Results 1,461-1,480 of 1,997 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The Northern Ireland Economy: Discussion (8 Dec 2020)

Frances Black: I thank Professor FitzGerald and Professor Morgenroth for their attendance and for their interesting presentations. It is important for us to get the views of the economic experts when we are considering the future of this island. I have a few general questions. The first concerns the economic impact of Brexit. What economic impact will Brexit have on Northern Ireland over the next five...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The Northern Ireland Economy: Discussion (8 Dec 2020)

Frances Black: I will ask one final question if the Chairman does not mind. Do the witnesses agree that the island of Ireland would be better off in the longer term as one fully integrated economic unit within the EU? I would like to hear their thoughts on that.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Frances Black: I welcome the legislation in its attempts to ground us in some certainty in these nebulous times as we face the onset of Brexit and all that the next few months will present. In particular, I commend the attempts to protect the important spirit of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 and to mitigate, where practicable, the potential disturbance caused by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Dec 2020)

Frances Black: On Monday last, I was disappointed when the British Government rejected the calls to carry out a full and thorough inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane. This rejection just compounds the pain and trauma of the Finucane family. Geraldine Finucane said it was an insult that the investigation was refused. I cannot begin to imagine the pain experienced by the family and friends of Pat...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (2 Dec 2020)

Frances Black: I thank the Minister for coming in. I do not know how he keeps going. He is doing a great job on Brexit, and we really appreciate his taking the time to come before us because we know he is very busy. I am still a little bit confused about several points and I want to check on them. The measures set out in the omnibus Bill to protect the common travel area and North-South co-operation are...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: I wish to highlight today the Government’s White Paper on ending direct provision, which is scheduled to be published before the end of 2020. It is essential that we put pressure on the legislators to use the key recommendations of the groundbreaking report by Catherine Day. We must see an end to direct provision, an end to institutionalised living and an end to congregated...

Seanad: Inquiry into the Murder of Mr. Patrick Finucane: Motion (25 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: I would like to share time with Senator Higgins.

Seanad: Inquiry into the Murder of Mr. Patrick Finucane: Motion (25 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: The Minister is welcome to the House and it is good to see him here. I also extend a warm welcome to John Finucane. I commend Senator Ó Donnghaile's motion calling for a public inquiry into the assassination of solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989, which I am delighted to have signed. It is great to see such cross-party co-operation. As people have rightly said today, Geraldine Finucane is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Cross-Border Further and Higher Education Sectors: Discussion (19 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for their clear presentations. This is something I am not really familiar with. The role they play in cross-Border co-operation and education is phenomenal and I admire them for that. I hope this is not a naive question. Do they think Brexit will negatively impact cross-Border collaboration in third-level education? Second, what are the main obstacles to student...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: I raise an issue which I have previously brought to the attention of the House. It is a very important matter. It is essential that we discuss the plight of the Debenhams workers and their appalling treatment by the company in their redundancy dispute. The Irish branch of Debenhams, which operated 11 stores, was put into liquidation on 9 April. The stores' closures came once the UK parent...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: There is no doubt that it is now more apparent than ever that we have an urgent need to introduce hate crime legislation in Ireland. I say "Well done" to Senator O'Loughlin for introducing it. We need to protect all minority groups in Ireland.It is essential that the silence is broken on these crimes and people actively report racism and other hate attacks in order to address and stop their...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Military Service at Jadotville in 1961: Statements (11 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister to the House. Members of the Civil Engagement Group wholeheartedly support this motion to recognise the gallantry of the soldiers of A Company who fought bravely and professionally in the siege of Jadotville in 1961. It is paramount that after 59 years we finally recognise and honour the bravery, professionalism and gallantry of the 155 Irish soldiers who fought and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE Winter Plan: HSE (11 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for all of their hard work over the past few months. I can only imagine how stressful it was. I also thank all of our front-line workers. I want to highlight mental health. Yesterday new research suggested that people who have survived Covid-19 are at greater risk of psychiatric disorders than those who have had other illnesses. A large study found that 20% of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE Winter Plan: HSE (11 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: That sounds very positive. I am still a bit disappointed it was not mentioned at all in the winter plan. I do feel it is important to reflect there is a huge connection between mental health and physical health, which I am sure the HSE is well aware of. This is particularly evident given the new research that came out yesterday, which suggested 20% of those infected with coronavirus were...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: I will start today on behalf of the Dublin contingent by congratulating Mr. Joe Biden on his election to the US Presidency. I also congratulate Senator Kamala Harris on her election as US Vice President. Mr. Biden is a great friend of Ireland, as we all know, and he has stated categorically that the Good Friday Agreement cannot become a casualty of Brexit. That is a fantastic stance. The...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: I express again the grave concerns of hundreds of musicians who have contacted me since the budget, many of whom are struggling to meet their financial commitments. I have raised the crisis in the music industry several times and have offered my ongoing support to the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland, MEAI. It is an amazing organisation which works voluntarily to help...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Covid-19 and Review of Budget 2021: Minister for Health (4 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: I thank the Minister for appearing before the committee. I imagine it is a busy and difficult time, dealing with this awful pandemic. I am also delighted to see the Ministers of State, Deputies Mary Butler and Frankie Feighan. The issue I am going to bring up today will involve all three Departments, and that is the issue of mental health. While I know it is not the Minister's specific...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Covid-19 and Review of Budget 2021: Minister for Health (4 Nov 2020)

Frances Black: Thank you. To give one example, we had a client who came to us recently who was suicidal. She was moved from Billy to Jack and from Jack to Billy, and she just could not find any services. She was suicidal, she was on the verge, really and truly, and it was only that one of our counsellors worked with her through this that, as she says herself, it prevented her from actually doing the act....

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Frances Black: I speak to amendment No. 7. Our duty is to ensure that survivors of these institutions are satisfied with their treatment in this legislation. I do not want to see them retraumatised by being denied access to their statements, and I am sure neither does the Minister. He is a good man. I will read a letter I received today from an independent councillor, Francis Timmons, who was in a mother...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Oct 2020)

Frances Black: I support Senator Boyhan's amendment to the Order of Business. Yesterday at the Joint Committee on Health, we heard from representatives from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association and the Irish Medical Organisation and it was shocking to hear what they had to say. We heard about the disgraceful treatment of student nurses during this...