Latest news with #FrancesBlack
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Mary Coughlan: ‘The first time we ever played the Ulster Hall, a man got up and started to do the conga'
Ahead of performing alongside Frances Black and Sharon Shannon in Larne, Mary Coughlan speaks about having an opinion and having your voice heard She's been called 'fiercely herself' and, after 40 years in the music industry, Mary Coughlan is showing no signs of stopping. Speaking to Review while making 'the best ever' chilli for her family, she's no stranger to Northern Ireland, performing in Warrenpoint last weekend and gearing up to be on stage with Frances Black and Sharon Shannon at the Friends Goodwill Music Festival in Larne.
Extra.ie
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Frances Black lifts the lid on Presidential Election 'rumours'
Singer and Independent Senator Frances Black has lifted the lid on 'rumours' that she will be running in the Presidential Election. The 64-year-old is one of the favourites to replace Michael D Higgins who departs the role later in the year and appeared on Ireland AM on Wednesday to reveal all. The musician confirmed to presenters Muireann O'Connell and Tommy Bowe that she had been asked if she would be interested in a conversation. Singer and Independent Senator Frances Black has lifted the lid on 'rumours' that she will be running in the Presidential Election. Pic: Ireland AM/ Frances Black The admission came when Muireann jokingly asked if the Dubliner was any good at decorating a 'big house.' Chuckling, Frances revealed her bid for Áras was 'just a complete and utter rumour.' 'You are a favourite!!' Muireann pointed out. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ireland AM (@irelandamvmtv) 'I know,' Frances responded, 'I was asked back in January would I be open for the conversation and all I said was, 'yes.' There's been no more conversation since. So I doubt very much if I'll be running for Presidency.' Asked if she had been asked to run, Frances explained: 'It was suggested to me by a couple of the smaller parties — would I be open to the conversation? And all I said was, yes. I was open for the conversation but there has been no other conversation since. 'I've let it go. It's literally rumours that have gone like wildfires.' Elsewhere, comedian Tommy Tiernan had his say on his own bid for the Irish Presidential election, teasing that he would only do it if he could present Liveline simultaneously. Pic: RTÉ The clip was shared to the Ireland AM social media pages with one noting 'she'd be a great candidate,' while another admitted they 'didn't know that she's a Senator.' Elsewhere, comedian Tommy Tiernan had his say on his own bid for the Irish Presidential election, teasing that he would only do it if he could present Liveline simultaneously. The 55-year-old's name has been swirling around both potential candidates for the Election as well as potential replacements for Joe Duffy when he retires next month. Speaking to Brendan O'Connor on RTÉ Radio 1 over the weekend, Tommy joked presenting Liveline would be 'hard to fit in around the presidency.' He then clarified that he was 'too young' and outgoing President Higgins had set a very high bar. 'His morality, his fearlessness in the stances he's taken, his gift as an orator, his integrity…We've had 14 years of the most magnificent presidency. It's not for us to imagine how the next one will happen.'
Belfast Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Watch: Friends Goodwill Music Festival returns to Larne
Friends Goodwill Music Festival returns to Larne. A weekend of of live music, family entertainment, and cultural celebration returns to Larne on Saturday 7th - Sunday 8th June. The lineup includes Mary Coughlan, Frances Black, The 4 of Us and the Lee Hedley Blues Band.
Irish Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Government's Occupied Territories Bill: what's in it, how it has changed and what the implications might be
The Government has decided to approve drafting of the Occupied Territories Bill. But is it not drafted already? Yes and no. Independent Senator Frances Black first tabled a Bill to ban trade with Israeli entities based in the Occupied Palestinian Territories back in 2018, long before the current conflict in Gaza . The then Government blocked it on the basis that as trade is an EU competence, the legislation would be illegal under EU law. Last year, however, in the light of the conflict in Gaza and a decision of the International Court of Justice about the Occupied Territories, the Government had a rethink, and the Attorney General advised that legislation could now be possible. But serious legal problems remain with Senator Black's legislation, it said, so it would draft its own. That has now got the formal go-ahead . So what happens now? Officials will proceed to draft the 'heads' of the Bill – a summary of what each section of the Bill contains, though it's likely this work is substantially done. The heads will then go before the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee for what is known as 'pre-legislative scrutiny' – where the proposed law is discussed before actual legal text is prepared. That's expected to happen in mid- to late- June, and could be finished by mid-July, when the Oireachtas rises for the summer break. What will the Bill do? The Bill would ban imports originating from the Palestinian Territories that are, under international law, illegally occupied by Israel . Unlike Senator Black's Bill, the Government's Bill will not ban trade in services with the Occupied Territories. This, say campaigners, is an important part of the Bill as online platforms such as Airbnb have a substantial presence in some of the territories, offering tourist accommodation. The Government cites legal difficulties with this, though campaigners say it does not make sense that if a ban on trade in goods is possible, a ban on trade in services would be impossible. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris says he has 'no policy disagreement' with people seeking a ban on trade in services , but does not believe it is legally possible. However, he also says he is willing to be challenged on this, suggesting he is open to changing his mind. Campaigners say they believe they can convince the Government during pre-legislative scrutiny at the Foreign Affairs Committee to include a ban on services in the Bill. READ MORE Does Ireland really do that much trade with the Occupied Territories? No – hardly any, in fact. But that's not what this is about. Campaigners believe that if this Bill can be put on the statute book, it would give a lead to other EU countries, sparking an international movement. They point out that last year Ireland was alone in seeking a review of the Israel-EU trade agreement – now, 19 member states have sought a review, and the European Commission has agreed, raising the prospect of EU-Israel trade being affected. This is one of the reasons why Israel has been so critical of the Irish Government and has sought to enlist the help of the United States to oppose the legislation. Like the campaigners who support the Bill, Israel sees it as an important international precedent. Israel believes it is part of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Its supporters say, yes it is. Are there potential costs to the Bill for Ireland? A quiet but substantial lobby in Government is extremely concerned that passing the legislation could involve significant costs for Ireland . Most, if not all, are all completely opposed to Israel's assault on Gaza and the resultant civilian toll – but they worry that US companies operating in Ireland could fall foul of US laws prohibiting boycotts of Israel. For a start, many people in Government want the costs to be assessed. So there's a long way to go yet before any Bill is passed.
Irish Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Calls to delay Dail summer recess to pass Occupied Territories Bill
The opposition has called on the Government to delay the summer recess in a bid to pass the Occupied Territories Bill. Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris received Cabinet approval on Tuesday to draft legislation that would ban the purchase of goods from illegally-occupied Palestinian Territories. The proposal does not involve provisions to ban the purchase of services as contained in the original Occupied Territories Bill proposed by Senator Frances Black. Mr Harris stated that the plans will be sent to the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee next month. However, there are doubts whether there will be time to have it in place by the Dáil summer recess. The Dáil is on a one-week break next week. When it returns, it will sit for six weeks before taking its summer holidays from July 18. The Social Democrats' foreign affairs spokeswoman, Patricia Stephenson, called on the holidays to be postponed in order to get the Occupied Territories Bill over the line. She said: 'We need to see this bill enacted as a matter of urgency, even if this means recalling the Dáil next week and delaying summer recess. 'Almost six months into this government, we are only now seeing the Tánaiste bringing a memo to Cabinet on the drafting of a bill. 'Like the previous administration, this government has dragged its feet when it comes to progressing the Occupied Territories Bill, which was first proposed back in 2018. 'As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I believe the Dáil should sit next week for pre-legislative scrutiny, which would allow the bill to progress to the final stages. 'Government condemnation of Israel's atrocities in Gaza is no longer enough – we need to see action now.' This was echoed by Labour's Duncan Smith, who said that the Foreign Affairs Committee should 'sit as quickly and often as is necessary' to get the legislation passed. Senator Black welcomed the Government's decision to draft the legislation but said her 'work is not done yet'. She said: 'I first tabled the Occupied Territories Bill in 2018, and finally, after seven years of delay, I'm relieved we are finally seeing some action. 'It's horrible that it has taken so much suffering to get here and we can't afford to waste any more time. 'The onus is now on Government to act with the urgency this moment demands – to stand firmly against the horrific war crimes being committed both in Gaza and the West Bank. 'The key thing, however, is getting the detail right. 'We need to see a full ban on all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, which includes both physical goods like fruit and veg, but also intangible services like tech and IT. 'That is the standard set in the original Occupied Territories Bill, which I tabled, and it's what the International Court of Justice has said is required.'
