Results 1-20 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Common Agricultural Policy and Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan: Statements (15 May 2025)

Michael Collins: This is my first chance to welcome the Minister to his new role and I wish him the best going forward. I also welcome the IFA president, Mr. Francie Gorman, who is here with us. I acknowledge the volunteers on the ground in farm organisations, such as Mr. Tadhg Healy and previously Mr. Donal O'Donovan in west Cork. Tadhg is my right ear most weeks on farm issues and Mr. Dermot Kelleher, of...

Driving Test Wait Times: Statements (14 May 2025)

Michael Collins: The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, said on 1 May, "The current delays in the driver testing system are simply not acceptable." He also said, "People deserve a national driver testing service that they can rely upon", and that he will continue to hold the RSA to account until we see meaningful progress. To be honest, we are all fed up of hearing the same old line over and over again. I...

Trade Union Recognition Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (14 May 2025)

Michael Collins: This Bill aims to improve workers' rights, but it also brings some challenges for small businesses, which would cause me to be concerned. I see Independent Ireland supporting this Bill going forward, but I want to raise concerns we have because there are a lot of concerns for small businesses in particular. Small businesses would no doubt have more paperwork and formal tasks like...

Housing and Critical Infrastructure: Motion [Private Members] (13 May 2025)

Michael Collins: If we got a euro for every time we spoke about housing since I came to Dáil Éireann, we would have a hell of a lot of houses built. We have a massive problem. We know that. I cannot understand why Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats and Labour have thrown out figures for delivery of housing which they know they can never deliver. Go down to my patch...

Power of Higher Education, Research and Skills as Economic Enablers in a Changing World: Statements (13 May 2025)

Michael Collins: I will begin by wishing Deputies Harkin and James Lawless the very best in their positions going forward. This is the first opportunity I have had to wish them well. We have situations where there is a rural-urban divide in higher education. My concern is that Skibbereen Adult Education Centre and Kinsale Further Education College are doing an excellent job but the problem is that we...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Michael Collins: As my colleagues mentioned, 14-year-old Cara Darmody is coming to sleep outside the Dáil next week for 50 hours to raise awareness not only for her own family, but for other families throughout this country. We need to put together a joint motion and we need to time to discuss this matter at great length next week because we are breaking the laws in this country, the laws we said we...

Parental Choice in Education: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2025)

Michael Collins: The Social Democrats have tabled a motion in the Dáil that calls for the Government to increase the number of multidenominational schools and to phase out religious patronage in special education. I have listened carefully today to all the reasons we should remove church patronage. There are also those of us who oppose these statements and who argue that religious institutions play a...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Michael Collins: This discussion is centred on extending certain provisions of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. This extension aims to allow the hospitality sector to continue providing outdoor seating areas for the sale and consumption of alcohol. Independent Ireland and I are in full agreement with this extension. This is crucial for offering clarity and certainty to business, patrons,...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Michael Collins: However, it is all about seating, and the rates for seating are coming-----

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Michael Collins: I know that, and I respect that, but I am only talking about the importance of having it there. The fact is that they now have it, but they are being punished for having it there by being rated. It is difficult for these business. In a few months, they are trying to turn over a profit and make enough to keep staff on board. These businesses are paying for rates, electricity, staff, VAT,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (8 May 2025)

Michael Collins: I start by thanking Deputy Micheál Carrigy for bringing students from Scoil Samhthann in Ballinalee in County Longford to the Public Gallery here today. Many of them are there behind me, including my own cousin, who has very strong connections with west Cork. Aisling Hennessy is here with her fellow students and teachers. They are most welcome. The private nursing home sector...

Childcare: Motion (7 May 2025)

Michael Collins: One of the main issues affecting countless families is childcare. The Dáil recognises the significant challenges many parents face in affording and finding suitable childcare. The shortage of childcare places has left many children on waiting lists. The high costs, sometimes exceeding €1,000 per month, place an immense additional financial burden on families. We must...

Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (Resumed) (7 May 2025)

Michael Collins: The recent Farrelly commission report on the Grace foster home abuse case has resulted in much public debate and concern. This investigation took almost ten years and cost about €13.6 million. It found evidence of financial abuse and a serious lack of oversight by the South-Eastern Health Board and the HSE. However, the report did not find clear evidence of physical or sexual abuse,...

Europe Day: Statements (7 May 2025)

Michael Collins: Europe, like Ireland, is a hugely different place from what it was in the 1970s. While we are here making statements on Europe Day, fishermen in this country would like a statement on what they have described as the "true picture of the alarming current state of the Irish fishing industry under EU 'management'". It states: - 60,000 - the volume of blue whiting quota the Irish pelagic...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 May 2025)

Michael Collins: For the past five weeks or so I have been looking for a debate on agriculture weeks relating to the ACRE payments. There are 9,000 farmers waiting for their payments in respect of 2023 and 2024. Some 2,000 have not received payments for 2023. We also have a crisis with tuberculosis, TB, which is costing farmers €150 million with the highest rates of TB since 2003, up 36%. We also...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (7 May 2025)

Michael Collins: 367. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason SCEP payments are on hold; when payments will recommence; and the length of time before all 2024 payments are complete. [22360/25]

Final Draft Revised National Planning Framework: Motion (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: We are here today to discuss the final draft of the revised national planning framework, a crucial step towards Ireland's sustainable future. It is imperative that we address the acute infrastructure challenges in the areas of housing and transport. West Cork suffers from inadequate sewerage systems, particularly in areas like Dunmanway, Goleen, Shannonvale, Rosscarbery and Ballydehob....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Yes. I wrote to the Central Bank two weeks ago and I have heard nothing back since. There are legal cases being taken at the moment. The fraud squad is also involved. When I raised this question in the Dáil the last time, the fraud squad contacted people immediately afterwards. I sent the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance two sample cases this morning. I respect that the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: A few weeks ago, I raised with the Taoiseach some scandalous transactions by a number of financial advisers that have led to genuine investors getting stung for millions. Since raising this issue, I have been contacted by numerous people who have had their honest savings robbed. The last time I spoke on this, I knew of around ten people who were affected. Now, I have at least 60 people who...

Special Education: Motion [Private Members] (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: This motion highlights real failures in special education, and Independent Ireland says it is long overdue. We agree that too many children have been left without places. That is not just a statistic; it is heartbreak in every community. We have said loudly before that a national plan for special education is needed rather than sticking plasters. We support Labour's call for a centralised...