Results 1,541-1,560 of 1,997 for speaker:Frances Black

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jul 2019)

Frances Black: I express my sympathies to the families of Noel Whelan and Brendan Grace. I did not know Noel Whelan but I was a huge admirer of his. He was a fantastic commentator and he will be a huge loss to Ireland. He was too young. I knew Brendan Grace well and travelled on tour with him many years ago in Australia. He was a pure gentleman and will also be a huge loss to Ireland. The briefing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Spent Convictions: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Frances Black: I welcome Senator Ruane and everyone who has spoken. There is no doubt that this is a vital issue and I was delighted to co-sponsor Senator Ruane's Bill. This is about changing people's lives for the better and there is no doubt that everybody deserves a second, and possibly even a third, chance. I have worked in the field of addiction and with women in the prison service, the majority...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Spent Convictions: Discussion (10 Jul 2019)

Frances Black: Will Senator Ruane give us more detail on the length of the rehabilitative periods outlined in the Bill and some of the considerations?

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

Frances Black: I, too, welcome Senator Lawless' family. It is almost ironic that Senator Lawless worked so hard for the undocumented Irish in the US when a briefing was held today by the Migrant Rights Centre. A young woman aged 24, Rashmi, said she left school six years ago and all her friends went to college and now have jobs. She was accepted recently into two colleges, but unfortunately she cannot...

Seanad: Adoption, Information and Tracing: Statements (19 Jun 2019)

Frances Black: I thank the Minister for coming into the House today. It is welcome that the relevant legislation has been removed from the schedule for this afternoon. I thank the Minister for that. It is important that we get an update from the Minister on the Department's position and proposals. The major level of public interest in this Bill is testament to how important it is to so many people and...

Seanad: Community Participation (Disability) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (19 Jun 2019)

Frances Black: Is there time?

Seanad: Community Participation (Disability) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (19 Jun 2019)

Frances Black: I want to commend my colleague, Senator Dolan, on this fantastic legislation. Senator Dolan has worked tirelessly on this issue since he was elected in 2016. It truly is an honour to be part of this group. I also want to give credit to my colleague, Senator Grace O'Sullivan, with whom I absolutely loved working. She will be sadly missed. I have no doubt about it. Yesterday I was also at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Frances Black: I thank Ms Buckley and her officials from the Department for coming in today. I take on board all of the information Ms Buckley has given us. This review has been extremely difficult. For us, it has been devastating to hear some of the direct testimonies from people living in the system. Ms Buckley said that changes have been made but there was room for improvement. I understand the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Frances Black: Yes. Unfortunately, I must leave shortly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Frances Black: I apologise that I must leave a little early. I thank the officials for the responses.

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Protection of Employee Tips) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2019)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I commend my colleague, Senator Gavan, on bringing this legislation forward. It is a vital piece of legislation. I also welcome all the guests, who have worked hard on this legislation. I would love if the Minister could support this. I really would. I have worked in the industry. Some 35 years ago, I was a separated mother with two very small...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Protection of Employee Tips) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2019)

Frances Black: I know, but I just had to say that. I merely wanted to express the importance of this legislation. The proposed change clarifies that we are drawing on the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. As I see it, we are also building on that work. That legislation outlines crucial workers' rights protections, including maximum working hours, mandatory rest times, annual leave requirements and...

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

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for their presentations and for the deep and detailed submissions they sent in advance. The committee has covered a lot of ground in the last few weeks and will cover more in the next few weeks. I agree with the witnesses, and I have no doubt, that this is a gross violation of the rights of children and families. It is truly shocking. What we have heard over recent...

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

Frances Black: The right to work has arisen frequently and I am passionate about the issue. We heard a story a couple of weeks ago from a family man, who said: "All I want to do is work. Just let me come home to my children and tell them I went to work today. I do not even want payment." He just wants to get up in the morning, do a day's work and come home to tell his children what he did. It is for his...

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

Frances Black: Will Ms Ward speak a little more about how children are institutionalised and the long-term impact on their mental health? I again highlight the case of Sylva Tukula, which was absolutely horrifying. It was devastating to hear what happened. She died in direct provision and, as was mentioned, she was buried with no friends or loved ones present. That is heartbreaking and the fact she was...

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

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I thank Senators Mullen, Freeman and all those who put their name to this motion for tabling it. I was glad to co-sponsor it. We all know that mental health is a hugely important issue. It is important to me as a legislator and through my work with the RISE Foundation. I have been working with the RISE Foundation for many years, as I have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2019)

Frances Black: I thank our guests for their presentations. My head is spinning. I am blown away by the reality of the situation. I knew it was bad, but I was not aware of how horrendous it is. It is important that I repeat something Mr. Mfaco said at the end of his presentation. I hope it is okay for me to do so. He stated: We are human beings like all of you. All we ask is that we be treated as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2019)

Frances Black: I have one final question for Mr. Henderson on the system of oversight to prevent abuse. As can be seen here today we are dealing with vulnerable people, some of whom arrive into this country and cannot speak the language, and no financial resources are available to them. The system has recently been brought under the remit of the Ombudsman. There have been 148 complaints this year. Does...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2019)

Frances Black: I want to thank the witnesses all so much. I hope they never give up the fight to abolish direct provision centres. We will do everything and by the way we have a great Chairman to whom I want to pay credit. We will do our best to highlight the issues that the witnesses have given us information on. I appreciate their honesty. It has been an unbelievable eye-opener for me and I thought I...

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

Frances Black: I want to mark the passage of the elections last weekend and, in particular, to congratulate the Green Party on a really significant result. Of course, my fingers are crossed that my colleague, Senator Grace O'Sullivan, might take a seat in Ireland South. I am disappointed to see Lynn Boylan gone from Europe because she did a great job, particularly on climate change. I am sad to see she...