Results 81-100 of 128 for justice speaker:Frances Black

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2019)

Frances Black: ...to see this interest and support around the world. Many other countries have also invited us to visit. The attention being paid to Ireland as a leader on issues of human rights and international justice is inspiring. I come back to this session more determined than ever to see this Bill pass its final stages and become law. However, as many of my colleagues will know, one of the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2019)

Frances Black: ...friends went to college and now have jobs. She was accepted recently into two colleges, but unfortunately she cannot take up those places because of her status. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality reviewed the migration system in 2016 and made five key recommendations, one of which was the regularisation of undocumented people in Ireland. That received cross-party...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2019)

Frances Black: ...want to highlight certain points. In the context of housing, I have heard two important messages. The first of these is that the responsibility for protection should not fall to the Department of Justice and Equality given that its expertise does not lie in the areas of housing or social care. Second, Ms Finn stated we need to move away from institutionalisation and described the current...

Seanad: Mental Health Services: Motion (29 May 2019)

Frances Black: .... People are being let down. The Minister of State is aware of all of this, though, and I do not want to repeat myself. I wish to touch on another issue. I am a member of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality. I would love the Minister of State to read the presentations that I listened to this morning. The committee is reviewing the direct provision system. We were joined this...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2019)

Frances Black: ...action and resist any attempts to just greenwash or have business as usual. That is not an option. Our transition to a climate-friendly country must be rooted in principles of social and economic justice. The whole movement for a just transition is based on the belief that no one can be left behind and that we cannot let the most marginalised and disadvantaged bear the brunt of these...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (22 May 2019)

Frances Black: I thank all of the witnesses for their presentations and the work they do. This topic is of huge concern to me. I am really glad to hear Mr. Justice McMahon say the situation has improved over the past five years but I still find it very depressing, very sad and heartbreaking. The first question I will ask Mr. Justice McMahon is about the right to work. This has been highlighted by direct...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (22 May 2019)

Frances Black: ...in the future seeking a State apology and redress scheme? Could a claim be made that basic constitutional rights or rights outlined in international human rights instruments are being violated? Mr. Justice McMahon's comments on the victims of trafficking are extremely upsetting. It is shocking to hear that there are no services in place for those who went through such horrendous...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Frances Black: ...and throughout the country today, one can clearly see that she was an incredible woman who embodied the values of Trócaire as a courageous, passionate advocate for human rights, dignity and social justice all over the world. She dedicated her life to improving the lives of others, working alongside poor or marginalised communities, particularly in Central America.Even in Dublin, the...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Frances Black: ...this does not work. At the moment, we do not have an answer for them, and it is causing huge anxiety. Professor Colin Harvey of Queen's University, Belfast, gave a fantastic presentation to the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality recently on citizens' fundamental rights. He asked what rights he will have as an Irish citizen in the event of a no-deal Brexit. He produced his Irish...

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Frances Black: ...of Traveller ethnicity. That was such a fantastic location and a hugely positive step, and I will never forget the presentations from members of the Traveller community to the Committee on Justice and Equality. However, it is not enough to take that step and then see little change in the material conditions of everyday life for Travellers. We need to step up in this regard and housing...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Second Stage (13 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: ...in the idea that after a certain period of time, people deserve a second chance and the opportunity to turn their lives around. We are dealing with the most basic principles of rehabilitative justice. If we believe in rehabilitation, we need to think seriously about how that works in practice. The current system is a blunt, unjust instrument which has a massively negative impact on...

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (5 Dec 2018)

Frances Black: ...know how much it means to the Palestinian people to know that someone out there cares. Today, we send a strong signal that Ireland will always stand on the side of international law, human rights and justice. I am deeply thankful to Sinn Féin which has been so committed and principled on this issue for decades and gave up its Private Members' time to facilitate the Bill. I thank it...

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (5 Dec 2018)

Frances Black: ...is also here tonight and I thank him so much for all his support. Ultimately I am pursuing this initiative because I want to see Ireland take a stronger lead on issues of human rights and social justice. I do not believe such stances hinder our international standing. I believe they greatly enhance it. I saw the impact of settlement expansion myself when I visited the West Bank earlier...

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2018)

Frances Black: ...legal consensus that the settlements violate international law. This is the long-standing and consistent position of the Irish Government, the EU, the UN and the International Court of Justice. I agree with colleagues across the House and would welcome further rulings by the courts in question. For example, a strong case can be made for Western Sahara. Recognising that colleagues may...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Naturalisation of Minors Born in Ireland) Bill 2018: Second Stage (21 Nov 2018)

Frances Black: ...to school in St. Cronan’s in Bray and it was really heartening and inspiring to see his friends and classmates rallying behind him and opposing what was happening. Those kids could see a clear injustice. They understood how cruel and inhumane it would be to take this boy from his home, friends, school and life and send him to the other side of the world to a place he has never...

Seanad: Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018: Committee Stage (17 Oct 2018)

Frances Black: ...have been involved, the individuals and civil society groups who worked so hard on it. I am so proud to support them. I will now address amendment No. 1. As a member of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, I will never forget the meetings we held in 2016 where the witnesses who made presentations to the committee were people who work with and are members of the Traveller...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Community Policing and Rural Crime: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2018)

Frances Black: ...sure the other organisations are very concerned by this, would it be worth it to have everybody working together possibly to formulate a proposal or strategy that could be given to the Minister for Justice and Equality, for example? It would outline what the groups are seeking, for example. Has that happened and, if not, would it be an idea for the groups to come together to formulate...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (Resumed) (11 Jul 2018)

Frances Black: .... They are written by Mr. Michael Lynn, senior counsel, and Judge James Crawford, professor of international law at the University of Cambridge and a sitting judge at the International Court of Justice. The Government may disagree, but these are some of the most eminent and authoritative legal scholars in Ireland and the world. Their input carries weight. I also thank Senator McDowell,...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (Resumed) (11 Jul 2018)

Frances Black: ...goods have been produced as the result of war crimes, we should not be trading in them. To me, this is the bare minimum that should be expected of an EU member state and a country committed to justice and human rights. I urge my colleagues to reaffirm that commitment with me today.

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Jul 2018)

Frances Black: ...I remain hopeful the Tánaiste will hear us out and come on board as the Bill progresses. I am pursuing this initiative because I want Ireland to take a stronger lead on issues of human rights and social justice and do not believe such a stance would hinder our international standing but, rather, that it would enhance it. I saw the impact of settlement expansion when I visited the...