Results 1,701-1,720 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: Recommendation No. 5 calls for a report on options for changes to the vacant homes tax, including options to increase the rate of tax to ten times the basic rate of local property tax and the potential for the inclusion of derelict properties within the criteria for taxable properties. It is welcome that the vacant homes tax is being increased from three times the basic rate of local...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I move recommendation No. 6: In page 302, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following: “Report on aviation kerosene 100. The Minister shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining the potential for Ireland to waive the excise exemption on aviation kerosene by entering into bilateral agreements to tax fuel...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: Recommendation No. 6 calls for the Minister to produce a report outlining the potential for Ireland to waive the excise exemption on aviation kerosene by entering into bilateral agreements to tax fuel for intracommunity flights. On Committee Stage, my colleague Senator Ruane stated that the Government provided €2.4 billion in subsidies to the fossil fuel industry in 2019, according to...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I would like to speak to amendment No. 5. Is that okay?

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I am sorry; I will wait.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: Amendment No. 5 seeks a report on the adequacy of social protection payments and options for benchmarking social protection payments to the minimum essential standard of living. This year, the MESL research centre had recommended a €27.50 increase to core adult social welfare rates but, instead, what we got in the budget was €12. In its post-budget analysis, the MESL research...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 5: In page 11, after line 34, to insert the following: “Report on adequacy of social protection payments and Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) 21. The Minister shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas and the Joint Committee on Social Protection a report on options for increasing and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I want to share a poem from Dr. Refaat Alareer from Gaza. He was a beautiful young man. He was a teacher of English literature, a translator and a poet who was murdered by Israel last Thursday. He was an individual with dreams as vivid as anyone sitting in this Chamber. His life mattered and he deserves justice as does every family in Gaza. As a tribute, people on Twitter have translated...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I also wish Tom Hickey well on his retirement. I thank him most sincerely for all his support down through the years I have been here. I speak on behalf of the Civil Engagement Group. He has been a great support and an absolute gentleman. He is professional to the core and I wish him well in his retirement. I also thank the Cathaoirleach for the work he has done this year and thank the...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: The Minister is very welcome to the House. I wish him and his family a very happy Christmas. This legislation has been a long time coming. I am glad that it has finally come before the Seanad. I pay tribute to the incredible work of the Together for Safety campaigners. Their dedication and persistence have helped get us through to this crucial stage. I also commend the Minister on his...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cardiovascular Health, Stroke and Heart Attack: Discussion (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I thank members for letting me come in early and thank our witnesses for presenting today. I have a few questions. In his opening statement, Mr. Macey noted that 80% of CVD is preventable, even though it equates to 30% of all mortality. He also mentioned specific factors such as smoking, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol intake. From the witnesses' experience, are certain...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cardiovascular Health, Stroke and Heart Attack: Discussion (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I worked very closely with the Irish Heart Foundation on the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. We all know that three people die each day from an alcohol-related issue in Ireland. Could the delegates say a little about the relationship between alcohol and heart disease or heart problems, and how alcohol plays a role?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cardiovascular Health, Stroke and Heart Attack: Discussion (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: The opening statement highlighted the need for a heart failure registry. Could the Irish Heart Foundation delegates say little about what it would look like and how it would operate? Their briefing note mentioned the expansion of the individual health identifier. Could they say a little about this tool, how it is being used and the impact of both the registry and the identifier on the care...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cardiovascular Health, Stroke and Heart Attack: Discussion (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I thank Ms O'Shea. Mr. O'Donnell, in his opening statement, noted the overall cost of CVD in 2021 was around €3.44 billion, with productivity losses of €855 million in a single year. To Mr. O'Donnell's knowledge, has a thorough cost–benefit analysis been undertaken? If not, what should it look like?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cardiovascular Health, Stroke and Heart Attack: Discussion (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: Do I gave time for one more question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for coming in and for the phenomenal work they are doing in this area. Work like this grows out of passion and need. The work they are doing is brilliant. It is very disappointing, particularly for the group that is before us today, that the Bill to reform the Mental Health Act is not on the priority publication list. My concern is that the lack of movement on that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: It seems very unfair. I am shocked at the cost of an assessment. I wish to touch on ADHD in particular. The report of the Mental Health Commission pointed to ADHD as the most frequent reason for children being referred to CAMHS. One often hears of children with ADHD being on waiting lists for lengthy periods as more urgent cases get seen first. What are the experiences of the members...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: Apologies; as I am attending the meeting remotely, I cannot see whether other people wish to come in. I do not mean to interrupt Ms Ní Ghiolla Mhairtín.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: Do the other witnesses wish to come in on that point?