Results 1,481-1,500 of 2,007 for speaker:Frances Black

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...

Seanad: Electoral (Civil Society Freedom)(Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (22 Oct 2020)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him well in his new role. I commend my colleagues, Senators Ruane and Higgins, on this Private Members' Bill which is absolutely fantastic. I would consider myself an activist. I am the founder of a charitable organisation and understand how difficult it is to raise funds, particularly in the absence of Government funding. Civil...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Workforce Planning in Acute and Community Care Settings: Discussion (21 Oct 2020)

Frances Black: I thank all the witnesses for their submissions. While I was aware of the pressure on our health workers, I have learned a great deal today about just how bad that pressure is and about how indebted we are to our front-line workers. Thanks are important but they are just not enough. If gratitude is to be given meaning it should lead to an overdue reassessment of who we value most in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare (14 Oct 2020)

Frances Black: I have a specific question relating to alcohol harm in this country. There is no doubt that Ireland has one of the highest levels of alcohol-related harm in Europe. If one looks at the evidence, three people a day die from an alcohol-related issue. Alcohol problems in Ireland are rated third, following heart disease and cancer. Alcohol is a factor in half of all suicides each day and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Sláintecare (14 Oct 2020)

Frances Black: That would be great.

Seanad: Ireland-China Relations: Motion (8 Oct 2020)

Frances Black: I apologise as I missed the Minister of State's speech. I thank Senator Mullen for introducing this wonderful motion. What is happening to the Uyghur people of China is horrendous and Ireland has an obligation to highlight human rights abuses wherever they occur. As a member of the UN Security Council, we have a forum to raise the issue of the denial of human rights of the Uyghur...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Business of Joint Committee (29 Sep 2020)

Frances Black: Senator Frances Black, Independent.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Frances Black: I wish to put on the record my agreement with Senator Craughwell regarding the men of Jadotville. I watched the Netflix film of the battle the other night. If anybody in this House does not understand what happened at Jadotville, I highly recommend that he or she watch that film. They are absolutely inspiring men and they should be honoured. While the economic consequences of the Covid-19...

Seanad: Withdrawal Agreement Between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Motion (23 Sep 2020)

Frances Black: I welcome the motion and I am delighted to be back in the Chamber. We should not be partisan on this issue, and I have said consistently that we need to give credit where it is due. We have strong debates and disagreements in this House, but it is important that we always recognise the huge amount of time and energy that has been put into Brexit, by the Minister, the entire Department of...

Seanad: Withdrawal Agreement Between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Motion (23 Sep 2020)

Frances Black: Those who continue to label this process divisive and dangerous are simply encouraging the spread of fear and anxiety. It must be remembered that the majority of the people on this island voted in favour of the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to this island. This was an agreement based on international law. The union with Britain since 1998 is maintained as a result of a...

Seanad: Withdrawal Agreement Between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Motion (23 Sep 2020)

Frances Black: This Government has the ability to stand up for international law by passing the Occupied Territories Bill, which imposes sanctions for breaches of these laws. It is time for consistency and all breaches of law must be condemned. I am confident that the Irish Government and its EU partners will remain strong in their promise that there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland. The...