Results 761-780 of 1,997 for speaker:Frances Black

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...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I welcome all the witnesses. I thank them for the work they are doing on this legislation, which I fully support.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: Yes, I am here in Leinster House.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: Many of the questions I was going to ask have been covered. I just want to echo what others have said about the urgency of progressing this legislation, especially as expressed in many of the submissions received. I refer to the frequency of anti-abortion protests in Ireland and the major negative effects this has had on pregnant people. I might have missed parts of this morning's meeting,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: No. I would just like the witnesses to elaborate on how the Department envisages the safe access zones will work and how they will be policed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses.

Joint Committee On Health: Business of Sub-Committee (18 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: Before we get to the main item on the agenda, draft copies of the minutes of the meetings of 28 June 2022, 11 July 2022 and 23 September 2022 have been circulated to members for consideration. Are these agreed? Agreed.

Joint Committee On Health: Issues Relating to Perinatal Mental Health: Discussion (18 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: The purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues relating to perinatal mental health. To enable the sub-committee to consider this matter, I am very pleased to welcome, from the Psychological Society of Ireland, PSI, Dr. Eithne Ní Longphuirt, senior clinical psychologist and chair of the PSI's special interest group in perinatal and infant mental health, and Dr. Jillian Doyle, senior...

Joint Committee On Health: Issues Relating to Perinatal Mental Health: Discussion (18 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: Are we able to show the slides? Yes. Fantastic.

Joint Committee On Health: Issues Relating to Perinatal Mental Health: Discussion (18 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I thank Dr. Wrigley and Dr. Niazi. I now invite Professor Anthony McCarthy to make his opening remarks on behalf of the National Maternity Hospital.

Joint Committee On Health: Issues Relating to Perinatal Mental Health: Discussion (18 Oct 2022)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for their contributions. It is really powerful to hear the passion they have when speaking about this issue. I now call Deputy Hourigan of the Green Party.