Results 261-280 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

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.

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 the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Women and Constitutional Change: Discussion (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I thank the committee members for allowing me to come in first and I also thank Professor Ashe for coming to the meeting. I totally agree with everything she is saying with regard, in particular, to planning and preparing. If there is going to be a referendum, that planning is vital and must be a priority at this point. In November, the committee heard from Professor Jennifer Todd and Dr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Women and Constitutional Change: Discussion (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: Great. I am conscious of the time. In Professor Ashe's opinion, how significant is a woman's educational experience to her participation in these discussions? Some people from the North who come to the South to study often find it more difficult to have those constitutional and political discussions here than they would at home. When they are on their own turf, it is easier. Has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Women and Constitutional Change: Discussion (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: How does Professor Ashe think she can prepare them for that? From her perspective, what would be the procedure, or how would she manage that? That is really important. Obviously, they will be anxious, so how would she manage to prepare them for that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Women and Constitutional Change: Discussion (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I thank Professor Ashe. This is fascinating. I apologise for having to leave. I have another engagement.

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Motion (21 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I move: That Seanad Éireann: deeply regrets and condemns: - the killing of over 28,000 Palestinians in Gaza in recent weeks; - that over 11,500 of those killed have been children, over 17,000 children have been left unaccompanied because Israeli attacks have killed their entire families; - that the number of children killed in Gaza in recent weeks has surpassed the annual number...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Motion (21 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. It is great to see him. I want in particular to thank all of the my Civil Engagement Group colleagues for their support with this motion. I highlight the work of Senator Lynn Ruane in particular. She is not here this evening. She is at the OSCE in Vienna trying to get politicians from across Europe to support an immediate ceasefire. She...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Motion (21 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: Let me start by thanking the Minister of State and the Government for not opposing this motion. It is not often that we are unified on something here in the Chamber and I am just blown away by the fact that it is on Palestine that we are unified. I feel quite emotional, so I ask Members to bear with me. I have been very passionate about Palestine for many years, as my colleagues in the...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (Resumed) (20 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I thank the Cathaoirleach for organising this debate. However, I am disappointed that the Tánaiste is not here as I intended to address my contribution to him. We have not had statements on the situation in Palestine for some time and it has become so much graver in the intervening months. Coincidentally, the Civil Engagement Group...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 3: In page 10, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: "(4) Notwithstanding subsection (3), the Minister shall commence the sections of this Bill necessary to the holding of an election for Mayor and for the functioning of that office within 3 months of the passing of this Act.". My Civil Engagement Group colleague Senator Alice-Mary Higgins has taken the...