Results 1,801-1,820 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

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

Frances Black: I am very happy to get the opportunity to speak on these amendments, which deal with product separation in shops. We all know how controversial this aspect of the legislation has been. It has also, as the Minister indicated, given rise to a considerable amount of misinformation and confusion. People do not understand how simple this is. There is a lot of fear and scaremongering. I thank...

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

Frances Black: I am concerned that some colleagues here might think I was trying to demonise the retailers. That is not my intention by any means. I would never want to do that. My own family were shopkeepers. That is the first thing I would like to say. I understand about responsible retail and I acknowledge that many retailers sell responsibly. However, this part of the legislation is not just about...

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

Frances Black: I am sorry I must go. I really do have to leave.

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

Frances Black: I am performing tonight; I have a gig. I just wanted to get in this last piece. I ask the Minister to think about the people who are dying and children in particular.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues Affecting Victims and Relatives in Northern Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for their presentation and for the great work they do. I am a little bit aware of intergenerational trauma and its impact, particularly from a mental health and addiction point of view. I would imagine that every family has been impacted in some way by the conflict whether physically, mentally or emotionally. It is a minefield. I also pick up on the witnesses'...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues Affecting Victims and Relatives in Northern Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: Did Mr. Gormally ever get an explanation for why the First Minister blocked the funding?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues Affecting Victims and Relatives in Northern Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: I thank Mr. Gormally.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: Apologies for being late but I read Deputy Michael McGrath's statement last night. It is time for this legislation and I commend the Deputy on the work that he is doing. I wholeheartedly support the Bill. Any measure that prevents borrowers from losing their homes has to be welcomed. As we all will be aware, Fr. Peter McVerry, who is a wonderful man, said this country is returning to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: Yes. Instead of selling it to the vulture funds at a very low price, would it not be better to sell it back to the family or try to work out some kind of a deal in that way?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: I thank Mr. Hall and Mr. Curtis for coming before the committee today and for the fantastic work they do. I have referred a few families who were in crisis to Mr. Hall. I am sure we have all met such families. When they come in they are terrified and frightened. They do not know what to do. They do not know who to ask for help. They are terrified of the banks. It is very intimidating...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: I have just one follow-up point to make. Could Mr. Hall give us an example to support his comment about the banks running rings around the Department? Staff in the Department are probably up to their eyes in the crisis and they are listening to people coming in and talking to them all the time.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: I send my condolences to the family of Eamonn Campbell, who was a fantastic man and musician. He was a charismatic and wonderful personality.He will be sadly missed in the music industry in Ireland and also by me. I wish to raise a point about the schedule of the House. Yesterday we received the agenda for next week and, for the second time in a month, Thursday has been left blank. Not a...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: We are here to do a job - to introduce and scrutinise legislation - so why has another day been left blank? Many Senators have Private Members' Bills waiting to go, just waiting on a slot. We have very limited chances to introduce legislation and, again, when time is tight, it is not good enough that days on schedules are left blank. I know I am harping on about this, and forgive me for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future of Mental Health Care: Update on the Next Stages of the Review of A Vision for Change: Department of Health (19 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for their presentation. I am sure they will pick up on members' frustration about the lack of implementation. Some of us work at the coalface of mental health and deal with families who have lost loved ones to suicide, which is very difficult. I strongly welcome the terms of reference, particularly in respect of primary prevention, early intervention and positive...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: I welcome the chance to speak on this Bill. I thank Senators Mac Lochlainn, Conway-Walsh and Devine for bringing such an important issue to the House. I send my thoughts and condolences to John Lynch and Stephanie McGill Lynch, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes on the Bill based on their own experience of their son, Jake's tragic death in 2013. My heart goes out to them and I...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: I too wish to pay my condolences to the families who lost loved ones yesterday's storm. I wish to express shock and outrage that the brave journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who led the Panama papers investigation into corruption in Malta, was tragically killed by a car bomb near her home on Monday. I extend my deepest sympathy to her family and friends. This is not just a tragic loss of...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (17 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: I am very happy to see the Bill on Final Stage and I support its passing 100%. I commend Senator Mark Daly strongly on his tireless work and I also commend Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee on the legislation. Senator Daly has shown a particular passion in bringing it forward and has worked tirelessly with Ms Grace Coyle, who I know very well and who is a powerhouse. I have huge respect for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues Affecting Victims and Relatives in Northern Ireland: Discussion (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses very much for coming in today and for the fantastic presentations that were provided. What is going on is a huge injustice. I can only imagine what it is like for families that are really traumatised. What they have gone through is awful. Ms Urwin is completely right in saying that there has to be truth before reconciliation and, hopefully, then trust. The trust is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues Affecting Victims and Relatives in Northern Ireland: Discussion (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Black: If there is one specific thing the witness would like us to work on as a committee, what would that be, or what would be her priority?