Results 2,021-2,040 of 3,763 for speaker:Michael Collins

Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: The general feedback today has been that people will be generally supportive of the Minister if he will accept some or all of these amendments. The Rural Independent Group has put forward amendments. I thank Brian Ó Domhnaill and Mairead McGrath in the office who put time and effort into these constructive amendments. I see that other parties and Independent groups have done the same...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: On the same issue, but in my constituency of Cork South-West, the roll-out of the vaccine has been very confusing to say the least. In some situations, even up to a week ago, doctors in west Cork did not even have vaccines for themselves, never mind their patients. Perhaps that has been corrected but home helps in west Cork, who are at the front line, have not yet received the vaccine. It...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: I will talk about the rest of the issue later.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: We are talking about mandatory quarantine which should have been implemented for people entering this country long before now. I called for it last April or May, although I have not checked my records in that regard. The reason I called for it is that I come from a constituency with a high volume of tourism. I felt at that time that for me to give confidence to the people of west Cork, we...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: We have a major crisis in respect of people over the age of 55 who are on CE schemes. I had a Zoom meeting last Friday with the Skibbereen Education and Environment Project company, which has a number of CE workers, but it looks as if its numbers will be halved. CE workers over the age of 55 and up to the age of 60 are finding it very difficult to get alternative employment. They are now...

Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes: Motion [Private Members] (24 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: We need to extend the lifetime of the mother and baby homes commission and I support the motion put forward by the Social Democrats. By winding down the mother and baby homes commission now, we would, in effect, prevent the carrying out of full investigations, leaving remaining questions unanswered. We need to buy more time for the survivors in their search for truth and justice. Last...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: 790. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a series of matters (details supplied) regarding foreign travel during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9503/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (24 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: 1009. To ask the Minister for Health if improved funding will be provided for dentistry services, in particular for the reimbursement of medical card treatments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10352/21]

Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: Like the previous two speakers, I will not be supporting this Bill to set up a land development agency. It is democracy kicking democracy in the teeth. The past two Governments have been doing this. The current Government is continuing to take basic rights away from local councillors. Rights were taken from the town councillors. Former Minister Phil Hogan stood over their demise. It has...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: Millions of euro is after being spent in Bandon on water and sewerage infrastructure but serious questions have to be asked of Irish Water as sewage is entering some properties on the New Road area in Bandon in recent weeks, especially over the past weekend. I have spoken to residents who are to say the least angry to have their homes destroyed by sewage. It looks like pipes laid are the...

Covid-19 (Drug and Alcohol Services, and Homelessness): Statements (18 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on these matters, particularly the misuse of drugs and alcohol. Many people are struggling during this blooming pandemic. Young people in particular are struggling. It has never been more important to make sure that treatment centres are open and are kept going. It is sad to note that in the short lifetime of this Government, the Cara Lodge...

Insurance (Restriction on Differential Pricing and Profiling) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: I will definitely be supporting this Bill today. I welcome any move to tackle the problem of some consumers being charged higher prices than others with a similar risk profile. This adversely impacts more vulnerable consumers and older people. All consumers deserve to be treated fairly when purchasing insurance. It is essential that consumers and businesses should be treated fairly,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: I thank the witnesses. I concur with the previous speakers in commending the Chairman, who has been extremely vocal on this issue in the Dáil and elsewhere. I have read the reports prepared by the witnesses. I am shocked by the seemingly decimating impacts of the changes relating to peat extraction on the Irish horticulture industry. It is evident that many jobs will be lost and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: I thank the Chairman and I appreciate the opening statement from the witness. I and perhaps other members were shocked when we heard what has been said but we probably already knew about this from the decimating impacts of the changes to peat extraction on the Irish horticulture industry. This is a complete fiasco and absolute disaster. We need legislation to define peat extraction for...

Dumping at Sea Act 1996 (Section 5(12)) (Commencement) Order 2021: Motion (11 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: The dumping at sea motion provides that the responsibility for the Dumping at Sea Act be transferred to the Environmental Protection Agency. Dumping at sea creates water pollution but it does not stop at the sea. There has been a lot of discussion today about renewable energy, oil and gas, which is away from where we are going. Dumping at sea is an awful and huge issue in the area I live,...

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (11 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: I would like the Minister of State to come down to some of the hospitals and nursing homes where the standards that she and her Government colleagues apply have not been applied and the Government has not-----

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (11 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: I have two and a half minutes. At the end I will have a few questions to which the Minister might reply in writing. The HSE has confirmed that Ireland will slow down its vaccine roll-out this week. The revised plan means only 29,000 vaccinations will be given out this week. That is a staggering 17,000 fewer than planned. The number under the original plan was 46,000. Surely a better...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: Like Deputy O'Donoghue, I am getting calls from doctors, nurses and home helps in west Cork that have not been able to get the vaccine yet. At the same time, I am getting calls indicating that in places councillors are getting the vaccine. Is this turning into a nod and wink situation where the vaccine will be given to some but not to others? At the very least, doctors, nurses, home helps...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. Is he aware that there is a potential carbon-neutral development proposed off Barryroe in west Cork? There is the potential to develop a gas field which is not only capable of continuing the supply we currently have from the Corrib field but is also capable of delivering a unique carbon capture and storage facility in County Cork, which could make us...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: The Government committed in 2019 to raising the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources from 30% to 70% by 2030. We all know that wind and solar generation are the best way to reduce emissions with conventional fossil fuel plant playing an important role for many years to come by providing back-up and spare capacity as we move from fossil fuels to a cleaner future. I support...