Results 2,841-2,860 of 3,763 for speaker:Michael Collins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Preservation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of Peatlands: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: We are in public session. I welcome everyone here today. They have come to assist the committee in considering the preservation of the biodiversity and ecosystems of peatlands. I am very pleased to welcome representatives from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dr. Ciarán O'Keeffe and Mr. Brian Lucan, who are both from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Preservation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of Peatlands: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Preservation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of Peatlands: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: I thank Mr. Lucas for his opening statement. I remind witnesses that their full statements will be published on the committee website after the meeting. Therefore, could witnesses keep their statements to five minutes if possible? I invite Dr. Catherine Farrell, head of ecology at Bord na Móna, to give her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Preservation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of Peatlands: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: I thank Dr. Farrell. I invite Dr. O’Connell to make her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Preservation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of Peatlands: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: Does Dr. O'Connell wish to withdraw it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Preservation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of Peatlands: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: Deputies Ó Cuív and Fitzmaurice have put a number of questions. Who would like to answer first?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Preservation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of Peatlands: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: I call Mr. Brian Lucas from the Department.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Preservation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of Peatlands: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: As we have ten minutes, has Mr. Lucas more to add?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Preservation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of Peatlands: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: I want to ensure Dr. O'Keeffe is-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Preservation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of Peatlands: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: Does Dr. O'Connell wish to add something?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Preservation of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems of Peatlands: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: That concludes our consideration of the matter. I thank Dr. Ciarán O'Keeffe, Mr. Brian Lucas, Dr. Catherine Farrell, Mr. Stuart Conaty, Dr. Catherine O’Connell and Mr. Pádraic Fogarty for attending and for their presentations.

JobPath Programme: Motion [Private Members] (5 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: I welcome this motion and commend Sinn Féin on putting it forward. I have great doubts, however, that anything will be done about the issues many Deputies have raised tonight. I am afraid this will all fall on deaf ears, as has happened before. However, I hope that will not happen tonight. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, has hailed...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: It is the biggest scandal in the country.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: We told the Government about this on 30 March.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Statements (31 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this issue. We do not dedicate enough time to this very important issue, which is almost pushed under the carpet despite the serious issues that exist in our mental health services. The mental health service for children and adolescents falls short of what is needed and is failing young people and their families. We have got to a place where,...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (31 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: In A Programme for a Partnership Government, the section on agriculture and the marine begins on page 112 and it goes on until page 124. Agriculture and the marine are in one Department with one Minister in charge of it. I am not being critical of the Minister but with Brexit coming, be it hard or soft, agriculture needs a strong, stand-alone Minister as do the fisheries, preferably a...

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: I am sharing time with Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. I welcome some of the changes to the Local Government (Rates) Bill because it is vital that our local businesses are supported in a positive manner that will allow them to continue to operate. It is high time that we finally see this Government shake up its act and start taking steps to support hard-working, self-employed people running their...

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: The Government has told us at length about the importance of the rainy day fund. It is more important to know exactly who will benefit from this fund when the time comes. The official statement on the Bill stated that a drawdown from the fund can be made if the Minister is satisfied on reasonable grounds, with evidence and expert analysis, that it is necessary in the event of a severe...

Juvenile Crime: Motion [Private Members] (30 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: I am aware juvenile crime continues to be a major problem in Ireland. Roughly one in ten offences is committed by children. I say with my hand on my heart that in my constituency of west Cork youth crime is not the issue it is in other parts of the country. I do not shy away from the fact that in some towns and villages and various areas of west Cork, we have a certain level of youth...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: On page 46 of A Programme for a Partnership Government, under road investment, the Government promised to increase the budget for local and regional roads by 50% in the years ahead. Almost three years after A Programme for a Partnership Government was commenced, the conditions of many of our local and regional roads are appalling. In west Cork, we are continuously fire-fighting with our...