Seanad Newsletter February 2008
Click here to download the February 2008 newsletter in PDF format.
I am delighted to have joined Senators David Norris and Shane Ross in representing the graduates of Trinity College and the Dublin Institute of Technology.
Reform of the Seanad election system is long overdue, and I have consistently argued for change to make it more democratic. But despite the flaws in its structure, I believe that the Upper House can play a vital role in our parliamentary system.
Outstanding former representatives have used the Seanad as a platform to make valuable contributions to important debates on national and international issues. As a Senator, Mary Robinson famously pursued a radical agenda on issues like contraceptive reform in the 1970s and 1980s.
I would like to pay particular tribute to the great contribution of outgoing Senator Mary Henry, who retired in 2007. I hope to continue her campaigning work during the lifetime of this Seanad.
There is a view abroad that the liberal agenda has been achieved – but there is still so much to be done. I intend to use the Seanad as a launching pad for a new radical social agenda for this decade and beyond. I would really appreciate your support in this endeavour.
As a Senator, I am campaigning on issues such as the right to legal recognition for gay couples, childcare rights, abortion rights, paid paternity leave, educational equality, criminal justice reforms and environmental changes. I have been appointed as a member of the Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights and in that capacity will be working hard on a range of campaigns.
Since the Seanad began sitting in September 2007, I have already put forward a range of important and radical initiatives.
On 3rd October 2007, I launched a Climate Protection Bill which would bind the Government to making 3% cuts in carbon emissions every year between now and 2050. This Bill was backed by a whole range of environmental and development NGOs. For more information, see the Friends of the Earth website (www.foe.ie).
I have also called in the Seanad for the separation of Church and State, and the extension of multi-denominational schooling; for the introduction of paid paternity leave so that fathers could take time off work to help look after new babies; and for extension of universal child benefit payments to children of asylum-seekers.
I would be glad to raise these or other issues on your behalf in the Seanad – just email me on ivana.bacik@oireachtas.ie if you are interested.
I am deeply grateful to have been elected to represent the Dublin University constituency in the Seanad. Trinity graduates have a proud record of electing articulate, passionate and effective Senators. I will endeavour to be a hard-working, radical and committed representative over the years ahead.
Regards,
