Results 1,561-1,580 of 2,007 for speaker:Frances Black

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...

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...