Results 1,921-1,940 of 1,997 for speaker:Frances Black

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...

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

Frances Black: I strongly condemn Bank of Ireland for its undemocratic decision to close the accounts of the IPSC. I believe that the bank should reverse its decision. As my colleague, Senator Mac Lochlainn has said, the action is an outrageous attack on democracy.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Nicola Sturgeon (29 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: I welcome the First Minister. She is an inspiration and I wish her all the best in fighting for independence for her country. I commend her on her fantastic work on minimum unit pricing. We are trying to introduce the same legislation. What have been the largest challenges for Scotland in that regard? How can Ireland support the First Minister, her country and the North and what action...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: I am very disappointed that my colleague, Senator Grace O'Sullivan, will not receive support for her Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: I just want to highlight it and express my disappointment. It is terrible that she will not receive support for it, considering that she is a member of the Green Party.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: I want to highlight a number of issues. Last week, I spoke about the lobbying that took place on the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. I am still frustrated about that and want to highlight it. As I find it very difficult to bring in family members to talk to all Deputies and Senators about the impact of alcohol misuse on their families, I have decided to hold a briefing today to which I hope...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: I will take it up with the Superintendent.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: It is unfair. I want to highlight that unfairness and I would like it noted.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: Is the Leader aware of the amount of lobbying by the alcohol industry on the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill? I am shocked by the amount of lobbying. I have seen it with my own eyes. I saw seven people from the industry standing around one Deputy in the coffee dock some days ago and I was absolutely horrified. I bumped into one Deputy who told me he had been lobbied five times in one day....

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: So much has been said today. As Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell said, we have received many letters from different organisations. One letter from Neil Foulkes in County Leitrim sums up everything we are discussing today. It states:I am writing to you in connection with the proposed changes to the hedge cutting dates contained Section 40 of the Wildlife Act referred to in 8(2) of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Migrant Crisis: Discussion (16 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: I thank them for their presentation and the great work that they do. It is not enough to accept 200 children. It is a disgrace that we are accepting only 200, yet I am thankful that we have agreed to accept them, that we are doing something, but it is not enough. It is also not enough to accept 4,000 migrants. I have listened to Ms Finn speak about refugees from Syria and Turkey, but I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Migrant Crisis: Discussion (16 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: I have a number of questions. Some 200 children and 4,000 refugees are being allowed to come to Ireland. What is the source of the blockage? Why will Ireland only allow such a small number of refugees to enter the country? If one was to be really honest, there is resistance, on which I would like Ms Finn to expand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Migrant Crisis: Discussion (16 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: How can the committee support the work of the NASC. What is the number one thing we could do to help?

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: I want to talk a little about recognising Traveller ethnicity. Last Wednesday morning at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, we heard a presentation on recognising Traveller ethnicity from a group of people who work in and are part of the Traveller community. Ms Ronnie Fay, Mr. Martin Collins, Mr. Thomas McCann and Dr. Robbie McVeigh gave a powerful presentation. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Black: No. I really just want to highlight this issue. It is absolutely vital.