Blog Archive | News
National Integration Strategy Motion - Polska Éire
Posted on April 24, 2015
National Integration Strategy: Motion
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Acting Chairman (Senator Terry Leyden): I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin.
Senator Ivana Bacik: I move: That Seanad Éireann:- welcomes the establishment by the Government of the new office of Minister of State for new communities, culture and equality;
Marriage Equality Referendum 2015 - on the campaign trail!
Posted on April 23, 2015
Marriage Equality Referendum 2015 - on the campaign trail!
Just 4 weeks left till Referendum Voting day on May 22nd and it's all hands on deck to secure a yes vote. Myself and my Labour Party colleagues are out canvassing on the campaign trail and are encouraged by the positive responses so far. But we can't afford to be complacement when it comes to encouraging people to get out and vote and vote yes for this important equality measure! Here are a few of the events I have been a part of or attended recently in support of the Yes Equality campaign to date and more to come!
- 19th February I spoke with Senator David Norris at a debate on marriage equality at King's Inns against representatives of the Iona Institute - we won by a big majority!
- 27th February I had an Op-Ed article published in the Irish Times headlined 'No rational basis to deny gay couples right to marry' - accessible at http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/ivana-bacik-no-rational-basis-to-deny-gay-couples-right-to-marry-1.2119130
- 4th March I spoke on marriage equality at a meeting of the UCD Philosophical Society.
- 30th March spoke in the Seanad in support of the Marriage Equality Bill which I'm delighted to say was passed with huge support. Here's a you tube link to my contribution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAqLCNR2htc
- 22nd April attended the fabulous Yes Equality Tour Bus launch. The bus will touring around each of the 26 counties from now until May 21st - see the Yes Equality for the bus timetable.
- 22nd April Marriage Equality debate on Spirit Radio and talked about the legal effects of the Marriage Equality Referendum, quoting Dr.Conor O’Mahony, UCC Law to debunk some of the scaremongering of the 'No' side. Check out the http://constitutionproject.ie/ on more of Conor's legal insights.
- 23rd April attended the hugely successful launch of Lawyers for Yes Equality.
- 23rd April (8pm) Marriage Equality debate at the Eblana Lodge, Dun Laoghaire alongside fellow Yes advocate Pat Carey, former Fianna Fail Minister. The 'No' side speakers are billed as Anthony Kenny, Kenny Advertsers and Pat Bulfin an independent Christian Preacher.
- And as the Labour Party and other posters go up around the country I am very much looking forward to the Labour Party Marriage Equality Campaign Launch this Sunday 26th April. www.labour.ie
Order of Business: Yes Equality Campaign Bus Tour Launch gets a mention
Posted on April 22, 2015
Order of Business
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
I was delighted to attend just now the launch of the Yes Equality bus which will be making a nationwide tour over the coming four weeks. It will be calling for a Yes vote in the marriage equality referendum on 22 May. We have debated this issue already in this House, of course, but I ask colleagues to keep an eye out for the bus when it visits their local area and to tweet if they see it.
#YesEquality #BusTour
YouTube Video: Marriage Equality Bill 2015 - Second Stage Contribution
Posted on March 30, 2015
Watch this short video of my Seanad contribution as I join my colleagues in support of the Marriage Equality Bill 2015 in the Second Stage debates.
A hugely proud time for all of us, for my Party, for my colleagues and for all of us who are tirelessly working to achieve equality for LGBT couples and their families.
#History #YesEquality #May22 #Referendum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAqLCNR2htc&feature=youtu.be
Sen. Ivana Bacik's Contribution - Children and Family Relationships Bill Committee Stage 2015
Posted on March 30, 2015
Senator Ivana Bacik has the floor at the Seanad Eireann debate, Committee Stage of the long awaited Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015, March 26th 2015.
Here's a short You Tube clip from my own contributions.
"Most people in Ireland who share a common sense of humanity and sense of reality support this Bill and the sensible measures in it."
#Equality #ChildrensRights #Family #Diversity
Irish Times Letter - Gender Quotas in Politics
Posted on March 11, 2015
Irish Times Letter, March 11th, 2015
Gender Quotas in Politics
Sir, – I was amused to read Derek J Byrne’s poorly informed polemic against gender quotas in politics (March 9th). I would urge Mr Byrne to read the 2009 report of the Joint Oireachtas Justice Committee on women’s participation in politics, in which we put forward the evidence-based arguments for adopting positive action measures to increase the numbers of women TDs.
'Today with Sean O'Rourke' radio interview on Labour Women Commissioned Report
Posted on February 27, 2015
'Creating a More Equal and Inclusive Society' - Labour Women Commission on Repeal of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution (Article 40.3.3).
Labour Party Conference 2015 in Killarney, Co. Kerry
This morning I spoke on RTÉ Radio show, 'Today with Sean O'Rourke' on the Labour Women Commissioned Report and motion that Labour Party members will be voting on tonight at the Party Conference. To listen back follow the link - http://www.rte.ie/radio/utils/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!rii=9%3A20735524%3A15036%3A27%2D02%2D2015%3A
The Irish Examiner covered the Report and below is a link to that front page article.
'Creating a More Equal and Inclusive Society - Parental Leave & Marriage Equality' - Labour Party Conference 2015 in Killarney, Co. Kerry
Posted on February 27, 2015
'Creating a More Equal and Inclusive Society - Parental Leave and Marriage Equality'
Labour Party Conference 2015 in Killarney, Co. Kerry
Tune in on Saturday (28th February) morning from 11am-1pm when I will be on stage and in conversation with my colleagues Minister Aodhán Ó'Riordáin, Deputy John Lyons and Marie Moynihan while we discuss Parental Leave and Marriage Equality.
#LP15 #Opportunity2016 #MarRef #Equality
Order of Business – Seanad Éireann (25th – 26th February 2015) Digest
Posted on February 27, 2015
Order of Business – Seanad Éireann (25th – 26th February 2015) Digest
Contributions from Senator Ivana Bacik. Follow the links to the Oireachtas website for more details.
- Irish Cricket Team
- Central Statistics Office – good news
- Deputy Joanna Tuffy on Govt’s record on job creation ( http://www.labour.ie/blog/2015/02/25/tuffy-highlights-labours-strong-track-record-in-ta/ )
- Government creation of 80,000 jobs
- 1% drop in borrowing for Ireland
- Call for Seanad debate on Children & Family Relationships Bill 2014
- Call for debate on Child Care Provision
- Report due on new models for the ECCE Scheme
- Working parents
- Condemnation of ISIS action in northern Syria
Order of Business – Seanad Éireann (17th – 19th February 2015) Digest
Posted on February 23, 2015
Order of Business – Seanad Éireann (17th – 19th February 2015) Digest
Order of Business Digest – Contributions from Senator Ivana Bacik. Follow the links to the Oireachtas website for more details.
- Denmark shootings
- Charlie Hebdo
- Free speech
- TCD meeting on free speech
- Democracy
- Cabinet approval of Children and Family Relationships Bill
- Child-centred reform
- Small schools policy, Dept. of Education
- Labour Party Marriage Equality Referendum launch
- Alcohol awareness
- Underage drinking
- Prison escape
- Injured Prison Officers
- Gender Recognition Bill
- Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government announces €300 million housing investment programme
- European Investment Bank
- Housing Finance Agency