Results 781-800 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: I invite Senator Hoey to come in at this point.

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: I have concerns about a couple of issues, which the committee will have to consider. Mr. Hempenstall stated the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and the Department are keen to see the Bill introduced to the Oireachtas as soon as possible. How can the committee undertake pre-legislative scrutiny when we do not have the legislation in front of us?...

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: When does Mr. Hempenstall think we will have the Bill? I have an idea in my head and maybe I am wrong. It seems to me that the subcommittee is bringing in witnesses to talk about heads of Bill but they do not even know what the Bill is. We are not sure what the Bill is. That detail is very important if we are going to do pre-legislative scrutiny. Is there any idea when we will see the...

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: Did Deputy Kenny have any questions?

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: Deputy Hourigan is next.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: I would like to address the issue of the designation of six Palestinian human rights groups as terrorists by the Israeli Ministry of Defence on 22 October. This designation by the state of Israel is a clear attack on civil society organisations working in defence of human rights and international law. Such actions do little to challenge the view of Israel as a repressive, apartheid regime....

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: Yes go ahead.

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: I have a few questions. I hope that is okay. Before I ask any questions, I warmly welcome the publication of the heads of this Bill to amend the Mental Health Act 2001. The work the Department has done has been phenomenal and I thank the witnesses for that. The changes in language, for example, using "person" instead of "patient", are really well thought through. Ireland has an...

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: I have a couple more questions. I am a little bit concerned about the section 4(9) proposed under head 5 which states, "The provision of mental health services is subject to the availability of resources." I hope the witnesses will forgive me if they have covered this. I just feel the inclusion of this statement in legislation only serves to undermine its thrust and the culture change that...

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: With regard to section 9, which is proposed in head 10 and relates to authorised officers, the head refers to "Persons who may apply for involuntary admission". That is obviously very welcome. In consultation with the HSE, family members wanted to retain the option to apply for involuntary admission for relatives. I stress that an appropriately funded authorised officer service represents...

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: There is no doubt that authorised officers are vital in this regard. Their services should provide support to the person who is experiencing mental health difficulties and also to the family and friends, and supporters and carers with permission. I had a bit of anxiety around the wording of "at a later date to the rest of the Act". We can keep an eye on that for sure.

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: Is there any response to Deputy Buckley's comments? No. I have one more question to ask. Perhaps Mr. Kelly could answer it. Why keep provisions for admitting under 18s to adult facilities? Does he think that we should be prohibiting this practice?

Joint Committee On Health: General Scheme of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Department of Health (2 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: That is everything I wanted to say. I thank the witnesses most sincerely for their presentations. We look forward to working with them in the future.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Department of the Taoiseach (4 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: It is good to see the witnesses and I thank them for the work they are doing. It is great to see that they are opening it out. That is warmly welcomed. I have a couple of questions, including a final one around a community in north Antrim I am very close to. I have touched on it before. As the closing date for submissions for the North-South research programme is next week, can the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Department of the Taoiseach (4 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: I appreciate that. What internal criteria are being applied to ensure we achieve a balance between science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, and social sciences, as well as between large and small projects?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Department of the Taoiseach (4 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: That would be helpful.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Department of the Taoiseach (4 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: I will speak on behalf of the small island community I touched on before when I spoke to Ms O'Donoghue about Rathlin Island. They would love to get a meeting and connect with the witnesses. I know they have had public and political representatives talking to the witnesses but their main aim is for the witnesses to go to Rathlin. It would be a lovely trip and they would love to meet them...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Department of the Taoiseach (4 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: I thank Ms O'Donoghue. That is all I have to ask.

Seanad: Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People: Statements (9 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: I warmly welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank her for all the work she is doing in this area. I am very aware she works extremely hard and no better woman for the job. I agree with my colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, that there should be a full Cabinet Minister with responsibility for disabilities. As we work towards a national reframing of services for disabled young...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Nov 2021)

Frances Black: On behalf of the Civil Engagement Group, I, too, would like to pass on my deepest condolences to our Seanad colleague, Senator Currie, and her family on the passing of her Dad, Austin Currie. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. I also want to commend the Independent Group on the wonderful tribute it made today to the father of the House, Senator Norris, who is a wonderful man and...