Results 1,741-1,760 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

Seanad: Private Rental Sector: Motion (6 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I too thank the Sinn Féin Senators for bringing forward this motion, and I am very happy to support it. There is no doubt about it: we all know what a disaster the housing market is and the catastrophic impact it is having on so many people's lives. I think every single person in this Chamber would personally know many young families who...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I thank the representatives for coming in, and for sharing their experience and expertise with the committee. This undertaking by the Seanad could represent a rethink of the very centralised, top-down approach that has traditionally characterised the approach to local democracy. I am glad we hearing the perspectives of people who have ministerial experience and have really made an impact on...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I sincerely thank all of the councillors for coming in today to share their expertise and experience with us. I also thank them for the amazing work that they do. They do phenomenal work. There is no doubt that being a councillor is a vocation because it is certainly not for the money. Councillors are so passionate about their work. When I travel around the country and meet councillors I...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I always feel slightly intimidated speaking after Senator Boyhan because he is such a brilliant speaker. . I thank everyone for coming in and sharing their experiences and expertise with the committee . I agree with everything Senator Boyhan said regarding taking on board all of the suggestions. I hope with all my heart that something really positive comes out of this meeting today. I am...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (20 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: I thank Sadaka for all its help. I pay tribute to that organisation on the work it has done on the occupied territories Bill. I specifically thank Deputy Brady and Sinn Féin for introducing this brilliant legislation. It is very simple legislation. It is not rocket science. It could easily be passed if allowed. I thank the representatives of IPSC and Sadaka for appearing before the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (20 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: I have a couple of further questions if that is okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (20 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: I agree totally with Mr. Ó Éigeartaigh. It is shocking to think the Irish taxpayer is complicit. To think I am complicit in this is horrifying. I want to talk a bit about the occupied territories Bill. As is well known, the Government blocked the progression of the occupied territories Bill by citing legal advice from the Attorney General who said it would violate EU law. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (20 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: Can I finish by stating it is very important that the Government takes action. It is not enough to continuously come out and make speeches and condemn what is happening. The people of Ireland want action on this. I thank Mr. Meehan for his presentation today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2024: Discussion (20 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: That is good to hear. Mr. Gloster is correct that some of the stories are truly heartbreaking. My next question relates to the workforce. Mr. Gloster stated that we now have the highest workforce in the history of the Irish health service. He mentioned that there has been a 21.8% increase since the end of 2019. Is this overall healthcare staff or those employed directly by the HSE?...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2024: Discussion (20 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: I thank Ms Hoey for that information. I was very pleased to hear that five out of the six new regional executive officers are now in place. Again, I commend all of the work done in this regard. Would it be possible for one of the REOs to outline the work thus far and to highlight any instances of particular challenges that might arise? I would be really interested to know whether...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2024: Discussion (20 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: I welcome Mr. Gloster and his colleagues. I thank them for all the work they are doing. They have a difficult job ahead of them so I just want to acknowledge the work they are doing. Mr Gloster referred briefly in his opening statement to the transfer of functions in respect of disability services to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, which took...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2024: Discussion (20 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: I totally agree. If we can focus more on prevention and intervention, it will ease pressure on the emergency departments and even on general practitioners and other doctors. I totally agree with that. I thank the witnesses. I am happy with those answers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delivery of Health Services for Patients with Long Covid: Discussion (17 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: I will keep it short. I commend our guests on the work they are doing and thank them for it. It is very important work. They have highlighted the dismissal, minimisation and gaslighting they have experienced, on top of long Covid itself. That must be horrific. I really acknowledge what they have said. I agree with Ms O'Donovan that it should not be treated as a psychological issue,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delivery of Health Services for Patients with Long Covid: Discussion (17 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: Have the witnesses spoken to the HSE about that and has there been any response?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delivery of Health Services for Patients with Long Covid: Discussion (17 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: What was the response?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delivery of Health Services for Patients with Long Covid: Discussion (17 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: I thank all the witnesses for being here. The witnesses mentioned that general paediatric consultants should be diagnosing and managing children with suspected long Covid. Parents who have connected with LCAI are saying that consultants do not really have the knowledge because they have not been trained. What should parents do when they feel that consultants are not really able to diagnose...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delivery of Health Services for Patients with Long Covid: Discussion (17 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: Is there specific training for these consultants?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delivery of Health Services for Patients with Long Covid: Discussion (17 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: In the HIQA report, the drawing up of clinical guidelines with PPI involvement was recommended. This has not been done yet. Do the witnesses know why?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delivery of Health Services for Patients with Long Covid: Discussion (17 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: The drawing up of clinical guidelines with PPI involvement.