Results 361-380 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

Committee on Mental Health: Mental Health Care for Migrants and Ethnic Minorities: Discussion (7 Nov 2023)

Frances Black: I thank Deputy Kenny. Before I bring in Deputy Hourigan, I want to extend apologies from some of our members. Two of our members are very sick this week and could not attend which is why we only have two committee members in attendance today.

Committee on Mental Health: Mental Health Care for Migrants and Ethnic Minorities: Discussion (7 Nov 2023)

Frances Black: I have a couple questions. An awful lot has been covered. I thank the witnesses for the amazing work they are doing. The work they do is mind-blowing. I wish to start by thanking them for what they do. I am aware the HSE’s social inclusion office does much work in this area. I heard a member of that office speak at a mental health reform event a few months ago and she was...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreements) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages [Private Members] (25 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I begin by saying how proud I am to have been one of the co-sponsors of this really important piece of legislation alongside my Civil Engagement Group colleagues. However, I have to say all praise is owed to my colleague and friend, Senator Lynn Ruane and to Robert in her office, to Brian and her whole team, and the incredible coalition of experts and activists that Senator Ruane assembled...

Seanad: The Political Situation in Northern Ireland: Statements (25 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: The Minister of State is very welcome. I also welcome the officials from the Department and thank them for all the work they do. This is a really important issue. I welcome to the Gallery Professor Colin Harvey, a professor of human rights law at Queen's University Belfast and a commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The situation in the North of Ireland is not...

Seanad: Situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: The Minister of State is very welcome. Obviously, the attacks on innocent Israeli citizens have to be condemned by all right-thinking people. I echo this condemnation. However, I am acutely aware that while we sit here debating the correct language to use and the correct diplomatic approach to take, genocide is unfolding before our eyes. Israel's defence minister described the people of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for their interesting contributions. As they might be aware, I am substituting for my colleague, Senator Higgins. Recommendation No. 31 of the citizen's assembly is crystal clear, namely, that we should table a constitutional amendment to establish substantive rights, both for humans and for nature more broadly. We are subject to EU environmental law, including the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: This is the final question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: Okay.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I want to talk about two brilliant and kind young women, two wonderful sisters who have worked in the Oireachtas. Yara Alagha used to work for the Civil Engagement Group and her sister Lara still works for the Green Party. This morning ten members of the Alagha family were killed by an Israeli bombing of their house in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. I am trying not to get emotional and I...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 1: In page 8, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “ “automated means” means the use of any algorithm, recommender system, or other automated system which uses data processing, machine learning, or other artificial intelligence techniques to make decisions or suggest information to users;”. I welcome the Minister of State to...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I am disappointed to hear the Minister of State will not be accepting our amendments. This is a human rights issue. The Minister of State has heard many of the people I have spoken about speak on the issue. It is worrying. Ireland should not allow the export of such items or their transfer through this State because of those human rights issues. I am disappointed to hear the Minister of...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 3: In page 8, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: “ “Convention” means the Convention on Cluster Munitions adopted in Dublin in May 2008 which Ireland is party to;”. This set of amendments relates to Ireland's international obligations as a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Ireland played a key role in the...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I look forward to engaging with the Minister of State on this.

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 5: In page 11, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “ “relevant occupied territory” means a territory which is occupied within the meaning of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and which has been— (a) confirmed as such in a decision or advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, (b) confirmed as such in a decision of the...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: Would I be right in saying the Minister of State is open to discussing the issue before he makes a final decision?

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I appreciate that.

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: Ireland does not want to be complicit in breaking international law. We have to be mindful of that at all times. What is happening in the occupied territories is that international law is being broken. We must be mindful of not breaking international law. Ireland is meant to be a neutral country, which I believe is one of our core values. I urge the Minister of State to consider the...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 8: In page 18, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “Control on export of dual-use items featuring automated means 20.(1) Notwithstanding sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, authorisation shall not be granted to a person or organisation to transit a dual-use item through or from the State where such an item utilises automated means to...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 9: In page 18, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “Restriction on export of dual-use items to a relevant occupied territory 20.(1) Notwithstanding sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, authorisation shall not be granted to a person or organisation to transit a dual-use item through or from the State where such an item is destined for a...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2023: Committee Stage (11 Oct 2023)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 10: In page 21, to delete lines 13 to 16. I have tabled this amendment to section 25 as I have a concern about section 25(3), specifically due to the manner in which it disapplies section 25(1) to brokers who have "an authorisation or other licence or consent for the provision of the brokering services with like effect to an authorisation, granted to the person...