Results 2,761-2,780 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: And fisherwomen.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. Irish fishermen face uncertain times in Irish waters due to Brexit. In the UK British Ministers and MPs are making it very clear that when Brexit kicks in, Irish fishermen are to be kicked out of UK waters. This is how they will protect their fishermen going forward. What will happen when other European vessels are put out of UK waters? The real...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: Morale among Irish fishermen is at an all-time low. These hardworking men across the country have given blood, sweat and tears to their profession and have seen their every right eroded by successive Governments year after year, decade after decade. Fishermen have no faith in the political system. They feel strongly that there is no concession to be made in any negotiations with Europe and...

Nurses and Midwives: Motion [Private Members] (16 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: Last night I talked about the disgrace our health service has become. The INMO and PNA have served notice of industrial action for the weeks ahead. Both unions have been forced into taking such action in the interest of patients and everyone who uses the public health service. Nurses and midwives are the lowest paid graduate professionals in our health services. This is not acceptable....

Rural Crime: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: I am delighted to be able to introduce this motion with my colleagues in the Rural Independent Group. I thank Triona and David in Deputy Mattie McGrath’s office for their assistance in this regard. Coming from a rural area in west Cork, I know only too well the fear and worry caused by rural crime in our communities, especially among isolated people living alone who may be elderly...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. The HSE was established in 2005. In 2013, a directorate governance structure was put in place for the HSE as a temporary measure until the latter's functions could be moved elsewhere. Under the health reform programme, this directorate structure has remained in place for longer than planned. The Government states that this is because of the...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (18 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: This is a very important Bill. The amendment to the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 will establish specific grounds with regard to getting some orphan products assigned to the reimbursements list. Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more rare conditions in Ireland and it is vital those receiving medication for rare conditions are entitled to get it reimbursed through...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: In the programme for Government, under the heading, Road Investment, the Government promised to increase the budget for local and regional roads "by approximately 50% in the years ahead as the national finances are repaired". Almost three years after the programme for Government was commenced, the condition of many of our local and regional roads is appalling. I witnessed 11 vehicles with...

Local Government Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: In his reply the Minister of State said that discussions have been going on since 2011. I was elected to this House in 2016 and before that I was a member of Cork County Council. If discussions have been going on at ground level, why was the Government not listening to the councillors? They are the people at ground level to whom the Minister of State should be listening. I was listening...

Local Government Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: I would like to speak to the amendment. Deputy Ryan is well able to speak on behalf of the people of Cork, especially as he come down to my parish to get married. I would never doubt his good intentions for the people of Cork. The Bill will have detrimental consequences for people living in County Cork and in the constituency I represent. I have no doubt about this. I have brought...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: Page 108 of the programme for Government, in the section on agriculture, states: "The priority for agriculture must be to reward farmers for producing quality food." It was recently revealed that factories have been fined 21 times this year for excessive carcass-trimming. This trimming is carried out before carcasses are weighed to calculate payments to the farmer who owns the cattle....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, announced to the media yesterday his intention to increase penalty points and fines for speeding, which has been met with anger and frustration in the constituency of Cork South-West where there has been no proper investment in roads. I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the Minister's proposal to apply a fine and penalty points to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: Previously a garda would tell a person to drop in to the Garda station and produce his or her licence. Could we have a proper debate on the issue? Will the Taoiseach stand by those law-abiding people and not allow the changes to go ahead?

Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on the Bill this evening. It will provide for the recognition of non-Irish professional qualifications which have been recognised by the Minister and State bodies prior to the introduction of statutory registration for health and social care professionals. They will continue to be recognised for the purpose of registration under the Act. In...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: Page 144 on the programme for Government states: "Our active membership of the UN is an important aspect of our foreign policy". Does Ireland intend to sign the UN migration pact, and if it does, with what new conditions will Ireland have to comply?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: It is my belief that the terms of the political declaration made on 22 November this year are not binding on either the UK or the EU. Specifically, I believe that the wording in section XII, Fishing Opportunities, makes it very clear that what is set out in paragraphs 73, 74, 75 and 76 is aspirational and is legally binding on neither party. This causes serious worries for all Irish...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: Irish fishermen who fish in Irish waters are far outnumbered by foreign vessels. They have seen the opportunities for fishing diminish in recent years and the disappointment they feel is also felt by inshore fishermen, who are also struggling. It is incredibly frustrating that Irish fishermen cannot get bluefin quota when their fellow Europeans have received it. There is a strong feeling...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: 4. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the joint British and EU position is that sea fisheries are to be dealt with separately from trade in accordance with the wording of Article 6, paragraph 1, of the withdrawal agreement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51347/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: In the light of Brexit negotiations, I seek clarity on a number of issues related to Irish fishermen's rights. Will the Minister confirm that the joint British and EU position is that sea fisheries are to be dealt with separately from trade in accordance with the wording of Article 6, paragraph 1, of the withdrawal agreement? If I am correct, the wording of Article 6 of the withdrawal...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry Irregularities (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Collins: 189. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the factories that were penalised to date in 2018 for excessive carcase trimming; when the farmers whose cattle were wrongly trimmed and as result have not been fully paid will be informed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51348/18]