Results 3,561-3,580 of 3,902 for speaker:Michael Collins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development: Discussion (29 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: With regard to the changes made to Leader, the changes are what messed up the whole thing because it was rolling out nicely in communities. Obviously, there would have been a bit of tweaking somewhere, although not in west Cork, thank God. Everything has changed. Mr. Mulherin could ask every Deputy in the country. It does not have to be an Independent Deputy. It could be a Government...

Social Welfare Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: I am happy to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The Bill is important as it provides for the social welfare measures announced in the budget for the coming year. Many of these measures, such as the increase in maternity and adoptive benefits, are more than welcome. However, the measures only come into effect at the end of March 2018. As I asked the Minister during my statement...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the Bill. It is important to support the Bill, which seeks to amend the Planning and Development Act 2000. I wish to express my disappointment at the number of rough sleepers in our streets today. The Government has done little to fix the current housing crisis. It is now more than 15 months since A Programme for a Partnership Government...

Rural Crime: Motion (21 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: I am pleased to be able to speak on this important motion and I am glad to see it coming before the Dáil tonight. Coming from a rural area in Cork South-West, I know too well the fear and worry of rural crime in our communities, and especially for isolated people living alone who may be elderly and vulnerable. Last week, I spoke about the Government's failure to rural-proof its...

Order of Business (21 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: I refer to the programme for Government at page 85 on care for elderly. In Leaders' Questions three weeks ago, I asked the Taoiseach about Bandon Community Hospital, a question he referred back to the Minister for Health, from whom I got no answer. Major works were completed in Bandon Community Hospital last August. Although December is approaching, the HSE has not adequately staffed the...

Order of Business (21 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: We are waiting for it.

Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill 2017: Second Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: I am sharing time with Deputy Jim O'Callaghan.

Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill 2017: Second Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: I am happy to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The Bill is very important as it addresses a variety of anti-corruption measures on a national and international level. This legislation is necessary in eliminating white-collar crime. Tonight, however, I wish to raise a case with the Minister that I have brought to his attention previously. The case goes back some time and...

Housing (Homeless Families) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: I am happy to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I thank Deputy Jan O'Sullivan for putting it forward. I support the Bill, which will amend the Housing Act 1988 and provide for a housing authority to recognise related homeless persons as a joint family unit when making decisions regarding their rehoming. As over 3,000 children live either on our streets or in emergency...

Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: The seafood and marine section of the programme for Government refers to fishermen's income. Due to the recent Storm Ophelia, fishermen along the south and west coast sustained serious losses where their pots were either destroyed or lost. One fisherman, among many in west Cork, lost 250 pots. At a cost €60 per pot, this is putting financial strain on fishermen and their families....

Select Committee on Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Revised) (15 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: First I would like to congratulate the Minister and the Minister of State on their appointments. I fought a long time for a standalone Minister for rural and community affairs and we have that now. It is a very important position because rural issues had been slightly left behind down the years. I hope we will be able to address many issues in the future and work closely together. I...

Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (14 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: I thank the Acting Chairman. I commiserate with anyone who has lost a loved one in any road tragedy. I have seen quite a lot of it down through the years through my work. I see the devastating effects it has on the family and the community. I must be honest and say that I have a conflict of interest when talking about this Bill because I have two brothers who work in the pub business...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Pensions (9 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: 4. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reinstate the pension bands to their pre 2012 levels; his further plans to correct the pension anomalies that affected approximately 35,000 women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47440/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Pensions (9 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: I have examined this matter and it has been going on for a number of years. It is shockingly unfair that the Minister will only seek to address it in the year 2020. It is totally unfair. These women are being penalised by these anomalies. Deputy Joan Burton and the then Government made serious changes which disadvantaged many of these workers who stayed at home caring for children, for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Pensions (9 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: As I have pointed out, this is a violation of thousands of women's rights. We fight for women's rights every day. This is a complete violation of the rights of the women who worked hard in their homes. Many Deputies took extra money for themselves in pay reform and €5 million has been made available for a PR budget, so money can be found if there is a need, and there is a desperate...

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak about this extremely important issue which has been brought to light in the last year by a very brave Cork woman, Vera Twomey. She highlighted the problems facing her young daughter, Ava Barry, who was suffering from a severe form of epilepsy, Dravet syndrome. She has seizures numerous times a day, but these seizures can be reduced...

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: It was agreed in the programme for Government that there would be rural-proofing of all Government policies. Where is the rural-proofing of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and the Road Traffic Bill? If they are passed, they will lead to the closure of many rural supermarkets and public houses and a loss of jobs in rural Ireland.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: What about rural-proofing?

Heritage Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister for bringing forward the Bill. There are certain aspects of it on which I would like further clarity but it is a move in the right direction and one we should have made long ago. That would have avoided a hell of a lot of issues we are dealing with today, including people being killed on roadsides by falling trees, as well as the problem of illegal burning that is not...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (9 Nov 2017)

Michael Collins: 138. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reverse the Financial Emergency Measures in Public Interest cuts on general practices which has had a devastating impact on rural general practitioners; the steps he will take to address this to restore the viability of rural general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47441/17]