Results 261-280 of 3,651 for speaker:Michael Collins

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: I thank the Cathaoirleach for holding this meeting. Senator Boyhan cited the number of elected councillors for each party. I do not know whether he threw us under Independents or "others", but we are neither. We are Independent Ireland, a new party with 23 councillors, one MEP and three TDs, and we hope we will grow, but we will find that out as time goes on. I sincerely hope this meeting...

Primary School Funding: Motion [Private Members] (26 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: The chronic underfunding of education is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. The future of our children and nation depend on it. The Government must take decisive action to ensure that all students, regardless of background or needs, have access to a quality education. The capitation grant barely covers energy and electricity costs, with little or no funding left to cover...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (25 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: 370. To ask the Minister for Health the latest update on the extension to the emergency department and new acute medical admissions unit at Mayo University Hospital; the timeframe to for the delivery of the project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26762/24]

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: The decision to join the EU migration pact is a significant one for Ireland with far-reaching implications. This pact is essentially a set of rules and guidelines for managing migration within the European Union and could place a substantial economic and social burden on the country. It could strain public services and local amenities including housing and medical services, which are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister and the officials for coming before the committee. The Minister said that BIM works closely with the industry and all of the recognised representative groups in actively supporting the development of sector as a whole and the inshore fleet in particular. There has been no meeting or contact with members of NIFA regarding the implementation of the inshore strategy....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: I will not question that. If the Minister says the Department has had those meetings, that is good enough. However, BIM has not met NIFA. The Minister in his statement said BIM works closely with the industry and all of the recognised representative groups in actively supporting the development of the sector including inshore. We would expect a meeting would have taken place since 31...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: I appreciate that because some people are struggling severely. Mortgages have to be paid and banks are knocking on the door. There is a serious worry there. The Rural Independent Group brought a motion before Dáil Éireann on 25 January 2023 regarding inshore fishing. It asked for funding of €12 million at the time. That figure that was well researched. To date, only...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: I respect the Minister is right in saying the Government would probably have to double its budget if every request were acceded to, but the Government agreed to the motion that included a figure of €12 million. If the Government disagreed with the motion, it would have been honest and straight to state it could not afford the funding. We agreed to that motion but the Government has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: Is the Minister considering it positively or negatively?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: I appreciate it. Has the Minister acquired any bluefin tuna quota for this year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: The closure of the pollock fishery is a big blow to the inshore sector. To add insult to injury, commercial fishermen who are now stopped from fishing pollock have to watch anglers take any amount they want. This proves the ban had little to do with conservation methods.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: BIM runs a scheme for v-notching lobster. Fishermen have been waiting for this scheme to open since February. We are halfway through the year but fishermen are still waiting. It is crazy that the scheme does not run all year round to benefit the sustainability of lobster.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: Will the scheme run all year round?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: Okay. With the ban on pollock, wind farms and the looming marine protected areas, MPAs, inshore fishermen are now in a dire situation. Has the Government ever considered providing an annual scheme, similar to that for the agricultural sector, for the inshore sector?

Hospitality and Tourism Sector: Motion [Private Members] (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: I would be delighted to.

Hospitality and Tourism Sector: Motion [Private Members] (19 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — from 2011-2018 and 2020-2023, the hospitality and tourism sector enjoyed a reduced 9 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) rate; — the Government restored this rate to 13.5 per cent in September 2023; — the Government’s decision to hike the VAT rate on the sector last year was ill-judged and ill-advised; —...

Carers: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister of State for clarifying that but you have to be terminally ill to get that.

Carers: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: In most cases that is the case because I certainly know from my office.

Carers: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: The Minister of State is incorrect because people have come to my office and they are applying for the medical card and cannot get it even though they have cancer. The Minister of State should not come along telling me that is not the case. Unfortunately, you have to be terminally ill to fill the form the Minister of State is talking about. If not, please give me the form. She must have a...

Carers: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: Thank you too with your dream talk.