Results 41-60 of 1,767 for speaker:Frances Black

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...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (24 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: I wish to speak in support of amendments Nos. 68 to 84, inclusive, from Senator Boyhan in this grouping.I sincerely thank Senator Boyhan for bringing forward these amendments. It is vital that the participation of councillors on local policing boards is protected in the Bill. I understand the desire of the Government to broaden the scope of who is involved in these bodies, and I support...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for coming in and for the phenomenal work they are doing in this area. Work like this grows out of passion and need. The work they are doing is brilliant. It is very disappointing, particularly for the group that is before us today, that the Bill to reform the Mental Health Act is not on the priority publication list. My concern is that the lack of movement on that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: It seems very unfair. I am shocked at the cost of an assessment. I wish to touch on ADHD in particular. The report of the Mental Health Commission pointed to ADHD as the most frequent reason for children being referred to CAMHS. One often hears of children with ADHD being on waiting lists for lengthy periods as more urgent cases get seen first. What are the experiences of the members...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: Apologies; as I am attending the meeting remotely, I cannot see whether other people wish to come in. I do not mean to interrupt Ms Ní Ghiolla Mhairtín.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: Do the other witnesses wish to come in on that point?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: Many members have asked questions on discrimination against autistic children, to which reference was made in the opening statement. Did the witnesses state that they have raised these concerns with the Department of Health but have not yet got a response?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: So Ms Ní Ghiolla Mhairtín does not really know the official policy position. What are her thoughts as to why autistic children are discriminated against?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: I thank the witnesses for the phenomenal work they are doing. Their group will make a difference. Keep up the great work.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Families for Reform of CAMHS (17 Jan 2024)

Frances Black: One often hears of over-reliance on medication in the context of the type of support received from CAMHS. Which supports would Families for Reform of CAMHS like to see provided as a matter of priority? If the witnesses had a magic wand, what would be the priority for them with regard to the over-reliance on medication?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I also wish Tom Hickey well on his retirement. I thank him most sincerely for all his support down through the years I have been here. I speak on behalf of the Civil Engagement Group. He has been a great support and an absolute gentleman. He is professional to the core and I wish him well in his retirement. I also thank the Cathaoirleach for the work he has done this year and thank the...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: The Minister is very welcome to the House. I wish him and his family a very happy Christmas. This legislation has been a long time coming. I am glad that it has finally come before the Seanad. I pay tribute to the incredible work of the Together for Safety campaigners. Their dedication and persistence have helped get us through to this crucial stage. I also commend the Minister on his...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I want to share a poem from Dr. Refaat Alareer from Gaza. He was a beautiful young man. He was a teacher of English literature, a translator and a poet who was murdered by Israel last Thursday. He was an individual with dreams as vivid as anyone sitting in this Chamber. His life mattered and he deserves justice as does every family in Gaza. As a tribute, people on Twitter have translated...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cardiovascular Health, Stroke and Heart Attack: Discussion (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I thank members for letting me come in early and thank our witnesses for presenting today. I have a few questions. In his opening statement, Mr. Macey noted that 80% of CVD is preventable, even though it equates to 30% of all mortality. He also mentioned specific factors such as smoking, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol intake. From the witnesses' experience, are certain...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cardiovascular Health, Stroke and Heart Attack: Discussion (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I worked very closely with the Irish Heart Foundation on the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. We all know that three people die each day from an alcohol-related issue in Ireland. Could the delegates say a little about the relationship between alcohol and heart disease or heart problems, and how alcohol plays a role?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cardiovascular Health, Stroke and Heart Attack: Discussion (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: The opening statement highlighted the need for a heart failure registry. Could the Irish Heart Foundation delegates say little about what it would look like and how it would operate? Their briefing note mentioned the expansion of the individual health identifier. Could they say a little about this tool, how it is being used and the impact of both the registry and the identifier on the care...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cardiovascular Health, Stroke and Heart Attack: Discussion (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: I thank Ms O'Shea. Mr. O'Donnell, in his opening statement, noted the overall cost of CVD in 2021 was around €3.44 billion, with productivity losses of €855 million in a single year. To Mr. O'Donnell's knowledge, has a thorough cost–benefit analysis been undertaken? If not, what should it look like?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cardiovascular Health, Stroke and Heart Attack: Discussion (13 Dec 2023)

Frances Black: Do I gave time for one more question?