Results 1-20 of 514 for at speaker:Frances Black

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 May 2024)

Frances Black: Go raibh maith agat. I must again raise the issue of Gaza and the invasion of Rafah in its southern part. It fills me with so much dread it is hard to articulate at this stage. Rafah is about the size of Limerick city and is now home to more than 1.5 million people who have been displaced from their homes in northern and central Gaza by Israel's murderous invasion. People in Rafah are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Implementation of Sláintecare Reforms: Department of Health and HSE (8 May 2024)

Frances Black: I have a quick question. I was interested in Mr. McCallion's opening statement, in which he mentioned advancing the implementation of a new application this year. Could he tell us more about that? Is it aimed at members of the public or is it more for healthcare professionals?

Seanad: Loneliness: Motion (1 May 2024)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him well going forward in his new position. I also thank the Green Party Senators for using their Private Members' time to table this important and timely motion. The results of the European Commission's research report, which shows that Ireland is the loneliest country in the EU, are honestly really shocking. They run contrary to...

Seanad: Flooding on Lough Funshinagh: Statements (30 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: I welcome the Minister of State to the House today. I welcome the statements on the horrific flooding that happened in Lough Funshinagh. I am happy to be here today to speak on it in a formal sense. It is an opportunity to express our concern, sympathy and solidarity with the residents who had to evacuate their homes. The broader community is so worried about this. No doubt the Minister...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: ...for the confusion. I will speak to amendments Nos. 35, 36 and 95 to 102, inclusive. Amendment No. 35 seeks to amend section 9 by specifying, with regard to the functions of the agency, that as well as supporting the development and maintenance of a national system of research and innovation, in co-operation and collaboration with An tÚdaras, Enterprise Ireland and the other bodies...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: ...11, line 37, after “retention” to insert “, career progression”. I will speak to amendments Nos. 39 to 42, inclusive. Amendment No. 39 seeks to amend section 9(1)(e) by specifying that it would be a function of the agency to support career progression. Currently, the paragraph only provides for engagement, retention and development of the skills and...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: I thank all the councillors for their contributions. They truly are invaluable. In listening to them all, there is a palpable sense of frustration. There is no doubt, from what they said, that people get involved in local politics because they are passionate about their communities and really want to make change. It is unfortunate that councillors can be hampered at every turn, which is...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: I thank everyone most sincerely for coming in to share their ideas and perspectives with us. I thank Fórsa, the PPN, the Irish delegation to the European Committee of the Regions and, of course, the councillors. We have heard from organisations, former Ministers with responsibility for local government and councillors, who have brought varied and valuable insights that have been...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: I appreciate what Senator Clonan said. He spoke with a heavy heart. I, too, speak with a heavy heart on Israel's genocidal war against the people of Gaza, which has now been going on for 200 days. Thirty-four thousand people have been killed and many more are missing. Today at Nasser hospital, Khan Younis, central Gaza, Palestinian Civil Defence workers are uncovering mass graves filled...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Delivery of Health Services for Patients with Long Covid: Discussion (17 Apr 2024)

Frances Black: I will keep it short. I commend our guests on the work they are doing and thank them for it. It is very important work. They have highlighted the dismissal, minimisation and gaslighting they have experienced, on top of long Covid itself. That must be horrific. I really acknowledge what they have said. I agree with Ms O'Donovan that it should not be treated as a psychological issue,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (20 Mar 2024)

Frances Black: I thank Sadaka for all its help. I pay tribute to that organisation on the work it has done on the occupied territories Bill. I specifically thank Deputy Brady and Sinn Féin for introducing this brilliant legislation. It is very simple legislation. It is not rocket science. It could easily be passed if allowed. I thank the representatives of IPSC and Sadaka for appearing before the...

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 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. Joanne McEvoy. They spoke about the need for organic and...

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...

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: 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...