Results 621-640 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Impact of Covid-19 on Human Rights and Mental Health: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Frances Black: I welcome all of the witnesses. Senator Hoey asked all of the questions I was going to ask. I am delighted that the witnesses were in a position to answer them. There is no doubt that we must remember that when the original legislation was introduced, it was stated that it was a temporary measure. That is clearly not the case one year later, which is very worrying. It is a very...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Rare Diseases: Discussion (26 May 2021)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. It is incredibly distressing to hear about the reality of conditions for the 300,000 people living with rare conditions, and their access, or lack thereof, to essential services and supports. We know there are major shortcomings in our health system. The witnesses have touched on this, but in what ways has the Covid crisis affected not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Rare Diseases: Discussion (26 May 2021)

Frances Black: That is perfect. I thank Dr. Lynch. My time is up. I apologise but I have to leave the meeting early. I thank all our witnesses.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Engagement with Ireland's Future (1 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: Ms Harmon was meant to speak about decisions because she was very involved in the previous referendum and preparing for the citizens' assembly. I do not know whether Mr. Murphy can answer my next question and I ask him not to worry if he cannot do so. What does he believe will be the main issues that will have to be considered by the proposed citizens' assembly?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Engagement with Ireland's Future (1 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: I highlight the report published by Alcohol Action Ireland last week. It is called Alcohol Treatment Services: A snapshot survey 2021. It explores some of the prevailing issues related to alcohol services in Ireland and it is shocking. It highlights the significant gap between services needed and those available, the additional difficulties placed on those seeking services and the added...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreements) Bill 2021: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: I commend my good friend and colleague, Senator Ruane, and her parliamentary advisor, Seb McAteer, on the incredible work they have done on this Bill. There is no doubt that the Senator's dedication to shining a light on this troubling and highly sensitive areas has been inspiring. I congratulate her on the launch of this Bill with the amazing panel of experts who have long advocated...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare: Department of Health (9 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: I do not have a headset so I hope everybody can hear me. The presentation was really interesting and I, like others, would love to have had more time to listen and get a bit more detail. The witnesses are doing phenomenal work so I thank them for that. I am particularly interested in the treatment of alcohol harm. I worked closely with others on the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare: Department of Health (9 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: I am talking not so much about addiction as alcohol harm and the unhealthy relationship we have with alcohol. It is a matter of keeping that in mind. One thousand five hundred hospital beds are taken up every day because of alcohol harm, not addiction. That is a very high number. It is shocking. The main aim of Sláintecare is to provide universal access to timely, quality...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare: Department of Health (9 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: Does Ms Magahy believe that progress in community-based mental health services is needed? How does she see it all playing out? Community-based mental health services will be vital. What is Ms Magahy's view on this in light of the current crisis?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare: Department of Health (9 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: The Rise Foundation, for which I do work, is an organisation that supports family members who have somebody they love with an alcohol, drug or gambling problem. It does not get any Government support whatsoever. It has six to eight therapists but it also has a waiting list. There is something not right about that picture at this time. This needs to be addressed. The organisation does...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cardiovascular Health Policy: Discussion (16 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: I thank all our witnesses for their very informative presentations. I have learned an awful lot. One thing that kept coming into my mind is that my mother used to say prevention is better than cure, and how true that is, listening to all the witnesses. A lot of the questions have been covered. I am interested in a couple of specific areas. Mr. Collins mentioned looking at air pollution...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Engagement with Ireland's Future (Resumed) (15 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: I thank the Chair for inviting representatives of Ireland's Future before the committee. I am delighted because I missed the committee's engagement with them a couple of weeks ago. I welcome Ms Harmon and Reverend Karen. I asked Mr. Murphy a question a couple of weeks ago so if it is okay, I will focus on asking questions to Reverend Karen and Ms Harmon. I would love it if both of them...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Engagement with Ireland's Future (Resumed) (15 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: That is very powerful and as my mother used to say: "Out of the mouths of babes". That is fantastic. I want to ask Ms Harmon about young people and about the Citizens' Assembly. That are Ms Harmon's thought about the Citizens' Assembly? She has so much experience in that area.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Jun 2021)

Frances Black: I have been receiving many letters in recent weeks from people in the music industry who are absolutely devastated and worried about what is happening to the industry. I will read out one letter that I received late last night which really sums up what is going on for people in the industry. It states: Dear Senator Black, I'm writing to appeal to you, to the Seanad and to the Minister,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2021)

Frances Black: I want to highlight the "RTÉ Investigates" programme that aired a couple of weeks ago on Thursday, 1 July 2021.As we all know, it was a harrowing documentary that shared some of the urgent concerns of care workers, adult safeguarding experts and family members of those who had lost loved ones in a nursing home setting to Covid. It was difficult to watch as, once again, the high levels...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (15 Jul 2021)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister to the House today. I can only imagine how hectic it has been for him and how busy he is in these really crazy times. I fully support this Bill to extend the period for receipt of claims by the CervicalCheck tribunal. As we all know, the past 16 months have been seriously challenging for everyone. Covid-19 has affected the pace of everyday life and the CervicalCheck...

Seanad: Workplace Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2021)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 4: In page 11, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: "(2) The review specified in subsection (1) shall examine whether and to what extent the operation of the amendments is having a deterrent effect on employees seeking to make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission.". I am speaking on behalf of Senator Higgins. This is a simple amendment...