Ivana Bacik

Order of Business

Thursday, 15 December 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik:     I agree with Senator O’Brien that we need a debate on the issues around the EU deal done last week and the question of whether we will have a referendum in the new year. I am delighted we will have the opportunity tomorrow, when the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton is here, to try to tease out the question of whether a referendum will be necessary and, if it is to be held, what it will be seen as. I did not hear the Minister for Finance’s initial comments, but I read the interview he gave to The Irish Times in which he says that the practical politics - the shorthand - will be whether we want to maintain Ireland’s position as a eurozone country. We need to tease out whether that is a correct interpretation of how it will be seen and that is a different question to the one as to the content of the referendum. We need more time to debate those issues.

I renew a call for a debate on an issue I raised earlier in the week, on Tuesday, on the ESRI-UCD report on changing family forms. This important report looks at the changing demographic in Ireland and the changing make-up of family and there are political consequences from this. One of these is the need for more flexible work practices and the case for paid paternity leave, even just for a short time, to enable fathers get greater recognition in the workplace. I seek a full debate on this in the new year. I noticed that during the debate on the Social Welfare Bill on Tuesday, the Minister, Deputy Burton, pointed out that the report has implications for social welfare policy and social protection and how payments will be made in the future. A debate on this would be very useful.

I also seek a debate on education. A report from the CSO today indicates that Ireland is joint first in the European Union for third level attainment among those aged between 25 and 34. Some 48% of these have a third level qualification, well above the EU average of one-third. This is interesting and a debate on the issue would be beneficial.

All of us will have huge concerns about the report from the historical inquiries team yesterday, on the Miami showband massacre in 1975, which showed the team found RUC special branch involvement. This is something we need to debate in the House.

Order of Business

Tuesday, 13 December 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik:     The Leader will respond to the Order of Business but in respect of developments in the eurozone, clearly things have moved on since we last met on Friday. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of detail as to what is in the agreement reached by the European leaders on Friday. We will need to wait and see the detail before we know for sure whether a referendum will be necessary here. The Taoiseach has already said it will be a number of months before that is likely. It is very much wait and see.

I understand Deputy Ó Ríordáin has raised a very specific issue with the Minister about the preservation of a small number of legacy posts in DEIS schools. It is fair to say the vast bulk of funding for DEIS schools was protected by the Minister in the budget last week.

I call for a debate on appointments. An issue was raised by a number of colleagues last week concerning the appointment of the Irish representative to the Council of Europe’s Committee on the Prevention of Torture. The person appointed from Ireland last week was the former Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality. Valid concerns were raised by colleagues about the outcome of the appointment process. It was understood somebody else would be appointed. I have asked the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality to investigate the matter in the new year as it is something it should do. The Minister for Justice and Equality should appear before the committee to explain the process by which the former Secretary General was appointed against what appears to have been the expressed preference of a sub-committee of the Council of Europe for one of the two academics also nominated by Ireland.

I also call for a debate on changing family forms. A very interesting study was published today by UCD and the ESRI on changing family forms. It shows the need for greater flexibility in terms of family leave arrangements from the workplace. It is something about which colleagues have talked. I have an article in The Journal.ie calling for paid paternity leave to be introduced. It is something for which I have been looking for a long time and it would make a huge difference to working families and in terms of fathers bonding with their children on birth. It is something for which I think there would be cross-party support.

Order of Business

Thursday, 1 December 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik:  I am calling for a debate in the new year on the reports that have been published by the Catholic Church’s own internal body, the National Board for Safeguarding Children, on a number of dioceses and child protection policies in those dioceses. Some of the findings are encouraging and demonstrate great improvement in practice but equally there are some that are very worrying about the dreadful and appalling recent failure by the church and its authorities in particular dioceses to protect children in those areas. We must debate that in light of the reports from within the church but also in light of the other reports that have been published over time about different failures in the church.

We also need to look at failures by the State in terms of inadequacies in State protections. Important steps were taken by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality which looked at the new legislation on withholding information to create a regime of mandatory reporting of child abuse. That was very welcome and we heard from a number of organisations, as we heard from organisations on the vetting Bill. It would be useful for this House to debate this in the new year to look at the panoply of legislative measures promised or in train by then. Not only have the heads of the vetting bureau Bill been published and comments made by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, we have made useful recommendations on foot of submissions made, will now do the same about withholding information and then see the Children First guidelines put on a statutory footing. All of this is in train and it is welcome the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have moved so swiftly on this. It would be useful in this House to review what has been done in light of the reports.

I also call for a debate on community policing. We had the Garda Commissioner before the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality this morning to speak about community policing. Some of what he said was extremely informative, particularly on the closure of Garda stations in rural areas and other matters. He gave an interesting response to a question I asked about February 2012 and the retirements at senior level and their effect on front-line policing services. It would be a useful debate for us to have in the House.

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK 

Labour Party Seanad leader and Spokesperson on Justice
Tuesday 29th November 2011

BACIK SPEAKS AT SONAS LAUNCH, CALLS FOR WOMEN’S REFUGE IN DUN LAOGHAIRE

Sonas Housing Association, which offers support, refuge and housing to women and children made homeless because of domestic and gender-based violence, today launched a feasibility study report recommending the establishment of a women’s refuge in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area.

Launching the report, Senator Ivana Bacik called for a women’s refuge to be set up in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area as a matter of urgency, saying:

“Domestic violence is undeniably a major cause of homelessness for women. Where the civil and criminal justice system fail to provide protection for women in the home, as we see happening in Ireland, women become forced to leave home and make themselves and their children homeless. However when there are no suitable refuge spaces for them, they may either be forced either to return home to danger; or to use inappropriate emergency bed and breakfast accommodation, where they will not get the support or security that they and their children need.

Ireland lags far below the European standard for provision of refuge spaces – we should have 424 places available nationally, but there are only 131 in total. There are no places at all available currently in Dun Laoghaire, yet this report shows that there is an urgent need for at least 8-10 family spaces to be provided in this area. It is imperative that we recognise the needs of women and children who are subject to abuse in their homes and that we take action now to tackle the serious incidence of homelessness which results from abuse.”

ENDS

Order of Business

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik:     On behalf of all of us, I congratulate the Irish team on the wonderful result in last night’s match against Estonia and I look forward to our participation, at last, in the championship next summer in Poland and Ukraine. That will be very exciting and a real morale boost for the country.

I thank my colleagues, Senators van Turnhout and Conway who, yesterday, raised the issue of St. Patrick’s Institution and asked what will be done to phase out the use of detention for 16 and 17 year old people in St. Patrick’s Institution. There is a commitment to do that in the programme for Government. We heard wonderful presentations last night from Professor Harry Kennedy and Ms Emily Logan, the Ombudsman for Children. I would like a debate in this House on St. Patrick’s Institution and a clarification of how it will be phased out for children.

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK
 Labour Party Seanad leader and Spokesperson on Justice
Tuesday 15th November 2011

BACIK HOSTS OIREACHTAS SEMINAR ON ST. PATRICK’S INSTITUTION AND NEED FOR REFORM

Professor Harry Kennedy and Emily Logan, the Children’s Ombudsman, will be speaking today in Leinster House at a seminar being hosted by Senator Ivana Bacik and facilitated by the Irish Penal Reform Trust.

The seminar will be on the subject of St. Patrick’s Institution. The focus will be upon the continued detention of children in the Institution, and the need to ensure adequate facilities both for the boys over 18 detained there; and for the children who should no longer be detained there but who remain pending their transfer to more suitable facilities.

In opening the seminar, Senator Bacik will say,
 
 

“The Programme for Government contains a commitment to end the practice of sending children to St. Patrick’s Institution. However, on a recent visit to St. Patrick’s Institution with other members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, we were told that over 30 children continue to be detained there.  I urge the Government to act immediately to end the detention of children. Pending their move to different facilities, it is essential that the children have access to adequate accommodation, educational and other support facilities.”

“I look forward to hearing from Professor Harry Kennedy, who with his colleagues from the Central Mental Hospital has initiated ground-breaking work in recent months within St. Patrick’s and who will outline the emerging evidence from his team’s assessment of the boys detained there. I also very much look forward to hearing from Emily Logan, the Ombudsman for Children, who has undertaken a number of significant projects in recent years to highlight the experiences of the children who continue to be detained in St. Patrick’s.”

ENDS

BACIK SUPPORTS CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL AT PLAN IRELAND LAUNCH

Senator Ivana Bacik, Labour Senator for Dublin University,
Wed 21st September 2011

Speaking today at the launch by the international children’s development charity Plan Ireland of the findings of a report assessing the current state of the world’s girls, Senator Ivana Bacik supported calls for 22nd September to be declared International Day of the Girl in order to focus the world’s attention on the importance of girls’ rights.
 
Speaking at the launch, Senator Bacik said:

“I support the “Because I am a Girl” campaign which aims to fight gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and break the cycle of poverty and inequality in the developing world. This annual report which assesses the state of the world’s girls, states that fathers, brothers, husbands play an essential role in creating true gender equality.
 
“An International Day of the Girl will ensure that girls get the investment and recognition they deserve as citizens and powerful agents of change within their own families, communities and nations. I strongly support the resolution to declare the 22nd September International Day of the Girl, as it will bring us one step closer to eliminating barriers to equal rights for millions of girls in the poorest regions of the world.”

Senator Bacik also spoke about the importance of the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill 2011 introduced by the Government at her initiative, saying:

“Legislation banning FGM is long overdue. International research shows the enormous dangers to the health of women and girls represented by the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation. The NGO Akidwa estimates that over 3,000 women living in Ireland have undergone FGM so this is a pressing issue, particularly for migrant women and girls and their families. I am delighted that we have now introduced legislation specifically prohibiting the practice and ensuring that anyone resident in Ireland who takes a girl abroad to have FGM performed there will now be subject to prosecution in Ireland.”

ENDS

Order of Business

Thursday, 21 July 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik: Like Senator O’Brien, I welcome the news of the agreement between France and Germany. We all wish the Government well in its negotiations at today’s EU meeting. It would be in all our interests to see, even at this stage, a reduction in the interest rate being charged to Ireland. I am sure Opposition Members would agree with me in respect of that matter.

I know others have already done so but I wish to request a debate on the Cloyne report. That debate should take place as soon as possible. In that context, I compliment the Taoiseach on his contribution on the motion on the Cloyne report in the Dáil yesterday. His speech rightly made headlines and is being discussed everywhere today. The Taoiseach’s contribution to the debate on this matter has been described as a landmark and as representing an unprecedented critique of the Vatican and of church structures in Ireland.

When one considers the findings in the Cloyne report, it is clear that the Taoiseach’s comments are entirely justified. The report has proved to be of a different order to the Murphy and Ryan reports, which, in their content, were also shocking. The Cloyne report is different because, as the Taoiseach stated, for the first time in this country “a report on child sexual abuse exposes an attempt by the Holy See to frustrate an inquiry in a sovereign, democratic republic as little as three years ago, not three decades ago”. Across Ireland, there is immense anger and outrage that this has been the case.

As the Taoiseach stated, we are awaiting the considered response of the Vatican to the Cloyne report. However, he also stated that this is no longer “industrial school or Magdalene Ireland, where the swish of a soutane, smothered conscience and humanity and the swing of a thurible ruled the Irish Catholic world”. He further pointed out that in this Republic of Ireland in 2011 “rights and responsibilities and proper civic order where the delinquency and arrogance of a particular version of a particular kind of morality will no longer be tolerated or ignored”. The Taoiseach spoke with passion and I compliment him on that. As he stated, it was difficult for him, as a practising Catholic, to do so.

In light of what the Taoiseach said yesterday, there is a need to examine the structures of our State. We must consider putting the State in order and we must also ensure that the structures in the Oireachtas are appropriate to those of a modern republic. In that context, I intend to propose at today’s meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges that we end the practice of saying a Christian prayer at the commencement of proceedings each day in the Seanad. I will propose an amendment to Standing Order 18 to provide instead for a moment or a few minutes of silent reflection in order that each Senator, in accordance with his or her own conscience and preference—–

Senator Darragh O’Brien: On a point of order, that is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. It is not a matter for the Order of Business.

Senator Ivana Bacik: I am raising this matter in the context of a debate on the church and the State. The saying of a prayer each day was also raised in the Dáil last week by Deputy Ó Riordáin of the Labour Party. He and I have both ensured that this matter is on the agendas of the Committees of Procedure and Privileges of the Dáil and the Seanad.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: I understand this matter is on the agenda of the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges and that it will be dealt with by that committee.

Senator Ivana Bacik: Yes, that is the position. However, it is a matter for the entire membership of the House to consider whether it is appropriate in a modern republic and whether it is respectful to those who are not of a Christian religion, to continue to say a Christian prayer at the commencement of proceedings each day in the House.

Order of Business

Wednesday, 6 July 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik: I welcome the announcement that Jerzy Buzek, the President of the European Parliament, will address the Seanad next Tuesday. That will be an auspicious occasion. Group leaders will have a chance to ask Mr. Buzek questions and there will be an interaction with him on the floor of the House. That is an important announcement.

In the context of what Senator O’Brien said, I call for a debate on the redress scheme and, in particular, on the shortfall identified by the Minister for Education and Skills. He has pointed out that the religious congregations are more than €300 million short of paying their fair share of the enormous cost of the scheme to the victims and survivors of abuse in industrial schools and other institutions. The scheme has cost €1.36 billion to date but the religious congregations have paid only one quarter of what is due. There were serious concerns about the indemnity deal done in the dying days of the outgoing Government in 2002 but it is clear now that what has been offered by the religious orders falls far short of what is needed by the State.

We will debate the funding for the national children’s hospital. For example, the religious congregations could clearly offer money or land toward paying their share of the indemnity deal in the context of this hospital. That has been signalled by the Minister. A number of congregations made good money from the sale of property some years ago.

I seek a debate on the revelations that the tabloid newspaper, the News of the World, was in the business of hacking the telephones not only of celebrities but also of the teenage murder victim, Milly Dowler, and the families of the victims of the London bombings in July 2005. These are appalling and shocking revelations. I commend reports that Aer Lingus and other companies are pulling advertisements from the newspaper as a result. I call on those who read or buy the newspaper in Ireland to boycott it in light of these revelations.

Senator Denis O’Donovan: I am boycotting it.

Senator Darragh O’Brien: I have never bought it in my life.

Senator Ivana Bacik: It beggars belief that a newspaper could do this. It is the most disgusting thing I have read in some time. The News of the World boasts that it is one of Ireland’s biggest selling Sunday tabloids. It has a circulation of more than 130,000 copies and a readership in excess of 500,000 in Ireland. Those readers should vote with their feet and not buy this newspaper in light of these shocking revelations.

Order of Business

Tuesday, 5 July 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik: Like Senator O’Brien, I welcome the report from the independent body that looked at the sitting of the national children’s hospital. Many concerns have been expressed about the way in which the decision to locate the hospital on the Mater Hospital site was taken originally. I was among the many who had misgivings about the decision, validly, I believe. People were concerned the decision had been taken for the wrong reasons at that time. It is good now to see another report confirming this to be the right sitting.

…

As Senator O’Brien noted, we now need to know there will be commitment to open the hospital by 2015. This is very much contingent on funding, as we all know. The original plan had envisaged a substantial amount of funding would be sourced from private benefactors but there is a large question mark over that now, quite apart from the issue of Government funding.

In the context of the children’s hospital, I pay tribute to TG4 which broadcast a remarkable documentary about Dr. Kathleen Lynn some weeks ago. Much of the programme was devoted to the difficulty she had in establishing a children’s hospital according to enlightened and progressive principles many decades ago. It is unfortunate that we have had such a protracted debate over the siting of the new and much needed national children’s hospital.

I call for a debate on children’s rights. We have talked previously about the children’s rights referendum. It would be useful to have the Minister for Children in the House to hear more about the proposed timeframe for the referendum. We had national play day on Sunday and one of the rights recognised in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is the right of children to play. It is hugely important in every culture and is one of the things we should examine in the context of the wording of a children’s rights referendum.

I congratulate Senator Martin McAleese who has been appointed by the Government to chair the inquiry into the Magdalene laundries. That is a worthy appointment——

Senator Paul Coghlan: Hear, hear.

Senator Ivana Bacik:  ——and we all hope to see that bear fruit very soon.