Results 1,921-1,940 of 2,011 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Prisons, Penal Policy and Sentencing: Irish Penal Reform Trust (8 Feb 2017)

Frances Black: Is that of those who went into recovery?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Prisons, Penal Policy and Sentencing: Irish Penal Reform Trust (8 Feb 2017)

Frances Black: Why do the witnesses think there is a lack of political will in particular in implementing the report?

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Frances Black: With the permission of the Chair, I would like to share my time with Senator Alice Mary Higgins.

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Frances Black: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, for being present in the Chamber. I was very disappointed by the comments made by Senator Jerry Buttimer on the contribution made by my colleague, Senator Lynn Ruane. He was unfair. Senator Lynn Ruane had every right to talk about what more needed to be done. I know that it is a day of celebration, but, unfortunately, Senator Jerry...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Frances Black: I understand that, but I would like it to be noted.

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Frances Black: She was not present when he made his comments, but I would like it to be noted that I was very disappointed by his behaviour.

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Frances Black: Then he should have been more careful in what he said.

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Frances Black: He did and his comments were unfair. It was not right; it was an injustice, particularly when Senator Lynn Ruane was not in the Chamber to hear them. She had every right to say what she felt. This is a democratic society. I welcome the Bill presented by Senator Gerald Nash. I thank him and the Labour Party for introducing it. It is really appreciated. The Bill asks the State to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (1 Feb 2017)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for coming in. We know it is vital that companies can continue trading and providing employment across member states. I wanted to know if the increased priority given to restructuring will result in a higher burden being placed on creditors and employees in terms of wage cuts following restructuring. Could the lack of court involvement lead to abuse of the new...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Frances Black: I congratulate Mr. Martin Groves on his appointment as Clerk of the Seanad. I thank him for his support, especially when I first came into the House. He still supports me and I appreciate all of his hard work. I thank Senator Catherine Noone for highlighting the issue about which she spoke eloquently - alcohol and pregnancy and the fact that the country was among the top five in the...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements (26 Jan 2017)

Frances Black: I thank the Minister for coming here today. He has a very big challenge ahead. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Martin McGuinness, who as we all know was instrumental in the peace process. We all know that he has worked tirelessly to connect with people to whom he has been diametrically opposed politically, most notably the late Rev. Ian Paisley. We may not see his...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Black: I wish everybody a belated happy new year. I know I am a month behind but it is my first time back. I got a telephone call yesterday from the mother of a lovely young lad called Shane O'Farrell who was killed in a tragic road traffic accident in County Monaghan on 2 August 2011. Shane was 23 years of age and had completed a law degree in UCD and a master's degree in law in Trinity College....

Seanad: Health Service: Statements (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Black: I want to talk about the correlation between physical and mental health difficulties. If mental health was addressed it could reduce the pressure on hospital beds. It is imperative that mental health is recognised and afforded appropriate priority within the wider health agenda to reflect its contribution to the burden of disease in Ireland and its impact on other areas of life. The...

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2017)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank her for bringing the Bill through the House. It proposes to expand access to the preferential tax rate for income generated on intellectual property and patents with the intention of nurturing innovation and encouraging companies to locate high value jobs in Ireland. I recognise the Minister and the Department have been engaging with us on this...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2016)

Frances Black: As we all know, the housing crisis is the result of more than 30 years of Government policy, during which the State moved away from the provision of social housing. Rent certainty would be the best Christmas gift the Government could give to the thousands of people who are at risk of losing their homes because of rising rents. The homelessness situation is at an all-time high and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Frances Black: Last Saturday, I was invited to speak at an event organised by my colleague, Senator Ruane. The event was called Tallaght Talks and the emphasis was on mental health issues. There were a number of great speakers present on the day but what had the greatest impact on me was the response from the people attending the event, which was very emotional. One man shared his experience of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Cross-Border Road Infrastructure: Discussion (1 Dec 2016)

Frances Black: I welcome both speakers here today. I am familiar with the area of Newry, Warrenpoint and Rostrevor and the area of Omeath and Carlingford. A bridge is a wonderful idea and would be phenomenal for both counties from a tourism point of view. I imagine that securing funding for the project would be a huge undertaking. I hope my following suggestion will not cause trouble. While the money...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: I will try to keep my contribution short today. Speaking on "Morning Ireland" this morning, Professor John McHale, chairperson of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, in commenting on its latest report stated that any new increases in expenditure such as in public service pay would have to be offset by reductions on spending on services or increases in taxes. We have set our tax rates for the...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister to the Seanad. I support the motion. Ireland lacks a modern absentee ballot process and lags behind nearly every nation in the EU when it comes to giving its emigrant citizens the right to vote. Indeed, the Republic lags behind the vast majority of nations in the world, some 125 of which have already established an absentee ballot process for citizens. Emigrants...

Seanad: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: As chairperson of the Friends of Palestine cross-party Oireachtas group, I support the motion tabled by Senator Norris. I also support the fantastic Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign group that was set up to highlight the struggle of the Palestinian people. It is totally unacceptable that Bank of Ireland has closed the bank account of the IPSC and refused to comment on the reason for...