Results 1-20 of 2,054 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Healthcare Provision: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Frances Black: I sincerely thank both witnesses for coming in. Many of our upcoming discussions at this committee, particularly on health, will be the first of their kind, at least on this scale. In the spirit of that, we are aiming to achieve something that has not been done. That is what the vision is anyway. We know there is a huge gap in this space. There is no doubt about that. I would love to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Healthcare Provision: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Frances Black: My question relates to the report we hope to bring out after this. We will have many sessions on health over the next few months. I have found this session fascinating. It is almost like the witnesses have given us all the answers. It is not rocket science. It is just about bringing people together and getting people to sit down around the table to agree a strategy, basically, and then...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Frances Black: I second the amendment. I also welcome Senator Chris Andrews back to the Chamber as well. I, too, welcome the ceasefire today. I absolutely endorse everything Senator Patricia Stephenson said. On behalf of the Civil Engagement Group, we send our condolences to Senator Teresa Costello and her family on the passing of her father recently. Today, I want to speak on voting rights for those...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2025)

Frances Black: I wish to read out a press statement that was sent to me by Dr. Mustafa Barghouti MP and leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, today, on the second anniversary of the genocidal war in Gaza. Today marks two years since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, during which Israel committed three war crimes in parallel: a genocide, the collective punishment of the civilian...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Oct 2025)

Frances Black: Shame.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Oct 2025)

Frances Black: It is absolutely outrageous that what happened yesterday to Irish citizens has been used as a political football and that cheap shots have been made at another party here today. What Israel is doing is beyond belief. It is committing genocide, killing children and breaking international law. The world is watching. None of the governing bodies is doing anything. Plenty are talking about...

Seanad: Global Sumud Flotilla: Statements (2 Oct 2025)

Frances Black: Freedom of navigation is central to the law of the sea and, as such, the flotilla is entitled to sail unimpeded in the Mediterranean Sea. Any harassment or stopping of the flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea's international waters is therefore a clear violation of international law. The participants, as we all know, were all peaceful, unarmed civilians and posed no threat to Israel. They...

Seanad: Global Sumud Flotilla: Statements (2 Oct 2025)

Frances Black: I was referring to what Senator O'Loughlin said this morning. I said to her that we need action. It is vital that the occupied territories Bill be passed as soon as possible and that it include services. I will meet the Tánaiste next week to discuss this with him. The Bill's passage would send an unbelievably strong signal to the Palestinian people and the human rights activists,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (30 Sep 2025)

Frances Black: As the Leader is probably aware, the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail in late August and has travelled for over 30 days towards Gaza to deliver lifesaving aid to Palestinians in the midst of an horrific genocide. Among the aid is baby formula and lifesaving medical care. We all know that in Gaza we are witnessing a 21st century genocide broadcast in real time. We have seen the footage of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Engagement with Institute of Public Health (30 Sep 2025)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for coming in to us. I will focus my first question on women's mental health. This may be for Ms Costello; I do not know. The latest women's health outcomes reports show that over the past few years suicide has been the second or third leading cause of female deaths: 12% in 2023, 13% in 2019 and 13% in 2015. The reports also highlight some really worrying trends,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Engagement with Institute of Public Health (30 Sep 2025)

Frances Black: I thank Dr. Kavanagh for that. He mentioned how health was influenced by a range of social, economic and environmental factors. One of Dr. Kavanagh's roles is to inform public policy in a way that reduces health inequalities and improves health equity for everyone on the island. This committee discusses a lot as regards constitutional change. If we are building a plan for what would...

Committee on Drugs Use: Family Supports: Discussion (25 Sep 2025)

Frances Black: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the invitation. It really is great to be here with guests from Northstar Family Support Project Limerick, the Family Addiction Support Network, Coolmine treatment centre, FARI and Uisce. I will try not to talk for too long because I understand time is precious. I will just speak very briefly about what RISE does. The previous speaker has covered the exact...

Committee on Drugs Use: Family Supports: Discussion (25 Sep 2025)

Frances Black: I thank Deputy Sherlock for the question. I agree with Mr. Slattery. There has to be a stand-alone service for family members for their own separate recovery because, as others have said, addiction impacts the whole family in a devastating way. It is really important that the recognition for family support and family therapy is part of the comprehensive public health approach in Ireland....

Committee on Drugs Use: Family Supports: Discussion (25 Sep 2025)

Frances Black: I am only picking up some of the questions. I was very interested in Senator Ní Chuilinn's questions about the model. RISE is an online programme where we have a one to one service. We have a ten-week family programme and an aftercare programme. That model works very well when working with FASN in the north east, or any of the other family addiction support networks and peer to peer...

Committee on Drugs Use: Family Supports: Discussion (25 Sep 2025)

Frances Black: First, I am sorry I cannot be present at the committee meeting in person today. My signal was not great today so I was only picking up on some of the conversation. It has been a privilege to be presenting here today with such phenomenal organisations which do brilliant work. It is absolutely vital there is appropriate funding and policy support for all of these organisations that are doing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Legal and Policy Gaps in Adult Safeguarding: Discussion (9 Jul 2025)

Frances Black: I am not a member of the committee, so I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to come in. This is a really important issue. I want to thank all the witnesses for the phenomenal work they are doing in this area. Their dedication and commitment are phenomenal. I cannot believe we are here again discussing this issue. My colleague, former Senator Colette Kelleher, introduced this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Legal and Policy Gaps in Adult Safeguarding: Discussion (9 Jul 2025)

Frances Black: I will not ask more questions because I am conscious of time, but I hope this will be made a priority of the Committee on Health going forward. I am not a member, but I know the Chair is good about this issue. I thank all the witnesses for the amazing work they do. It must get very frustrating for them at times. I cannot imagine what it is like to receive horrific stories every day and...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy: Statements (8 Jul 2025)

Frances Black: The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber. This is the first opportunity I have had to congratulate her on her new role. I hope she is very well settled into her brief. I know she is very passionate about this area. My colleagues and I in the Civil Engagement Group look forward to working with the Minister of State in the term ahead, particularly my colleague, Senator Lynn...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Jul 2025)

Frances Black: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I was very encouraged yesterday by the very diplomatic and constructive discussions among members yesterday when I was at the meeting. It was lovely to see and I thank members for that. I thank the committee for the opportunity to speak today. This is a really significant moment and it is one I want to recognise and strongly welcome. I have been working on this...