Results 1,761-1,780 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

Seanad: Finance Bill 2017: Second Stage (28 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: Let me draw the Minister of State's attention to an Oxfam report, Blacklist or Whitewash, which was published yesterday and listed Ireland as one of four EU states that qualified as a tax haven according to the EU's own criteria. Oxfam highlights that corporate taxes lost worldwide amount to €84 billion per year. A third of this amount would be enough to pay for universal, global...

Seanad: Domestic Violence Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I would like to withdraw amendment No. 5 also.

Seanad: Domestic Violence Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 5:In page 8, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Statutory Guidelines 5. (1) For the purposes of sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9# and 9 in deciding there are reasonable grounds for believing that the safety or welfare of an applicant or a dependent person so requires, the court shall have regard to—(a) any history of violence by the respondent against...

Seanad: Domestic Violence Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I thank the Minister of State for his co-operation on this Bill and the great work that he has done. The Bill will make a significant difference to women in Ireland when it comes to situations of domestic violence. I thank the National Women's Council of Ireland, SAFE Ireland and other NGOs that worked with me and my colleagues in the Civil Engagement group and with Senators across the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Northern Ireland Issues and Implications of Brexit for Good Friday Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (23 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I thank the Minister for his attendance and I hope this is the beginning of a relationship with the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and that we can keep connected. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan raised the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. I have met the families a few times, as I have the hooded men. I hear what the Minister says to the effect that there is an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Northern Ireland Issues and Implications of Brexit for Good Friday Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (23 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: Will the Minister be able to meet the families of the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as the hooded men?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Northern Ireland Issues and Implications of Brexit for Good Friday Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (23 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: And the hooded men?

Seanad: Minimum Custodial Periods upon Conviction for Murder Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I thank Senator O’Donnell for bringing this legislation before the house, and her passion in making this case on behalf of people who have lost a friend or loved one. I welcome and commend the families and their representatives for coming forward and making the case that our judicial system, as it stands, is not adequately dealing with sentencing for murder. At the moment, a murder...

Seanad: Tracker Mortgages: Statements (22 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to discuss this issue. However, I am deeply disappointed that we are having this type of debate yet again. It is not the first time the Oireachtas has had to examine disgraceful and reckless behaviour on the part of banks in this country. It is difficult to believe that we are in the same position again and, in this instance, the scale and...

Seanad: Justice Matters: Statements (22 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: Hear, hear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I apologise for being late. I really wanted to be here for the witnesses' presentations but there was an accident on the roads which delayed everything. I thank all the witnesses for being here today. This is a very emotive issue and there is huge feeling around the question of dignity for those with illnesses they know they will not survive. It is vitally important that these people have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: It was the Netherlands.

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (16 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State and wish to speak in support of the huge contribution councillors make to their local communities, a contribution which is often forgotten. I was lucky enough to meet councillors across the country when I ran in the Seanad election last year. I was blown away by the work they do and I feel terrible that I had not been aware it until then. I was in Sligo last...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I congratulate the people of Australia on the fantastic result in the marriage referendum.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: For the record, I am absolutely delighted that the Scottish Supreme Court ruled in favour of minimum unit pricing today. I hope that Ireland will follow suit. What I really want to talk about today is that, on my way into Leinster House this morning, I heard that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has launched its annual Christmas appeal and expects to help 50,000 people this year.The...

Seanad: JobPath: Motion (15 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I commend the Sinn Féin Senators for raising this important issue in the House. I completely share their concerns about JobPath and similar schemes. Recently I heard Deputy Catherine Murphy refer in Dáil Éireann to a concerning case of a man who had been treated terribly by Seetec, the private company contracted to run the...

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (14 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber and welcome the opportunity to debate Ireland's relationship with the diaspora. The Minister of State said this is definitely something he has been working on and that circumstances have improved. There is no doubt about that. It is great to see a shift in State policy towards greater engagement with our citizens abroad. This effort has been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues Affecting Victims and Relatives in Northern Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: First, I offer my condolences to all here who have lost loved ones. Regardless of how many years have passed I know it is still painful and the grief continues. I also apologise for not being here for the earlier part of the meeting but I had another commitment. I have heard the witnesses' stories and I am deeply saddened by them. I have some experience in this area. My aunt lived in...

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister and his officials to the Chamber.

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

Frances Black: I am 100% aware.