Results 261-280 of 1,997 for speaker:Frances Black

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...

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

Frances Black: Yes. I am speaking to these amendments. The people of Limerick have voted for a directly elected mayor, and this is a choice that should be offered to the people of every city in this country. It is clearly better to have an elected official entrusted with the powers available to local authorities than unaccountable officials. In Dublin, we have seen how council CEOs can be totally out of...

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

Frances Black: I am speaking to the amendments.

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

Frances Black: I hear what the Acting Chairman is saying. Like all politicians, local representatives need proper protections and supports so they can cope in a political environment that is increasingly fraught and dangerous. Those of us in this House who are members of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee are having a series of meetings on the future of local democracy. We have heard from many...

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

Frances Black: I know the Acting Chairman is aware of that. They get involved because they care about their communities and have ideas to make change. Local councillors work so hard under challenging and frustrating conditions to serve the people of their areas. If given the support they need and properly empowered, councillors and directly elected mayors could represent the future of Irish local...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Health Needs of Persons with Dementia and the Services Available: Discussion (7 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I want to most sincerely thank the witnesses for the phenomenal work they are all doing, for coming into the committee today and sharing their experience and expertise with us. This is an absolutely vital issue, and there is no about it, we are living in an ageing society, where issues of dignity, autonomy and care are going to become more relevant as a greater proportion of society will...

Seanad: Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House today. I acknowledge the courage, dignity and resolve of the campaigners and whistleblowers who brought this issue to light, the Women of Honour who are here today, the Defence Forces Justice Alliance and the Canary Movement. I am glad that Senator Clonan is in the Chamber to speak about this proposal. It is powerful to have someone who has...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (24 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: I wish to speak in support of amendments Nos. 68 to 84, inclusive, from Senator Boyhan in this grouping.I sincerely thank Senator Boyhan for bringing forward these amendments. It is vital that the participation of councillors on local policing boards is protected in the Bill. I understand the desire of the Government to broaden the scope of who is involved in these bodies, and I support...

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?

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

Frances Black: Many members have asked questions on discrimination against autistic children, to which reference was made in the opening statement. Did the witnesses state that they have raised these concerns with the Department of Health but have not yet got a response?

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

Frances Black: So Ms Ní Ghiolla Mhairtín does not really know the official policy position. What are her thoughts as to why autistic children are discriminated against?

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 the phenomenal work they are doing. Their group will make a difference. Keep up the great work.