Results 1,561-1,580 of 1,997 for speaker:Frances Black

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

Frances Black: An election.

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

Frances Black: Of course.

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: I am interested in the witnesses' views on private operators. In 2018, the State paid €72 million to private firms operating direction provision centres. Many of these operators are offshore companies, which means there is secrecy and a lack of information as to how much profit they are making. It is incredible that private companies are allowed to profit off extremely vulnerable...

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

Frances Black: I referred to the 60-day period.

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

Frances Black: I thank Mr. Killoran.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Second Stage (14 May 2019)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister and his officials to the House. This is one of the most important pieces of legislation, and I am glad to see it here today. I know I have been very strongly critical of the Government's response to the housing crisis and rising homelessness, but I acknowledge that this Bill is a necessary, positive step in the right direction. It moves the balance slightly away from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Towards a New Common Chapter Project: Discussion (9 May 2019)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for appearing and for their presentations. I am sad to say I was not aware of the great work being done but it sounds brilliant. Cross-Border and cross-community work to bring communities together is very important. People everywhere have the same issues in respect of homelessness, unemployment and mental health. I know the reality of that from going up North and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Towards a New Common Chapter Project: Discussion (9 May 2019)

Frances Black: What would they like from us today? What would they like the committee to do for them? If they had the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in front of them today, what would they ask him?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Services for those Living with a Neurological Condition: Discussion (8 May 2019)

Frances Black: I will try to be as brief as I can. I thank the witnesses for the fantastic work they are doing. They are doing phenomenal work on the ground. I am very interested in the alcohol programme. I know that Dr. Helen McMonagle referred to the stigma and spoke a little about it, but I am extremely interested in this area. There seems to be a significant moral model and stigma around...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Services for those Living with a Neurological Condition: Discussion (8 May 2019)

Frances Black: ----- around this area. From Dr. McMonagle's perspective, how does she think we can go forward on the issue of foetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol related brain injuries? There was a World Health Organisation report on Neurological Disorders: Public Health Challenges. This extensive report described and discussed the increasing global public health importance of common neurological...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Services for those Living with a Neurological Condition: Discussion (8 May 2019)

Frances Black: What efforts are being taken in Irish neurology services to address the two neurological issues around alcohol-related brain injury and alcohol? Has anybody any awareness around that? Perhaps there are not any efforts being made.

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Citizenship Rights (8 May 2019)

Frances Black: I thank all of the delegates for their presentations. I am delighted they are here to discuss the issue of citizens' rights post Brexit, which, for me, is probably one of the most important. Much of the Brexit debate thus far has focused on trade. For that reason, this discussion is important. Mr. Holder mentioned in his presentation that up to 2012 the UK Home Office generally...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Apr 2019)

Frances Black: I will be brief. I second Senator Norris's proposed amendment to the Order of Business. I cannot support the proposal to guillotine the debate on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill. I feel it is less about the content of any particular Bill and more a point of principle. I am concerned about the Government using the guillotine. I have seen with my own and other legislation how...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues: Commission for Victims and Survivors (11 Apr 2019)

Frances Black: Before I bring in Ms Gildernew, would Deputy Breathnach, as Vice Chairman, like to-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues: Commission for Victims and Survivors (11 Apr 2019)

Frances Black: Thank you. lt has been a powerful presentation this morning. Thank you so much. The work that you are doing is phenomenal. With this committee I went up to the Ballymurphy inquest. I have to be honest, what I saw that day was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had. When families were there in the court they were hearing testimonies and the emotion really impacted on all of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues: Commission for Victims and Survivors (11 Apr 2019)

Frances Black: Is there anything you want to say?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues: Commission for Victims and Survivors (11 Apr 2019)

Frances Black: Have you had any meetings with anybody in the UK around this, with any Ministers over there.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues: Commission for Victims and Survivors (11 Apr 2019)

Frances Black: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Apr 2019)

Frances Black: I touched on the following issue yesterday. I note the Israeli elections today and the news that Benjamin Netanyahu looks set to be returned as Prime Minister. That is very worrying. All of us who are internationalists and who are concerned about human rights and the rule of law should consider what these elections mean in practice. We have a situation where millions of people living...