Results 3,381-3,400 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

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?

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]

Statutory Home Care: Statements (27 Jun 2024)

Michael Collins: The programme for Government has pledged to introduce a statutory scheme to support people to live in their own homes, providing equitable access to high-quality, regulated home care. This commitment is crucial, especially for our elderly population who often prefer to age in the comfort of their own homes. The Department of Health is responsible for developing the regulatory framework for...

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...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2024)

Michael Collins: Shannonvale is a picturesque community with considerable potential outside Clonakilty, but for 26 years, it has been left abandoned by the State. It has an appalling sewage overflow crisis. Today, a local councillor, Mr. Daniel Sexton, visited the area and told me that the local playground was closed and locked off to the public due to raw sewage on the ground. There is a stinking...

Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 Jul 2024)

Michael Collins: The Bill proposes to amend a number of Acts to facilitate some of the following changes: increase the fine payable by carriers where they allow a person to board a flight or ferry destined for the State without the proper documentation and amend the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 to increase the maximum penalties applicable on conviction on indictment for four knife-related offences...

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Jul 2024)

Michael Collins: It is a significant undertaking to complete the leaving certificate examination and achieve the requisite points for one's desired third level course. That is before we consider the financial burden associated with pursuing higher education. Securing affordable accommodation presents an entirely different set of challenges. This issue, which we witness escalating annually across the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (2 Jul 2024)

Michael Collins: 394. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the funding and subsequent introduction of a model of care for sufferers of hereditary amyloidosis, which was approved in October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27850/24]

Gender-Based Violence: Motion [Private Members] (3 Jul 2024)

Michael Collins: In recent years, there has been a big rise in the number of abuse cases against women and children in Ireland. This shows that we urgently need to make big changes in the criminal justice system to deal with this problem. People have been upset by some recent decisions about punishments for people found guilty of violence against women and other violent crimes. The Natasha O'Brien case...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2024)

Michael Collins: The horticulture industry was worth an estimated €566 million in 2023. The industry covers a broad and diverse range, including mushrooms, potatoes, field crops, protected fruit and vegetables, outdoor soft and top fruit, hardy nursery stock, protected crops, Christmas trees, cut foliage, outdoor flowers, bulbs and turf grass. However, Ireland imports approximately 85% of our fruit...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2024)

Michael Collins: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. He says we may have different data and that is maybe something we can engage on. I look forward to engaging with him on this issue. However, he should remember one thing. The course deadline for applicants is September. A decision seems to have been made between March and June by the ETB, with little or no consultation with the people on the ground....

Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (3 Jul 2024)

Michael Collins: I respect the fact the Minister of State inherited the fair deal scheme, but it can cause great difficulties within families. I respect that she is trying to make changes to it and I am not here to over-criticise. I have watched people go into beautiful community hospitals. We have many stunning community hospitals and nursing homes in my constituency. People have told me that it is...