Results 1,701-1,720 of 1,997 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Issues Facing Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners: Discussion (19 Apr 2018)

Frances Black: I thank the two witnesses for the great work they are doing. Francie Molloy asked all the questions I intended to ask, but I will highlight a couple of matters. We took a trip to Bridge of Hope in Belfast where we met two ex-prisoners, one from the loyalist side and one from the republican side. It was very powerful because both of them spoke about struggling with the same issues. One of...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2018)

Frances Black: I want to share my experience of the emergency department. Last Tuesday night my sister, Mary, was very sick and was taken very ill. She was given a letter by her doctor stating she had to go to the emergency department immediately. She had a condition called Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which is like shingles in the ear and with which there is a very strong possibility of losing one's hearing or...

Seanad: Northern Ireland and 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement: Statements (18 Apr 2018)

Frances Black: I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, to the House. I am honoured to be able to mark the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, a momentous achievement and one of the most significant political milestones of my lifetime. I still remember the incredible feeling of optimism and hope that prevailed on 10 April 1998. The Good Friday...

Seanad: Northern Ireland and 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement: Statements (18 Apr 2018)

Frances Black: This includes assisting victims and survivors, conflict resolution workshops, trauma counselling, dealing with post-conflict substance abuse and addressing barriers, physical and non-physical, to fully acknowledge and deal with past trauma. This is the slow, daily, almost unremarkable work that is important for realising the hopes and aspirations contained in the Good Friday Agreement. As...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2018)

Frances Black: I want to convey my sadness at the passing of Big Tom. He was an absolute legend - a gorgeous man who was so talented and gave so many people an awful lot of joy with his music. He will be sadly missed. I also commend Senator Bacik on this morning's event as part of Vótáil 100. It was so inspiring to see so many fantastic young people speak from the heart and speak so...

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (29 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I will try to be as quick as possible because I am aware we have limited time. I thank every councillor who called, emailed and texted me over the past weeks after I sought input on this issue. It is hugely important to hear directly from those affected. I wish I could put every email and testimony into this speech today. I will try to...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht 2018: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: I will speak briefly on this section and support the passage of the Bill through both Houses. I did not have a chance to contribute yesterday because I was in London for meetings, as were Senator Richmond and others from the Oireachtas Brexit committee. We returned to Leinster House this morning. I am delighted to be able to voice my support for this Bill and to cast a vote to see it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues Affecting Victims and Relatives in Northern Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: I will keep it very short. I thank Professor Morrow very much for his presentation. I was not going to ask a question, but he touched on an area that I am specifically interested in, that of trans-generational or intergenerational trauma. Everybody is impacted in some way, whether they have lost somebody or somebody in their family has been injured, whether it is mental or emotional....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State and I also welcome the young people in the Gallery. I want to speak briefly on the section. I wish to express my disappointment that an important measure may end up being long-fingered. Senators Warfield, Ruane and Mac Lochlainn have done great work in getting the Bill to this stage and they outlined very clearly why the measure is needed. I want to offer...

Seanad: Foreign Affairs: Statements (Resumed) (7 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: I welcome the Tánaiste to the Chamber. I am pleased to see him back in Seanad Éireann. Given the limited time available, I will focus on three specific points. First, as he is aware, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement recently spent two days in Belfast meeting a number of community groups. Such outreach activity is a vital part of...

Seanad: International Protection (Family Unification) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: I second the amendment.

Seanad: International Protection (Family Unification) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: I do not wish to waste time. I will speak to the next amendment.

Seanad: International Protection (Family Unification) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: I will be as brief as I can be. I am delighted the International Protection (Family Reunification) Bill 2017 has passed. On behalf of the Civil Engagement group I especially commend our colleague, Senator Colette Kelleher, and her office for their incredible leadership on this issue. Senator Kelleher has done phenomenal work. I would particularly like to note the contribution of Mr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: I will do my best. I thank the witnesses for the phenomenal and amazing work they have done. They are a breath of fresh air in terms of their ethics, values and integrity knowing no bounds. It is great to know that there are people doing such great work, in particular in the environment in which the witnesses work. I have many questions but I will heed the advice of the Chair to keep my...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: This issue may have been addressed by the witnesses but I wish to be clear on it. Is there is a possibility that some people are in danger because of such misclassification?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: Victims and their families are always first and foremost in my mind. Two deaths were not be considered in the review for reasons that cannot be publicly disclosed due to the legislative framework. Briefly, to what legislative framework does that refer?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: I cannot imagine what it was like for the witnesses, in particular in terms of what they went through in January to September 2016 and especially around May of that year. Did they feel very isolated at that time? Was it just the two witnesses involved or was there a team of people? What supports did they have within their organisation, if any?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Homicide Statistics: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: It is important that the committee wishes to support the witnesses as best it can. I thank them for their appearance today.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2018)

Frances Black: Like many others I am glad to be back in Leinster House after the snow last week. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Taoiseach and his team on how Storm Emma was handled last week. It is hard to get every single detail right in these emergency situations but, credit where credit is due, it was handled very well. As many have said, enormous credit must also go to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2018)

Frances Black: I, too, would like to acknowledge the role played by my colleague, Senator Ó Clochartaigh. While he was speaking, I thought back to the first day I arrived in Leinster House for the Seanad elections. I will never forget his warmth and kindness to me. I was very anxious that day, if I remember rightly, and thought I would be out of here in an hour but I was really surprised. His...