Results 1,581-1,600 of 1,997 for speaker:Frances Black

Seanad: Property Services (Advertisement of Unfit Lettings) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (10 Apr 2019)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State. I am in favour of this Bill and I commend Senator Warfield, his colleagues and his staff on the hard work they have done preparing it. I hope this legislation can progress quickly. All legislation goes through detailed scrutiny and reading at the relevant committees and that can only be helpful in progressing Bills. The proposal before us, however, is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations: Minister for Justice and Equality (10 Apr 2019)

Frances Black: I thank the Minister for coming before the committee today. I wish to highlight the fact that we spent much of the past year discussing data protection and privacy. Could the Minister put on record that he believes the proposal is fully consistent with the general data protection regulation?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Frances Black: I echo the comments of Senators McDowell and Bacik on the Israeli election today. There is no doubt that they both are fully correct and it is vital that we enact the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018. We will all watch the results of the Israeli election this evening. No matter what happens or who wins, it is vital that the international community stands up and...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Mar 2019)

Frances Black: The Minister is very welcome to the Chamber today. The manner is which this Bill has been brought before us today will impact on my position on the amendments that are up for discussion. I am very glad that we are only taking Committee Stage of this Bill today. The proposal to remove it from the schedule entirely would have been even more appropriate. When this Bill came before the Seanad...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, to the Chamber. I do not believe that any of us can say we welcome the legislation to the House, despite its obvious importance. We are in a remarkable and unusual situation where there is a high degree of support in the Dáil and the Seanad for a Bill that none of us ever wants to see enacted. We are dealing with emergency legislation...

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State. This is an issue that is very close to my heart and something I have been very passionate about for a long time. Recently, I have worked in particular with women's groups from the Traveller community in my other job with the RISE Foundation, which is the organisation I set up. It was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had in group work. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Mar 2019)

Frances Black: I agree with Deputy Clare Daly that this is depressing. I said last week that it feels as though we are living in the Dark Ages. We have heard the presentations but it could be 50 years ago. It is hard to believe this is going on in this day and age. I cannot imagine what that is like for the families and children who have to go through that trauma. We could spend the morning talking...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Mar 2019)

Frances Black: I wanted to question Dr. O'Shea on that. How is that prevented? One must be so careful on all of that. If women, or men, are coming to Dr. O'Shea about domestic violence around which there is so much shame, is there something in place to address that around the great work that she is doing?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: I raise an issue about which I have become increasingly concerned. In recent weeks a great many reports of State authorities needlessly cutting down trees have come in from right across the country. I am amazed at the number of councillors and members of the public who are speaking out and contacting us. It seems to be happening all at the one time, which is a little bit strange. My...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for coming in today and for the great work they are all doing. My head is spinning a little, given what has been said. The presentations indicate the situation is a minefield. If in Ireland we cannot make our vulnerable children a number one priority, then I do not know what kind of country we are. There is no doubt it should be a number one priority. The image of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: There are a couple of other questions on which I wanted to touch. Regarding legal aid, Mr. Walsh mentioned that many legal aid lawyers are completely overburdened and overworked. What would he recommend? I do not understand how it all works. What attracts somebody to legal aid work? How can their lives be made easier? Do they need more resources? What is the major problem?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: Mr. Walsh said that the family law courts were the poor relation. Is that how he sees it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: I have one final question on the mention of children going into the courts and feeling unheard. Going into court and not being heard is probably one of the worst traumas that a child can experience. Perhaps this was said, I hope the witnesses will forgive me if I missed it, but would they recommend that a therapist or somebody else be there to support children, particularly in cases in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: I may have to leave a little early to vote in the Seanad and apologise to the witnesses in advance.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: I wish to highlight how shocked and angered I was during the weekend having read the comments of the chief executive of Dublin City Council, Mr. Owen Keegan, on homelessness. He stated:The best way to solve homelessness in Dublin would be to provide no beds. When you go out of your way to increase accommodation and improve the standards of that accommodation it's a much more attractive...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Challenges Facing Cross-Border Authorities: Irish Central Border Area Network (14 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for their presentation. It is refreshing to hear that local authorities are working together across the Border. It is wonderful to hear. They have touched on many issues. Local services were mentioned. The areas in which I am specifically interested with regard to the impending doom and gloom of Brexit are mental health and addiction services. From the perspective...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: East Border Region (14 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. As I listened to them I realised the nightmare they are going through. I live in Dublin. I sometimes feel that even in Leinster House we are in a cocoon. Mr. O'Hanlon nailed it when he said that what is happening to the people in the Border regions is really sad. It is scary. Until I heard the presentations today from both groups I was not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: East Border Region (14 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: My father comes from Rathlin Island, near there.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Second Stage (13 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: I second the Bill. I welcome the Minister to the Chamber for this important debate. This is excellent, progressive and badly needed legislation, which could change lives for the better. I strongly commend Senator Ruane, along with Seb and her team, on bringing it before the House. I was delighted to co-sign the Bill and proud to second it today. I urge everyone in the House to give it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Protection (Family Reunification) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Frances Black: All I can say is "Wow". Those presentations were amazing; they were absolutely fantastic. I know how hard Senator Kelleher and Mr. Meany have worked on this. They put their heart and soul into this and I thank them for that. They have made the case for this Bill very clearly. Even though we know what is going on, when one hears the reality of the situation from listening to the...