Results 21-40 of 1,765 for speaker:Frances Black

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2024: Discussion (20 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: I totally agree. If we can focus more on prevention and intervention, it will ease pressure on the emergency departments and even on general practitioners and other doctors. I totally agree with that. I thank the witnesses. I am happy with those answers.

Seanad: Private Rental Sector: Motion (6 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I too thank the Sinn Féin Senators for bringing forward this motion, and I am very happy to support it. There is no doubt about it: we all know what a disaster the housing market is and the catastrophic impact it is having on so many people's lives. I think every single person in this Chamber would personally know many young families who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Women and Constitutional Change: Discussion (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I thank the committee members for allowing me to come in first and I also thank Professor Ashe for coming to the meeting. I totally agree with everything she is saying with regard, in particular, to planning and preparing. If there is going to be a referendum, that planning is vital and must be a priority at this point. In November, the committee heard from Professor Jennifer Todd and Dr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Women and Constitutional Change: Discussion (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: Great. I am conscious of the time. In Professor Ashe's opinion, how significant is a woman's educational experience to her participation in these discussions? Some people from the North who come to the South to study often find it more difficult to have those constitutional and political discussions here than they would at home. When they are on their own turf, it is easier. Has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Women and Constitutional Change: Discussion (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: How does Professor Ashe think she can prepare them for that? From her perspective, what would be the procedure, or how would she manage that? That is really important. Obviously, they will be anxious, so how would she manage to prepare them for that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Women and Constitutional Change: Discussion (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I thank Professor Ashe. This is fascinating. I apologise for having to leave. I have another engagement.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I thank the representatives for coming in, and for sharing their experience and expertise with the committee. This undertaking by the Seanad could represent a rethink of the very centralised, top-down approach that has traditionally characterised the approach to local democracy. I am glad we hearing the perspectives of people who have ministerial experience and have really made an impact on...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I sincerely thank all of the councillors for coming in today to share their expertise and experience with us. I also thank them for the amazing work that they do. They do phenomenal work. There is no doubt that being a councillor is a vocation because it is certainly not for the money. Councillors are so passionate about their work. When I travel around the country and meet councillors I...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I always feel slightly intimidated speaking after Senator Boyhan because he is such a brilliant speaker. . I thank everyone for coming in and sharing their experiences and expertise with the committee . I agree with everything Senator Boyhan said regarding taking on board all of the suggestions. I hope with all my heart that something really positive comes out of this meeting today. I am...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Motion (21 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I move: That Seanad Éireann: deeply regrets and condemns: - the killing of over 28,000 Palestinians in Gaza in recent weeks; - that over 11,500 of those killed have been children, over 17,000 children have been left unaccompanied because Israeli attacks have killed their entire families; - that the number of children killed in Gaza in recent weeks has surpassed the annual number...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Motion (21 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. It is great to see him. I want in particular to thank all of the my Civil Engagement Group colleagues for their support with this motion. I highlight the work of Senator Lynn Ruane in particular. She is not here this evening. She is at the OSCE in Vienna trying to get politicians from across Europe to support an immediate ceasefire. She...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Motion (21 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: Let me start by thanking the Minister of State and the Government for not opposing this motion. It is not often that we are unified on something here in the Chamber and I am just blown away by the fact that it is on Palestine that we are unified. I feel quite emotional, so I ask Members to bear with me. I have been very passionate about Palestine for many years, as my colleagues in the...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (Resumed) (20 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I thank the Cathaoirleach for organising this debate. However, I am disappointed that the Tánaiste is not here as I intended to address my contribution to him. We have not had statements on the situation in Palestine for some time and it has become so much graver in the intervening months. Coincidentally, the Civil Engagement Group...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I move amendment No. 3: In page 10, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: "(4) Notwithstanding subsection (3), the Minister shall commence the sections of this Bill necessary to the holding of an election for Mayor and for the functioning of that office within 3 months of the passing of this Act.". My Civil Engagement Group colleague Senator Alice-Mary Higgins has taken the...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: Yes. I am speaking to these amendments. The people of Limerick have voted for a directly elected mayor, and this is a choice that should be offered to the people of every city in this country. It is clearly better to have an elected official entrusted with the powers available to local authorities than unaccountable officials. In Dublin, we have seen how council CEOs can be totally out of...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I am speaking to the amendments.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I hear what the Acting Chairman is saying. Like all politicians, local representatives need proper protections and supports so they can cope in a political environment that is increasingly fraught and dangerous. Those of us in this House who are members of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee are having a series of meetings on the future of local democracy. We have heard from many...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I know the Acting Chairman is aware of that. They get involved because they care about their communities and have ideas to make change. Local councillors work so hard under challenging and frustrating conditions to serve the people of their areas. If given the support they need and properly empowered, councillors and directly elected mayors could represent the future of Irish local...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Health Needs of Persons with Dementia and the Services Available: Discussion (7 Feb 2024)

Frances Black: I want to most sincerely thank the witnesses for the phenomenal work they are all doing, for coming into the committee today and sharing their experience and expertise with us. This is an absolutely vital issue, and there is no about it, we are living in an ageing society, where issues of dignity, autonomy and care are going to become more relevant as a greater proportion of society will...

Seanad: Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House today. I acknowledge the courage, dignity and resolve of the campaigners and whistleblowers who brought this issue to light, the Women of Honour who are here today, the Defence Forces Justice Alliance and the Canary Movement. I am glad that Senator Clonan is in the Chamber to speak about this proposal. It is powerful to have someone who has...