Results 761-780 of 2,007 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: An Garda Síochána (9 Nov 2022)

Frances Black: I thank the Cathaoirleach letting me come in a little early. Unfortunately, I will have to leave for something happening at 11 a.m. I thank our witnesses for coming in. I have only a couple of questions. I wish to ask about New Zealand. Recently, New Zealand introduced a version of safe access zones. Breaches of those zones are punishable by fines of up to 1,000 New Zealand dollars....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: An Garda Síochána (9 Nov 2022)

Frances Black: In the submission it was mentioned that consideration should be given to the register of service providers to target the enforcement of safe access zones. I agree with that as it is a very good idea. I imagine that this list would be incredibly helpful to those who seek to access abortion services but it might also run the risk of attracting additional protests. Does the delegation think...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: An Garda Síochána (9 Nov 2022)

Frances Black: I thank the Chair and members for allowing me to comment and ask questions. Finally, I thank the witnesses.

Seanad: Housing for All: Statements (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Like my colleagues who spoke before me, I would love to see Housing for All work. I believe the housing crisis is probably the largest single failure of the modern Irish State. It is difficult to speak about it because it feels as if we are in a state of perpetual dysfunction. The debate in this House can sometimes feel a bit like a stage play...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement (Resumed): Senator George J. Mitchell (27 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: Thank you very much for that introduction, Chair. It truly is an honour to meet Senator Mitchell today, even though it is online. He has been an inspiration to many for many years. I say a huge thank you to him for all the work he has done on the Good Friday Agreement. I met him a few years ago through Jim Zogby in Washington. Again, it was only online, but I hope some day to meet him in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement (Resumed): Senator George J. Mitchell (27 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I refer to what is happening at the moment with regard to Brexit, Westminster and Stormont.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement (Resumed): Senator George J. Mitchell (27 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I thank Senator Mitchell very much for his response. As we approach the 25th anniversary, I have always wanted to know which aspect of the Good Friday Agreement is Senator Mitchell most proud of?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement (Resumed): Senator George J. Mitchell (27 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I thank Senator Mitchell so much. He truly is an inspiration.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Other Voices on the Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland: Referendums and Lessons from Other Jurisdictions (27 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I thank all of our guests. It has been a really fascinating process today. It has been very informative. It was very exciting to hear everything that was said today. I will try to keep it short. I will come to the Scottish National Party first. I warmly welcome everyone but I am really delighted to see them represented here today. Will the witnesses speak a little more about the White...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I thank Mr. Kearns for the work he is doing. I agree with his opening statement which is a breath of fresh air. It is vital that significant time and resourcing are given for the RHAs to be successfully implemented. I ask Mr. Kearns to forgive me if these questions have been asked; I arrived late to the meeting. We all know the extreme pressure that was placed on healthcare workers...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I totally agree with Mr. Kearns. For a great many people who work in this area, it is a vocation and they are passionate about what they do. Does Mr. Kearns think that this should be the first step? It is a huge piece of work, which he has just explained very clearly. Does he think that it should be a priority? What is the first step? I can only imagine what it must be like for people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: Everything.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: Mr. Kearns is right. There are so many crises going on that it can be a bit difficult for people even to look at this. Have I time for one more question, Vice Chair?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Sláintecare Implementation: Regional Health Areas Advisory Group (26 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: It is about mental health. Given that more than 40% of Irish adults have a mental health disorder, there is no doubt but that demand for adequate mental health services is to be predicted for each RHA. The population-based approach seems absolutely rational, but is the advisory group giving any thought to a demographic-based approach? Some parts of Dublin, for example, straddle three...

Seanad: VAT Rate for Tourism and Hospitality Sectors: Statements (Resumed) (19 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The tourism and hospitality sectors are extremely important parts of the Irish economy. It is good to see that the Government has recognised this and assisted the sector by imposing a reduced VAT rate. That rate was further reduced during the pandemic to support these sectors which were some of the worst-impacted sectors during Covid-19. This...

Seanad: Poverty and Social Exclusion: Motion (19 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I second this motion. I am glad to be here to be able to second this powerful motion tabled by my friend and colleague, Senator Ruane. Poverty is a scourge. It afflicts the lives of a shameful number of people. Living in poverty makes everything so much harder. Deprivation robs people of the peace and security they need to relax, to enjoy themselves and to plan for the future. Every day...