Results 1,001-1,020 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Oversight of Sláintecare: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Frances Black: I have one final question, because I am aware that I do not have much time. This committee has been engaged with local campaigners who are trying to prevent the closure of the Owenacurra mental health facility. They have highlighted the sparse provision of mental healthcare facilities in east Cork relative to other areas. The report mentions the development of regional health areas to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Oversight of Sláintecare: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2022)

Frances Black: Will they be placed in-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018: Discussion (27 Apr 2022)

Frances Black: I welcome our witnesses and thank them for their phenomenal work on this issue. My first question is to Ms O'Connor and Ms Ryan of the NWC. In her submission, Ms O'Connor looked at the interpretation of health and the consequences of it in abortion care. She cited that of the 6,577 abortions provided in 2020, just 20 procedures were carried out due to risk to life or health. This would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018: Discussion (27 Apr 2022)

Frances Black: The submission looked at the issues that the criteria relating to PPS numbers impose for undocumented people looking for abortion care. Apart from removing these criteria, how does the NWC think we can support undocumented people in achieving abortion care? Can we implement safeguards that would protect them from any fear of engaging with State services? I want to get the witnesses'...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018: Discussion (27 Apr 2022)

Frances Black: I thank Ms Ryan. Turning to the IFPA, in the context of the experiences of women in rural areas versus urban areas, the geographic disparities and disparities in care are very worrying. The representatives from the IFPA mentioned that in most cases, and in the absence of locally accessible care, the only option women might have is home self-management of medical abortion. Will our guests...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018: Discussion (27 Apr 2022)

Frances Black: It is shocking to think that a doctor, friend or family member could still face a 14-year prison sentence for helping someone access an abortion. The reality is that the Irish people voted for abortion to be a healthcare issue and not a criminal act. Unfortunately, the Act still criminalises anyone who assists a pregnant person to obtain an abortion outside of the provisions of the Act with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018: Discussion (27 Apr 2022)

Frances Black: That would be great. Criminalisation could impact a partner or a parent who might order abortion pills. As we all know, that happened to the mother of a young teenager. She was charged in that respect and the case is ongoing in Northern Ireland. The likely result will be that medical professionals will interpret the law conservatively and patients will be denied care. I highlight that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 May 2022)

Frances Black: It is great to see Senator Buttimer in the hot seat. Like my colleague, I want to highlight the horrendous killing of Palestinian journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed by an Israeli sniper last Wednesday. She was killed while covering an Israeli military incursion into Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. It is a territory administered by the Palestinian Authority under...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 May 2022)

Frances Black: These killings are connected to Israel's attempts to outlaw Palestinian human rights organisations, like Al-Haq, by smearing them as terrorists. They are connected to the brutal beating of Hani Nassar, a researcher for Defense of Children International, a Palestinian NGO, who was violently attacked a few days ago, first by Israeli settlers and then by IDF soldiers near the illegal Israeli...

Seanad: Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (18 May 2022)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I support this Bill. I want to express my respect and admiration for my Civil Engagement Group colleague, Senator Higgins, for the diligent research and massive effort that went into the Bill. I want to speak to this section, which details a procedure for the Minister to produce guidelines for the qualitative, environmental and social human...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by US Congressman Richard Neal (24 May 2022)

Frances Black: I am honoured to speak today on behalf of my colleagues, Senators Higgins, Ruane and Flynn of the Civil Engagement Group. I warmly welcome Congressman Neal here today along with the congressional delegation and the ambassador. His dedication and his commitment are deeply appreciated by the people of Ireland. The deep ties between our countries are well known and enduring. Human...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 May 2022)

Frances Black: Last week in this Chamber I spoke about the murder of Shireen Abu Akleh and the shameful attacks on her funeral procession. I said that it was part of a pattern of Israeli violence and repression employed to suppress the voices of those highlighting human rights abuses in the region. I called for accountability and meaningful repercussions of the violation of international law. There is an...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 May 2022)

Frances Black: Amendment No. 124 seeks to insert "or alcohol" into the section dealing with potentially harmful products so that the commission may limit commercial communications in the public health interests of children. I thank Alcohol Action Ireland for its diligent work in this area and its support in drafting this amendment. The regulatory impact analysis for the Bill stated that alcohol marketing...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 May 2022)

Frances Black: I have to disagree with the Minister. The Public Health (Alcohol) Act says nothing about online advertising. Section 14 of that Act prohibits the advertising of alcohol, but in tiny places. It has nothing to do with online advertising. Again, the content element of the legislation has not been implemented. While I am on the subject, I will return to the WHO report. I must put on the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 May 2022)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 124: In page 53, line 22, after "sugars" to insert "or alcohol".

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 May 2022)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 126: In page 53, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: "(5A) Provision made for the purpose referred to in subsection (2)(d)(ii) may prohibit the inclusion in programmes of commercial communications relating to gambling considered by the Commission to be the subject of public concern in respect of the general public health interests of children.". This...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 May 2022)

Frances Black: Last Tuesday, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, brought the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021 to Cabinet for approval. It is a glaring and worrying omission from the soon-to-be published Bill that people who are involuntarily detained under the Mental Health Act 2001 will not be afforded their human rights. As...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Frances Black: Amendment No. 173 takes the language from Part 5 of the Bill about how the public health interests of children must be a key consideration of how the media regulator regulates advertising and transposes it to the section covering digital media. At this point, I would like to thank Kathryn Reilly of the Irish Heart Foundation for her assistance with this amendment. One of the important...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 176: In page 82, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “(2A) Provision made for the purpose referred to in subsection (2)(d) may prohibit the inclusion in programmes of commercial communications relating to foods or beverages considered by the Commission to be the subject of public concern in respect of the general public health interests of...