Results 1,961-1,980 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Medicinal Products (27 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: 778. To ask the Minister for Health when the Zolgensma gene therapy will be approved for reimbursement for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4023/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Brexit on Fisheries Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: I thank the Chair for accommodating this meeting. It is of huge importance and I will get straight into what I need to say. As far as I am concerned, after listening to fishermen, their unions and leaders, we are facing a massive crisis in fishing. I am in a rural constituency, surrounded by water and fishing, that has seen cuts for the last number of years and neglect by successive...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Brexit on Fisheries Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: The Minister is obviously going back out to Europe to see whether he can renegotiate the quotas but in some of the replies to the questions that have been asked he said that in his opinion no country will be offering any of its quota. Those countries have a deal with which some of them are happy enough. They have a far better deal than what we got. In my view, it should be shared equally...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Brexit on Fisheries Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: I welcome our guests from the fishing organisations in various parts of the country. No one knows more than they do the catastrophic crisis the industry faces. The issue greatly affects my constituency, so I welcome their contributions to the meeting. The Minister stated when the deal was done that it was a fair one. I was astonished when I heard that. He stated that there would be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Brexit on Fisheries Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: As far as I know, and I stand to be corrected, the four organisations have met since this bad deal was signed up to. They met with the Taoiseach and the Minister. Did the Taoiseach give them any indication as to his view on how the unfortunate situation with which they are faced can be turned around? Are there any ready-made jobs in rural communities that are guaranteed to lose the jobs?...

Covid-19 (Special Educational Needs Provision): Statements (21 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: With regard to special needs, it is a very difficult time for everybody and I respect that and I am not going to add to that difficulty. On the question of going back to school, up to now it has kind of been the cart before the horse, or that is what people have been saying - announce the openings first and then have discussions afterwards. Doing it this way is causing a lot of false hope...

Brexit (Fishing Industry): Statements (21 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: I do not have much time for the questions and maybe the Minister can reply to me after the debate. I spoke about fisheries yesterday and I will repeat some of what I said in case the Minister did not get a chance to hear it. I have consistently called on the Government, especially the Minister, to be straight with the fisheries sector and the public about why the Government effectively sold...

Brexit (Foreign Affairs): Statements (21 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: I have three minutes for questions and answers and Deputy Mattie McGrath has the remainder of the time. We have been six months fighting on the cross-border directive for a new scheme. There seemingly is a newly announced Northern Ireland planned healthcare initiative. Will this scheme be available to people from west Cork or elsewhere in the Republic of Ireland who have problems with...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: The lack of broadband is now becoming a living nightmare for thousands of workers who cannot work from their homes and students who are unable to connect from their homes to the schools. We await the roll-out of national broadband, which is great, whenever it happens. In the last week alone, I have been contacted by families from Dunmanway, Coomhola, Bantry, Drimoleague, Kinsale, Bandon,...

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (21 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: I am thankful the Minister is here because it is a very important issue for every constituent. The public has so many genuine questions about vaccines. When will people with cystic fibrosis get it? When will those over 70 and home carers get it? The home help service in west Cork, and everywhere, is at the front line like no other. There are approximately 1,000 elderly and vulnerable...

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (21 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: I would appreciate it if the Minister could furnish me with that information. I want to commend the community hospitals in west Cork that had doses of the vaccine leftover but called in a number of home helps to use them up. It was a great idea and the right way to use up the few vaccines that were available. The intimate care home helps have to provide, which in many cases includes...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: 20. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a direct contact will be provided for Members of Dáil Éireann to access information regarding the provision of broadband (details supplied). [3246/21]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: 23. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if broadband will be provided to a property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3321/21]

EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement: Motion (20 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: I thank Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. Obviously, we in this country wanted a Brexit deal to be agreed. It is certain that nobody here wanted a hard border. We did not, however, want a deal at the cost at which it has come for certain sectors. I put the blame for how the Irish fishing sector has been affected firmly on the Irish Government. I have consistently called on the Government to...

Pay for Student Nurses and Midwives: Motion [Private Members] (20 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: I am delighted to speak in support of this motion. I know that the student nurses have been exploited to a large extent during this pandemic. They have had to work long shifts, some up to 13 hours a day, and have been exposed to traumatic scenes in the hospitals, including treating seriously ill patients and comforting the dying and their families. Despite all that, these student nurses...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Personal Public Service Numbers (20 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: 348. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for PPS numbers by persons (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2569/21]

Covid-19 (Higher Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: If the Minister cannot answer all my questions in the time available, he might respond to me in writing. What action will the Minister take to ensure the return of accommodation fees, which were paid in good faith at the start of the academic year, given that because of Covid-19 restrictions, the majority of third level colleges are carrying out lectures online and students are no longer...

Covid-19 (Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: I have a lot of questions but I accept that the Minister will not be able to answer all of them now. I ask that she reply in writing to those questions she does not cover. My office has been inundated with calls, messages and emails from leaving certificate 2021 students, as I am sure is true of every Deputy. The main message from the students is that the Department should put a predicted...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: In 2020, more than 7,000 people either going blind or in pain and in need of an operation availed of the cross-Border scheme. On 31 December, this scheme ended, leaving thousands in the Republic who require urgent surgery in the North stranded. Three cross-Border health initiatives were in place prior to 31 December. Cancer patients travelled from Donegal to Derry. Children requiring...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (13 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: There have been more cases of Covid-19 per million people in Ireland over the past seven days than anywhere else in the world. There is a complete lack of focus on some factors that have not been addressed. Experts, including Professor Anthony Staines, believe the following four factors apply. The Government decided not to test adequately for Covid-19. In fact, Ireland was one of the only...