Results 2,161-2,180 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Protecting Jobs and Supporting Business: Statements (16 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: This is a hugely important time to protect jobs and support businesses but the Government is doing the exact opposite. Take how businesses and private residents in west Cork were destroyed following recent flooding in Bantry, Skibbereen, Rosscarbery, Bandon and Rathbarry, when the only support they got was humanitarian aid, which businesses cannot get if they already have insurance. No...

Workers' Rights: Motion [Private Members] (16 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I thank Deputy Joan Collins and the rest of the Independent Group for tabling the motion. Former Debenhams workers in Cork are carrying out a 12-hour fast while on a picket line today to raise funds for Marymount hospice in the city. They feel that the people of Cork have been so good to them that it is time they paid them back. Tomorrow will mark 161 days of industrial action taken by...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: The Matt Talbot Services announced the closure of the Cara Lodge in Ahiohill, Clonakilty last week with the loss of 27 jobs in west Cork. As well as the loss of these jobs, a much-needed service for young people in west Cork will close. We have never had such a high incidence of mental health issues and substance abuse among our young people and there has never been such a need for this...

Taxi Industry: Motion [Private Members] (16 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I congratulate the Minister of State on his appointment as this is my first time speaking to him since his appointment. The plight of taxi drivers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic has been very severe. It is impacting on taxi drivers across the entire country. Clearly, taxi drivers have been forgotten in the response to Covid-19. The Government must step in and establish a taxi...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I raised the issue of the cross-border directive with the then Tánaiste, Deputy Coveney, 12 months ago in the House. The question was whether the cross-border scheme would continue in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Many people have gone to Northern Ireland for hip, knee and, most importantly, cataract surgery. In the last year and a half, myself, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, Councillor Ben...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: The Taoiseach is saying it is over.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: Is the legislation in place?

Public Health, Well-being and National Drugs Strategy: Statements (10 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: No, I am on my own.

Public Health, Well-being and National Drugs Strategy: Statements (10 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I am. Is the Minister of State aware of the closure yesterday, out of the blue, of the Cara Lodge Residential Treatment Centre, run by the Matt Talbot Adolescent Services in Ahiohill in Clonakilty in west Cork? This was a free residential centre with a programme for 14 to 18-year-old males with substance misuse issues. The centre had a capacity for six young people and they could remain...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Examination of HIQA Report on the Impact of Covid-19 on Nursing Homes in Ireland (10 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I start by thanking the staff of nursing homes in west Cork. To the best of my knowledge they have been free of Covid-19, which has been a great relief to the families of residents. I refer also to community hospitals. Fabulous work is going on there in difficult times. Great thanks and praise are due for that. I would like to ask the witnesses several questions and give them a chance...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Examination of HIQA Report on the Impact of Covid-19 on Nursing Homes in Ireland (10 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: Who signed that statutory instrument? In my view, it has cost the lives of many people in community hospitals where there were Covid-19 outbreaks.

Mental Health and Older People: Statements (9 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I congratulate the Minister of State on her appointment and I agree with my colleague, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, who said last night that there is no better person in terms of her care for the unborn in our campaign some time back. She gave great support to that and if she gives the same support in the job she is in, we are in safe hands. The mental health system is preparing for a tsunami...

Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020: Motion [Private Members] (9 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: Vótail.

Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020: Motion [Private Members] (9 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I wish the Minister of State the best in his position. This has been my first opportunity to congratulate him and wish him well. On Thursday last, 110 Deputies in this Dáil fell over themselves to vote in favour of the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020, giving further powers to the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and others. The Deputies, from...

Gnó Comhaltaí Príobháideacha - Private Members' Business - Cancer Screening: Motion [Private Members] (8 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I thank Sinn Féin for giving us the opportunity to speak on this motion. More than 9,000 people die from cancer every year in Ireland. Therefore, urgent action is needed to ensure that the national cancer strategy meets its targets of being in the top quarter for five-year survival rates among EU states. There are major backlogs in cancer screening and treatment in Ireland due to...

Back to School, Further and Higher Education and Special Education: Statements (3 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I am sharing time with Deputy O'Donoghue. As colleagues have outlined, pupils and parents are having a nightmare in regard to school transport. I spoke about this issue yesterday at the meeting of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response and I will do so again today. We have seen a lot of improvements carried out in schools throughout west Cork in the past couple of months. A lot of...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I support Deputy Howlin’s amendment. This whole legislation is another attack on the publicans of this country. I have already said in the past week in the public domain that Fine Gael spent four years trying to get rid of the rural pubs, aided and abetted by Fianna Fáil, but now Fianna Fáil is doing its level best to close their doors, and the doors have been slammed shut,...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I support Deputy Howlin’s amendment. The Government plan is to rush new Covid-19 enforcement laws and powers through the Dáil, and it is nothing short of draconian. There are two aims to the Bill: to provide additional enforcement powers to An Garda Síochána to shut down bars and restaurants; and to give gardaí the powers to go into every house in the country....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: I am disappointed to hear the Minister say today that there is no clear compensation package being considered by the Government for the businesses and properties that have been destroyed in west Cork. Humanitarian aid through the Red Cross is nowhere near enough. It will not even cover 20% of those people who are affected. Has the Minister any idea of the pressure these people are under?...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Sep 2020)

Michael Collins: Over the past two weeks, the beautiful constituency of Cork South-West has seen devastation due to severe flooding which has destroyed businesses, private homes and people's property. The people of Rathbarry, Rosscarbery, Connonagh, Leap, Skibbereen, Bandon, Dunmanway and Bantry have experienced flooding beyond belief. Businesses such as the Eldon Hotel in Skibbereen, Wiseman's shop in...