Results 961-980 of 2,007 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Committee On Health: Addiction Services: Discussion (14 Jun 2022)

Frances Black: I will come to the Family Addiction Support Network but I have a final question for the Tabor Group. What would be on the wish list that would make things perfect and where the witnesses would not have to wake up to any kind of anxiety around funding? What would make things great for the organisation? Is it about expanding services or ensuring there is enough funding for the heating bill?...

Joint Committee On Health: Addiction Services: Discussion (14 Jun 2022)

Frances Black: I will ask the same question of the other group. What would be the perfect scenario for it? I ask that question and I mean a couple of things. I am referring to specifically within its area of the north east but I am also talking about the position nationally and in general around families. What would the group like to see if it had a magic wand?

Joint Committee On Health: Addiction Services: Discussion (14 Jun 2022)

Frances Black: I cannot thank our guests enough for coming in. I apologise for having to cancel the meeting planned a few weeks ago. I worked very closely with the Family Addiction Support Network and I will continue to do so. I think you are all wonderful. I visited Tabor Lodge and was blown away by everything you do down there and by its recovery process. I totally agree with our guests on having all...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 May 2022)

Frances Black: Last Tuesday, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, brought the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021 to Cabinet for approval. It is a glaring and worrying omission from the soon-to-be published Bill that people who are involuntarily detained under the Mental Health Act 2001 will not be afforded their human rights. As...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Frances Black: Amendment No. 173 takes the language from Part 5 of the Bill about how the public health interests of children must be a key consideration of how the media regulator regulates advertising and transposes it to the section covering digital media. At this point, I would like to thank Kathryn Reilly of the Irish Heart Foundation for her assistance with this amendment. One of the important...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 176: In page 82, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “(2A) Provision made for the purpose referred to in subsection (2)(d) may prohibit the inclusion in programmes of commercial communications relating to foods or beverages considered by the Commission to be the subject of public concern in respect of the general public health interests of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 May 2022)

Frances Black: Last week in this Chamber I spoke about the murder of Shireen Abu Akleh and the shameful attacks on her funeral procession. I said that it was part of a pattern of Israeli violence and repression employed to suppress the voices of those highlighting human rights abuses in the region. I called for accountability and meaningful repercussions of the violation of international law. There is an...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 May 2022)

Frances Black: Amendment No. 124 seeks to insert "or alcohol" into the section dealing with potentially harmful products so that the commission may limit commercial communications in the public health interests of children. I thank Alcohol Action Ireland for its diligent work in this area and its support in drafting this amendment. The regulatory impact analysis for the Bill stated that alcohol marketing...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 May 2022)

Frances Black: I have to disagree with the Minister. The Public Health (Alcohol) Act says nothing about online advertising. Section 14 of that Act prohibits the advertising of alcohol, but in tiny places. It has nothing to do with online advertising. Again, the content element of the legislation has not been implemented. While I am on the subject, I will return to the WHO report. I must put on the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 May 2022)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 124: In page 53, line 22, after "sugars" to insert "or alcohol".

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 May 2022)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 126: In page 53, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: "(5A) Provision made for the purpose referred to in subsection (2)(d)(ii) may prohibit the inclusion in programmes of commercial communications relating to gambling considered by the Commission to be the subject of public concern in respect of the general public health interests of children.". This...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by US Congressman Richard Neal (24 May 2022)

Frances Black: I am honoured to speak today on behalf of my colleagues, Senators Higgins, Ruane and Flynn of the Civil Engagement Group. I warmly welcome Congressman Neal here today along with the congressional delegation and the ambassador. His dedication and his commitment are deeply appreciated by the people of Ireland. The deep ties between our countries are well known and enduring. Human...

Seanad: Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (18 May 2022)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I support this Bill. I want to express my respect and admiration for my Civil Engagement Group colleague, Senator Higgins, for the diligent research and massive effort that went into the Bill. I want to speak to this section, which details a procedure for the Minister to produce guidelines for the qualitative, environmental and social human...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2022: Discussion (18 May 2022)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses because I cannot imagine what the past few years have been like with everything that has been going on, particularly Covid-19. I thank the HSE for all its hard work as I imagine that period has been quite stressful. I want to highlight the Owenacurra centre and the correspondence the committee received from the HSE yesterday justifying the decision to close it. It was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2022: Discussion (18 May 2022)

Frances Black: One of the residents' main concerns was that they would be moved outside of the Midleton area. They speak a lot about being able to walk out of the building and go down to the local shop. One man said he had gone to the folk club the previous night. Will the new premises be in Midleton? Will it be in the centre of Midleton? Will it be close to the town centre?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2022: Discussion (18 May 2022)

Frances Black: Continued engagement with stakeholders towards the implementation of the provisions of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 on a risk priority basis is listed as a priority for the environmental health service for 2022. Will the officials elaborate on which provisions are yet to be implemented and what factors are impeding the process?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2022: Discussion (18 May 2022)

Frances Black: Great. I thank Mr. Reid. Finally, the service plan refers to expanding access to alcohol and drug services in the community, including the support of individuals in recovery, expanding support for women, and expanding support for dealing with substance misuse issues when it comes to the families of individuals who struggle with addiction. That is all very welcome. Will the officials say...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2022: Discussion (18 May 2022)

Frances Black: I thank Ms O'Neill. That would be very helpful. Again, I thank everyone for their phenomenal hard work. We do really appreciate it.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 May 2022)

Frances Black: It is great to see Senator Buttimer in the hot seat. Like my colleague, I want to highlight the horrendous killing of Palestinian journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed by an Israeli sniper last Wednesday. She was killed while covering an Israeli military incursion into Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. It is a territory administered by the Palestinian Authority under...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 May 2022)

Frances Black: These killings are connected to Israel's attempts to outlaw Palestinian human rights organisations, like Al-Haq, by smearing them as terrorists. They are connected to the brutal beating of Hani Nassar, a researcher for Defense of Children International, a Palestinian NGO, who was violently attacked a few days ago, first by Israeli settlers and then by IDF soldiers near the illegal Israeli...