Blog Archive | Justice
'Imprison fewer women', - Village Magazine article
Posted on October 17, 2014
'Imprison fewer women' - by Ivana Bacik
Village Magazine Oct 2014
'Women are a tiny minority in prisons and a particularly marginalised and vulnerable group. On average, only about 3-4% of those in prison are women. While prison numbers in Ireland generally have stabilised and even reduced in recent years, there have been increasing numbers of women committed to prison.'
To read more follow the link or buy a copy this month.
http://www.villagemagazine.ie/index.php/2014/10/imprison-fewer-women/
Speaking at the INMO & RCNI All-Ireland Midwifery Conference, Santry, Dublin
Posted on October 16, 2014
'Pregnancy Pathways' - INMO & RCNI All-Ireland Midwifery Conference, Santry, Dublin
Speaking at the INMO and RCNI All-Ireland Annual Midwifery Conference in Santry, Dublin, on Thursday 16th October, I called for a review of the maternity care system, in particular focusing on the need to provide greater diversity of maternity care models, so that women may have greater freedom to choose to have midwife-led care in hospital; or to choose to have a home-birth.
Budget 2015 - Statement
Posted on October 14, 2014
Budget 2015: Statements
Tuesday, 14 October 2014
I thank the Leader for extending time, so that anyone who wishes to speak will be able to do so. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Harris and welcome him to the House. I have listened carefully to the speeches here and in the other House. Any fair-minded observer - there are many fair-minded observers on the Opposition benches - would acknowledge that there are very positive aspects to this budget and that overall, it is a positive development. It is modest in scope and I do not think anyone is being triumphalist or is crowing in any way, as that would not be appropriate.
We are looking at a budget that has been brought to us in the context of positive figures on economic growth and unemployment, which has been falling for 27 months in a row now. These are objective measures of positive developments in our economy. Also objectively, as others have acknowledged, the changes to the tax system announced today are progressive. They are aimed squarely at improving the economic position of low- to middle-income earners. The reduction in the top rate of tax is more than offset by the increase in the USC rate for higher earners. We are seeing an additional 80,000 low-paid workers come out of the USC on top of the 330,000 brought out of it in the first budget of this Government. We need to be fair when assessing the tax changes here. Their impact will undoubtedly benefit those who are in low- to middle-income brackets, and not the higher income earners. That is a very important point.
Speaking to the gathered TCD Students Union ahead of the USI #EducationIs Rally
Posted on October 08, 2014
It was great to see the Trinity College Dublin Students Union gather in Front Square ahead of the USI (Union Students of Ireland) Rally to the Dail and an honour to address the crowd.
'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
'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.
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.
'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/