Results 561-580 of 636 for speaker:Joan Freeman

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Children's Mental Health Services: Seanad Public Consultation Committee (28 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: I am conscious Dr. Shannon has been in the spotlight for nearly two hours. We have one more question from Deputy Neville. Is there any other question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Children's Mental Health Services: Seanad Public Consultation Committee (28 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: I would add to that as well that it was wonderful to see the compassion of gardaí outlined in Dr. Shannon's report. Knowing that makes the terrible issues a tiny bit softer. I thank Dr. Shannon. He really has been incredible this morning. I thank him for the way he answered all the questions. It was certainly a rapid-fire approach and we are very grateful. If there is anything we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Children's Mental Health Services: Seanad Public Consultation Committee (28 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: If we can get them back to Deputy Funchion before 7 July-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Children's Mental Health Services: Seanad Public Consultation Committee (28 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: -----is that all right?

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: I might be out of kilter.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach, and also Senator Kelleher. She was trying to right a wrong. Senator Norris was quite rude and offensive a little while ago.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: I absolutely support amendments Nos. 1, 2 and 3. I am really disappointed that the Minister of State is not accepting the Bill. I am full of admiration for Senators Daly, Swanick and Ardagh for the hard work that they have put into this Bill and the patience of the people here who have been waiting for this for so long. They must be feeling totally and utterly frustrated. On behalf of the...

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I send my warmest congratulations to the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, on his promotion. I am absolutely delighted and I look forward to working with him in the future, as I have done in the past. I am grateful for the opportunity to debate the Bill, which has been co-sponsored by Senators Craughwell and Marie-Louise O'Donnell. I...

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: Yes.

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: The Children's Mental Health Coalition comprises 50 member organisations from a range of backgrounds and sectors. The coalition has previously submitted to the Department of Health - in its review of the Mental Health Act 2001 - that legislation should be enacted to end the practice and that children should only be admitted to such units in exceptional circumstances. Even then, such units...

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: If we take a closer look at the reasons for these admissions, we can see that it is closely linked to two shortcomings relating to child and adolescent mental health services. First, there is a critical lack of inpatient beds in Ireland. Even more worrying is the chronic shortage of consultant child psychiatrists. Such psychiatrists are responsible for authorising these admissions....

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: I thank the Minister of State and all those Senators who took part in today's debate. I again thank those who co-sponsored the Bill, Senators Craughwell and Marie-Louise O'Donnell, as well as Senator Boyhan who seconded the Bill today. I have five minutes, but there is so much I want to say. There are a few really important things we need to understand. In 2012 we had an historic...

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Joan Freeman: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Joan Freeman: I do not know if Members have noticed the headlines over three days relating to the children of our country. I would be interested to know what the visitors to the House think of how this nation treats its children. The first headline stated that a 16 year old child sat overnight in an accident and emergency department waiting to see a consultant psychiatrist. She was suicidal. No...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Findings of HIQA Statutory Foster Care Service Inspection Reports: Discussion (17 May 2017)

Joan Freeman: Of course.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Findings of HIQA Statutory Foster Care Service Inspection Reports: Discussion (17 May 2017)

Joan Freeman: I thank Ms Dunnion for that presentation. She informed me of matters I did not know about. I am so grateful for HIQA and for the role that it plays in society. First, the fundamental piece that struck me is how serious this is. Ms Dunnion highlighted that the areas that need to be looked at are the assessment of foster carers and management of allegations - those were two issues. I am...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Findings of HIQA Statutory Foster Care Service Inspection Reports: Discussion (17 May 2017)

Joan Freeman: It is five years.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2017)

Joan Freeman: I thank all of the Members of both Houses who participated in the Darkness into Light event. It was one of the biggest turnouts we had had. Up to 200,000 people participated in events across the country last Saturday morning and I thank all of those who took part. I am also grateful for the lovely warm congratulations I have received today. However, the dramatic cut in the mental health...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2017)

Joan Freeman: I am sorry, no.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2017)

Joan Freeman: No. We are talking about-----