Results 1-20 of 1,997 for speaker:Frances Black

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2025)

Frances Black: The Irish Neutrality League held a significant press conference this morning, when a coalition of Opposition TDs and Senators united to urge our Government to heed the voices of the people. Time and time again, polls have shown that the majority of our population remains steadfastly committed to maintaining our neutrality.We must call on the Government to halt any efforts that could...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2025)

Frances Black: I wish to hand my time over to Senator Higgins to respond to the Minister, if that is okay.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2025)

Frances Black: That is grand, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for being here today, and I will speak to section 2. The intention of this Private Members' Bill is to prevent Ireland from being actively complicit in Israel's ongoing genocide in Palestine. It is not a claim we make lightly.The International Court of Justice warned us 14 months ago that Israel was plausibly...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Mar 2025)

Frances Black: Yesterday morning I woke up to the devastating news of what is happening again in Gaza. Innocent people are being murdered. Men, women and children are being blown to bits again by Netanyahu and his army. These are people who are already starving and have no healthcare. Some of the videos are absolutely harrowing, devastating and outrageous. The world is watching. We are all standing...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Mar 2025)

Frances Black: It is vital to raise the issue of Ireland's policy of military neutrality, which is now under clear threat from this Government. I am deeply concerned by reports that the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, has begun preparations for the purchase of a fleet of fighter jets at a cost to the Exchequer of between €60 million and €100 million per year. In light of yesterday's formal...

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (5 Mar 2025)

Frances Black: I thank the Minister of State for being here and offer him huge congratulations on his recent appointment. I think back to 2016 when we used to sit over there and have the craic on that side of the House, so it is great to see where he is today. I look forward to working with him on issues across his brief in the coming term. I start by paying tribute to the millions of Irish people who...

Seanad: Care, Supports and Enhanced Provision of Services for Older People: Motion (5 Mar 2025)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the Seanad and congratulate him on his recent appointment. I look forward to working with him across his important brief in the coming term. I am grateful to the Fine Gael Senators for bringing forward this important and timely motion on care, supports and the enhanced provision of services for older people. It is certainly an area in urgent need of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Feb 2025)

Frances Black: I wish to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Donegal caused by the defective concrete blocks crisis. I was there myself recently and met with the families. It is absolutely devastating. We must consider the families, including the elderly and vulnerable within those families. They are trapped in homes that are structurally unsound and plagued by damp and mould. Children are...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2025)

Frances Black: I apologise for not being here last week to hear everybody's maiden speeches. I congratulate both colleagues who were re-elected and those new people who have just been elected. I am truly honoured to have been re-elected to Seanad Éireann. I thank all those who voted for me. I must highlight the position regarding the occupied territories Bill. We all know that the situation to...

Seanad: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (19 Feb 2025)

Frances Black: I move: "That Senator Eileen Flynn be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach." It is a great honour to propose my friend and colleague Senator Eileen Flynn for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Seanad. Eileen is not just a Senator; she is a beacon of hope and change for many. Prior to her election in 2020 she had dedicated more than a decade of her life as a human rights activist and a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2024)

Frances Black: I met homeowners from Donegal yesterday who were living in a nightmare situation because of mica and pyrite in their homes. This is a serious issue that thousands of property owners in Donegal are experiencing. Due to a failure to properly regulate quarries, it is estimated that up to 30,000 homes and many thousands of commercial properties have been built using defective concrete products....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2024)

Frances Black: I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 10 be taken before No. 1." I am introducing today my Private Members' legislation, the Local Government (Support for Elected Members) Bill 2024. I am grateful to my colleague, Senator Flynn, for seconding the Bill. This Bill is very simple. If passed, it would amend the Local Government Act 2001 to require that the...

Seanad: Local Government (Support for Elected Members) Bill 2024: First Stage (6 Nov 2024)

Frances Black: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide administrative support for elected members of local authorities to assist in the performance of their duties; to amend the Local Government Act 2001; and to provide for related matters.

Seanad: Local Government (Support for Elected Members) Bill 2024: First Stage (6 Nov 2024)

Frances Black: Next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces: Discussion (6 Nov 2024)

Frances Black: Do the witnesses believe there is a kind of unconscious moral model? Is that still there?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces: Discussion (6 Nov 2024)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee and for the time and resources they have dedicated to engaging with us today. I also particularly thank them for the presentation they give in September in the audiovisual room. It is important both to raise these issues and put them on the record and to give the wider public an opportunity to understand the valuable work the witnesses...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces: Discussion (6 Nov 2024)

Frances Black: Earlier the witnesses spoke of the need for a shift in focus and leadership. For many of us here our political careers begin with advocacy, for example, within our own communities. There is always the worry of us becoming disillusioned or detached the more we have to engage with the system. It is almost like a little bubble in here sometimes. That is why we need and why it is so important...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Frances Black: I will hand over to my legal team to answer that.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Frances Black: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I was hoping to have my legal team with me in case any questions might be asked on the legal aspects of the Bill. Is that okay?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Frances Black: Go raibh míle maith agat. I appreciate it. I thank the Cathaoirleach very much. I thank the Chair and the members of the committee for the opportunity to speak. I will try to be as brief as I possibly can because I want to leave time for a discussion and questions. I am joined by Gerry Liston from Sadaka and the Global Legal Action Network, and Conor O'Neill, who is the head of...