Results 2,561-2,580 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Second Stage (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: I am happy to speak briefly on the Bill. I very much welcome some parts of what is in the Bill. Any measures that are introduced to strengthen co-operation between the Garda and general law enforcement should be welcome at all costs. The need for good relations between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland is as necessary as ever given the uncertainty that...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Motion [Private Members] (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: Any Mercosur type deal agreed by this Government will have devastating consequences for Irish farmers, whether beef, dairy, poultry or pig. Today, over 2,000 farmers from west Cork and throughout the country, led by the Irish Beef Plan movement, protested outside the Dáil. Most of them left their wellingtons behind them because many beef farmers know it is all over because the...

Special Educational Needs: Motion [Private Members] (9 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this motion tonight. It is far too common for issues with special needs education to arise. The assertion from the Proclamation read by our forefathers to cherish all the children of the nation equally is definitely not carried through today. Education is just another aspect that brings unnecessary difficulty in the lives of special needs...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: We have spoken about the 80,000 beef farmers in this country and, on average, they spend approximately €30,000 annually in their local communities. We must bear in mind the major losses that will accrue if we sell ourselves down the swanny. Any deal with Mercosur is a shockingly bad deal for Ireland, including its beef, dairy, poultry and pig farmers. I noted the Minister's comments...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: The programme for Government promised a better health service. Parkinson's sufferers in Ireland feel like second-class citizens and they have to suffer silently in a country that ignores their pain. In most European countries, deep brain stimulation operations are offered to Parkinson's sufferers but this vital operation is not available here. In Northern Ireland, there are 31 specialised...

Cork Mail Centre: Motion [Private Members] (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: I welcome the motion. The decision by An Post to close the Cork mail centre by March 2020 will result in the loss of 240 jobs, which will have a devastating affect on the workers and their families. These staff have been hardworking and loyal and this is how they are being repaid. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, is on record in regard to the need for An Post to be commercially viable. This...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: The programme for Government addresses insulation of homes in the section under climate change and the environment. People who receive fuel allowance, and those meeting other criteria, can have their homes insulated under the warmer homes scheme. With just half the year gone, the budget for insulation of homes has been totally used up. This scheme is very important to the people of west...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: In its programme for Government this Government promised to ensure the national interest would be protected in any future trade discussions with a particular focus on beef and safety standards. This Government has failed on both counts in the Mercosur deal which looks like it will allow 99,000 tonnes of beef into the EU each year from the Mercosur countries. My concern is that if we use...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Data (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: 139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if new apprenticeship programmes developed since 2017 will receive the same allowances for apprentices attending college as apprenticeships developed prior to 2017. [28849/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Data (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: 140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new apprenticeships developed since 2017. [28850/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Data (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: 141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprentices enrolled per apprenticeship programme developed since 2017. [28851/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Data (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: 142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if equality of allowances will be sought for all apprenticeships in Budget 2020; the estimated cost in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28852/19]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Identification Schemes (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: 260. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the NBAS31B form has been removed from use by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28401/19]

Mental Health Services Reports: Motion [Private Members] (2 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: Mental health services in west Cork for young and old people leave much to be desired. Only last week, I broke a story I had known about for some time. It concerned our mental health facility known as the centre for mental health care and recovery in Bantry. It is an acute admission unit, which services the west Cork population of more than 50,000 people. The service also has a community...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: Following on from the restrictions to the home care service announced recently, another elderly care support will be restricted as the number of transitional care beds is to be capped. The restrictions to the transitional care beds together with the restrictions to the home help services are another attack on the elderly and will lead to delayed discharges and longer emergency department...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2019)

Michael Collins: This is penny wise and pound foolish. With these types of decisions, it is little wonder the HSE is off budget. Will the Government reverse these restrictions immediately and treat older people with the respect that they are entitled to?

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2019)

Michael Collins: In the programme for Government it was promised to reopen six Garda stations to redress some of the damage done by the previous Fine Gael-Labour Party Government through Garda station closures. In February Fine Gael MEPs, Oireachtas Members and local councillors were falling over themselves in Bandon, County Cork following the Minister’s announcement that Ballinspittle Garda station...

CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Second Stage (26 Jun 2019)

Michael Collins: Vicky Phelan is a brave woman. She will go down in history as a woman who changed the lives of many other women for the better. She fought tirelessly for her rights and the rights of other women. It is a disgrace that this brave woman was dragged through the courts while terminally ill to fight for her right to the truth. She bravely resisted all attempts to get her to agree to a gagging...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Jun 2019)

Michael Collins: Page 69 of the programme for Government states that the Government is committed to conducting an evidence-based review of the current status of implementation of international best practice in the area of mental health. This has not happened in the Bantry centre for mental health and recovery, which has a major staffing crisis. A recent report by the Mental Health Commission found that the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Jun 2019)

Michael Collins: Is the HSE offering positions to nurses who are about to qualify this year, as the HSE needs to recruit nursing staff immediately for a very seriously overstretched Bantry centre for mental health?