this does not go far enough to ensure the human rights of the people of Gaza. We must acknowledge and pay tribute to the great bravery of the volunteers on the aid flotilla, including the Irish volunteers on the MV Rachel Corrie, because their actions have clearly led to international outrage over Israel’s killing of nine Turkish activists. That led to the decision by Israel. While it must be welcomed, it does not go far enough. We need to have a debate on the role of Israel and our relationship with it, given that this week we have seen the expulsion by the Government of an official from the Israeli Embassy. This event was glossed over, given all the other great political events of the week, but we need to have a debate on the continuation of our diplomatic relations with Israel, a country that has now been seen to have been involved in the forgery of Irish passports.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 17th, 2010 at 11:10 am and is filed under News. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.