Results 1,441-1,460 of 1,997 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The EU and Irish Unity - Planning and Preparing for Constitutional Change in Ireland: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for a very clear and comprehensive contribution. Both statements were fantastic. What I am hearing today is that it is absolutely vital that we plan and prepare for constitutional change. It is so important that we advocate and promote debate and discussion, including the possibility or viability of new constitutional arrangements on the island of Ireland. That is...

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State. I agree with Senator Gavan that she has a tough job ahead of her. She is a compassionate person and I wish her well in her role. As I am sure the Minister of State is aware, mental health activism is a passion of mine in my work as a therapist and a politician. I set up the RISE Foundation to work with and support family members of a loved one who has an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Business of Joint Committee (9 Feb 2021)

Frances Black: I might not be able to make it, but I am not sure yet. I have another committee meeting and I do not know what time it will be over.

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: IBEC and Food Drink Ireland (9 Feb 2021)

Frances Black: I will be brief. I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I have a couple of questions relating to Border communities. From the witnesses' perspective on Border communities and the 30,000 frontier workers who cross the Border weekly, what impact has Brexit had on IBEC's trade associations in Border communities and the North? What unique challenges face micro, small and medium...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2021)

Frances Black: I believe I must raise an issue of great importance to people of all communities in the North who were bereaved or injured during the conflict.The relatives of persons killed by all armed actors in the conflict - republican, loyalist and the British state - need a human rights-compliant remedy in the form of the legacy mechanisms that were agreed in Stormont House and signed by both...

Seanad: Free Provision of Period Products Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Feb 2021)

Frances Black: I commend Senator Clifford-Lee on tabling this Bill which tackles the everyday injustices felt by people during their menstruation cycles. It is essential that in 2021 we see legislation to end the prominent problem of period poverty in support of women's rights. Periods are not a luxury. They are an everyday life reality and there should be absolutely no barriers to accessing the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Covid-19 in Nursing Homes (2 Feb 2021)

Frances Black: I welcome all of our witnesses and wish to acknowledge the fantastic work of the healthcare workers and their families. I also wish to send my condolences to all of those families who have lost loved ones. It has been a very difficult year for so many people. A lot of the questions I wished to ask have already been answered but I have one or two questions on the increase in the number of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2021)

Frances Black: I wish everyone a happy St. Brigid's Day on this fine spring day. Although we have had two debates on mother and baby homes, I feel I have to raise the issue again. We learned over the weekend that the audio recordings of the testimonies of survivors of the institutions had been destroyed. Many survivors have expressed anger at this latest development, saying they were not informed when...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2021)

Frances Black: Will the Minister come in to talk about Bessborough House?

Seanad: Response to Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (1 Feb 2021)

Frances Black: Like previous speakers, I congratulate the Minister on becoming a grandmother. I can guarantee it is the best feeling in the world. I have two grandchildren and I know the Minister has many happy days and joy ahead. I also commend her on the phenomenal work she and her Department have done in the past year. Who would have thought this time last year what was ahead of us? Nobody knew it....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Update (29 Jan 2021)

Frances Black: I warmly welcome all our witnesses today and thank them for all their hard work at this extremely challenging and stressful time. I welcome that the HSE, along with other agencies and bodies, has created a strategy to promote accurate information around vaccinations nationwide. However, I am concerned and I believe we cannot ignore the fact that there is a need for a public health...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Update (29 Jan 2021)

Frances Black: Deputy Hourigan touched on this and I want to express my anxiety on it. We know of the Government's categorisation of key workers under its roll-out plan. However, SNAs are not considered key workers. UK research shows that SNAs cannot socially distance and have increased risk of contracting Covid-19. Will SNAs be included with healthcare workers for vaccination? Similarly, will personal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Impact of High Levels of Covid-19 on the Health System: Discussion (22 Jan 2021)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for all the sterling work they are doing. I cannot even imagine the pressure they must be feeling. I have more of a comment to make than a question to ask. I hope I have not misinterpreted the vaccine arrangement that NPHET thinks will allow travel. It is important to look at mandatory quarantine. I read a tweet that really impacted me this morning from a young...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Impact of High Levels of Covid-19 on the Health System: Discussion (22 Jan 2021)

Frances Black: Can the committee hear me now? Is that any better? I will turn it up.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Impact of High Levels of Covid-19 on the Health System: Discussion (22 Jan 2021)

Frances Black: Will I say it again? Can the committee hear me?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Impact of High Levels of Covid-19 on the Health System: Discussion (22 Jan 2021)

Frances Black: I do not have any headset. I will repeat what I said as quickly as possible. I was talking about the importance of mandatory quarantine. I did hear what Dr. Glynn said about NPHET's current position on travel, namely, that the regime is not sufficient. I heard him say that earlier to Deputy Shortall. I wanted to put on the record that I read a tweet this morning from a young woman who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Impact of High Levels of Covid-19 on the Health System: Discussion (22 Jan 2021)

Frances Black: I wish to ask one final question but I am unsure whether Dr. Glynn can answer it. We have seen a large amount of misinformation online in recent weeks on vaccination. How can we communicate to those people and others that the reality is that the vaccine is safe? That is all I have to ask.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2021)

Frances Black: I would like to wish everybody, including the staff here in Leinster House, a healthy and peaceful new year. I will not get an opportunity to speak in the debate this afternoon because of Covid-19 guidelines but I want to address the inhumane treatment of the people who were the residents of the mother and baby institutions. Their treatment has been compounded by the leaking of the report...

Seanad: Deportation Moratorium (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (9 Dec 2020)

Frances Black: I will be sharing my time with Senator Flynn, if the House agrees.

Seanad: Deportation Moratorium (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (9 Dec 2020)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister to the House and I also congratulate her on her wonderful news. I am very proud today to co-sign this legislation with my colleagues from the Civil Engagement Group. This Bill provides proportionate protection to the 469 people who have received deportation letters in the midst of this Covid-19 crisis. This legislation accurately recognises the threat of Covid-19 to...