Ivana Bacik

 STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK 

Speaking in the Seanad this morning, Senator Ivana Bacik welcomed the announcement that the Cabinet has approved the establishment of an expert group to address the outcome of the ABC case judgment on abortion in the European Court of Human Rights, in which Ireland was found to have breached the rights of a pregnant woman with a serious health condition who had to travel to England for an abortion.

Welcoming the announcement, Senator Ivana Bacik said:

“For many years, successive governments have failed to take any action to address the need for reform of our law on abortion. The ABC judgment by the European Court of Human Rights in December 2010 was waiting to happen.”

“I am delighted that the Government has now moved to fulfil its commitment in the Programme for Government by establishing an expert working group to examine how to address the ruling of the European Court. I am also really delighted that the group is to report back to government within six months on how best to address this judgment. There should be no more foot-dragging on this issue. ”

ENDS 

Order of Business

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik:     I am delighted Senator Mooney ended on a positive note. That was very welcome. We all agree and wish our very best to the Irish team and Giovanni Trapattoni.

To respond to what he said in terms of the gloomy news, certainly the ESRI report did make for gloomy news as it emphasised the serious nature of the difficulty at European level, beyond national boundaries. Senator Mooney sought greater clarity on Europe. What is lacking in today’s headlines was the result of the meeting of European finance Ministers last night which came up with what we all hope will offer a way forward through the crisis, namely, giving the IMF a more dominant role in terms of providing support to states in financial difficulty. Those reports offer a more optimistic prognosis for the future than we see in the ESRI report. Any debate we have must take account of that issue. Our Minister for Finance and other representatives were active in that regard. Senator Mooney referred to our similarity with Britain, but there is a significant difference in terms of our presence in the eurozone while Britain is outside it. Any agreement we reach on a way forward must be in conjunction with eurozone partners. That is very clear. That is plan A and it is also plan B.

I also wish to point out to Senator Mooney that yesterday’s Cabinet meeting agreed the establishment of a Cabinet sub-committee on European engagement - an interdepartmental committee on which the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, will play a major role. A formal mechanism has now been established to ensure a more interdepartmental approach to European engagement.

…     I am delighted also that Senator Mooney is seeking a cross-party approach to the matter.

…     There will be great support for the Senator’s suggestion. It would be helpful to have a debate on the Croke Park agreement in the new year. Others have called for that. However, any debate on the agreement must take account of what is happening elsewhere. We see gloomy news today for those waking up in Britain with a day of action and a strike taking place. The bulk of those covered by the Croke Park agreement are low paid public sector workers on salaries of €30,000 to €40,000 per year who have taken immense cuts and pain in recent years and yet we have not had anything like the type of unrest evident in Britain. We have not had strikes. We must take account of that in any debate on the Croke Park agreement.

I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, of a further cut to public pensions of more than €100,000. Although only approximately 250 people are affected and the saving to the Exchequer is not great, it is important in the interests of fairness that the Government is doing this, as so many lower paid people are taking a lot of hits. I very much welcome it.

I also welcome the report from yesterday’s Cabinet meeting that an expert group is being established to implement the ABC judgment of the European Court of Human Rights on access to abortion, and that the group will report within six months. That is extremely important. It is a matter on which successive Governments have dragged their feet for many years but which the Government is committed to tackling.

Order of Business

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik:     I commend the Leader and the PCC’s public consultation process we undertook on Thursday. Nine different groups addressed us to advocate the rights of older people. It was an instructive and enlightening process. We have moved ahead hugely in terms of knowledge about what is required. We heard a great deal about the draft UN convention and the various needs of older people. It is an important part of Seanad reform to engage in this process, not only by having guest speakers like Mary Robinson, who was inspirational last Thursday, but to engage in public consultation with groups, such as the experts with whom we will engage this afternoon. I urge Senators to come in and listen to Professor Gerard Quinn and Professor Roseanne Kenny who are noted leading experts on the rights of older people. It will be an excellent session.

I support others who have called for a debate in the new year on domestic violence. We are in the fifth day of the Women’s Aid “One in Five Women” national campaign. This morning I had the privilege of launching a report by the Sonas housing association, entitled “A Safe Space”, co-authored by Ms Monica O’Connor and Ms Jane Pillinger. The report calls for the establishment of a women’s refuge in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area, which is currently without a full-time refuge. The report has found seriously inadequate provision of refuge spaces in the Dublin area and across the country generally.

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

 BACIK CALLS FOR JUSTICE COMMITTEE HEARING ON DOCHAS CENTRE REPORT

Order of Business

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik:     I join with Senator Darragh O’Brien in welcoming yesterday’s announcement by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, of an inquiry in the Fr. Reynolds case. It is good that all Members acknowledge that such an inquiry needed to be established.

Regarding Senator Darragh O’Brien’s call for a pre-budget debate, there was one yesterday with the Minister for Public Reform and Expenditure, Deputy Howlin, on the capital infrastructure programme. The Minister, however, was not treated with the greatest respect by the other side of the House with interruptions during his opening statement—–

Senator Darragh O’Brien:     I was here and did not interrupt him once.

Senator Ivana Bacik:     Of course, we all disagree across the floor of the House and we, when in opposition, had disagreements with Fianna Fáil Party Ministers. However, we do try to treat people with respect. In my time here, the Seanad has had a positive tradition of treating people with courtesy and respect when they are making points with which others may not agree.

Senator Terry Leyden:     The Minister is a sensitive soul.

Senator Ivana Bacik:     Here is another example of disagreeing respectfully.

Senator Darragh O’Brien:     I do not agree with Senator Bacik on this. The Minister was treated with respect yesterday.

An Cathaoirleach:     Senator Bacik, without interruption.

Senator Ivana Bacik:     While I believe we should have pre-budget debates, some of which have already been facilitated such as yesterday with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, and last week with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, they must be conducted with a modicum of courtesy, even when there is disagreement as there should be.

Regarding this morning’s headline on a proposed charge on medical cards, I must point out to Senator Darragh O’Brien that no decision has yet been made in this regard. It was also somewhat premature of Members on the Fianna Fáil Party side to accuse Labour Party Members of U-turns on third level fees last week. The Labour Party made commitments on retaining the abolition of third level fees and holding a line on social welfare rate cuts. They remain Labour Party policy.

…     As the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, said last week, it is important to acknowledge that other areas need to be examined. When she suggested creative reforms that will save the Exchequer money, such as the reform of sick pay arrangements which many employers may welcome because it will give them more control over absence due to sickness, it is important both sides of the House listen with courtesy and respect. Reforms such as this must be dealt with in a creative manner. It is not good enough, especially for the Fianna Fáil Party, to oppose every single measure the Government proposes.

(Interruptions)

An Cathaoirleach:     Senator Bacik, without interruption. Has Senator Bacik a question for the Leader, by the way?

Senator Ivana Bacik:     Will the Leader organise a debate on foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East? I welcome the release last week of Dr. Rafah Nached in Syria. I had called for it in this House and circulated a cross-party motion on it. I will circulate an updated motion to take account of her release and the ongoing appalling oppression in Syria.

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK
 Labour Party Seanad leader and Spokesperson on Justice
Thursday 17th November 2011

SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES RELEASE OF
DR RAFAH NACHED IN SYRIA

Senator Ivana Bacik today welcomed the release of Dr. Rafah Nached, the Syrian psychoanalyst, who had been detained since 10th September by the Syrian authorities.

Senator Bacik had raised the plight of 66-year old Dr. Nached on a number of occasions in the Seanad, and had circulated a cross-party Motion calling for her release. Senator Bacik had said that it was outrageous to see Dr. Nached, the first female psychoanalyst in her country, being arrested and detained as she was about to board a Paris-bound flight at Damascus airport to attend the birth of her first grandchild.

In welcoming Dr. Nached’s release today, Senator Bacik said,
 
 

“The release of Dr. Nached is long overdue. Her detention was outrageous and it provoked an international outcry and a major campaign for her release. The Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore had called for her immediate release on 4th October, and had associated himself fully with the 23rd September statement calling for her release by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton. Other parliaments and Governments had similarly called for her release.”

“However, although Dr. Nached has now been released, many thousands of others have been arbitrarily detained in Syria, and many have been subjected to torture in custody. I call for an immediate end to the repression and violence of the Syrian people and will continue to press the Tanaiste and Government for further efforts to support the movement for democracy in Syria.”

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.

Order of Business

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik:     I welcome the Leader’s announcement that a cross-party motion has been agreed on the sentencing to death of Pastor Nadarkhani in Iran, which is helpful. I remind leaders of the other groups that I have e-mailed an updated wording of a motion on Syria and would be grateful for cross-party support on that motion, particularly in light of recent reports of further abuses and killings by the Syrian Government and the suspension of Syria by the Arab League in a really dramatic move. This is a sign of how serious have become developments and how seriously repressive is the regime there. In this context, I would be grateful for an early response to the motion on the continued detention of the Syrian psychoanalyst, Dr. Rafah Nashed. The motion has been broadened to take account of other developments and of the repression and violence that has been used by the Syrian Government against peaceful protesters who have been protesting for democracy. I hope this motion also can be taken on an agreed basis.

I ask the Leader for a debate on prison policy in Ireland in light of the publication of the capital expenditure plan last week, which showed that further spending on Thornton Hall has been deferred. While many Members will be quite glad of that, they also need to ascertain what other resourcing can be done to ensure, for example, the phasing out of the brutal slopping-out practices in Mountjoy Prison. I acknowledge work is ongoing in Mountjoy as many members of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality will have seen in recent weeks. However, they need to know whether resources can be put in place to ensure that conditions in Mountjoy Prison will become better for inmates and staff alike, as well as to ascertain what plans are in place to move children out of St. Patrick’s Institution. The commitment in the programme for Government is to end the practice of detention of children, that is, those under 18, in St. Patrick’s Institution. However, those of us who visited recently saw that more than 30 children remain in detention there. In conclusion, I wish to inform colleagues that I will hold a seminar with Dr. Harry Kennedy and Ms Emily Logan, Ombudsman for Children, at 4.30 p.m. today in the AV room to discuss the conditions in St. Patrick’s Institution.

…I would be grateful for the support of colleagues of all parties on this issue. Again, it is a matter on which there was cross-party support in the last Seanad from both Government and Opposition parties.

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