Results 3,521-3,540 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (5 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: 968. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will consider a number of points raised (details supplied) in relation to the sale of a property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2739/25]

Government’s Response to Storm Éowyn: Statements (Resumed) (6 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: I extend my sincere gratitude to the Irish and international workers for their tremendous efforts to date. I am fully aware of the hardships faced by many, especially in the west and parts of the midlands. I happened to be in Whitehall and Castlebrock, Longford, over the weekend and witnessed the extensive damage at first hand, with trees lying across roads and houses with large trees...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (6 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: 35. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to expedite a driving test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3800/25]

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: We in Independent Ireland would like a discussion on the new speed limits that are causing serious concerns all over the country. They went down from 80 km/h to 60 km/h on the local routes, which most people accepted, but now we are being told that speed limits on regional routes, which are the main routes into a lot of a our constituencies, are going from 100 km/h to 80 km/h and from 80...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Safety (12 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: I congratulate the Minister of State on his appointment. Speed limits have been reduced on many roads in the past week. All these roads were deemed local roads and most people I have spoken to have no issue in the wide, earthly world with that. Where I am living, one of the roads had a limit of 80 km/h but motorists could not do 80 km/h unless they were out of their minds. The best they...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Safety (12 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister of State. He said this decision was delayed and we know why. It was because a general election was coming. It is a hugely unpopular decision about our regional and national roads. Our councillors made queries about local roads and were told that it was basically dictated from the top. That is what the Independent Ireland councillors were told when they raised...

Programme for Government: Statements (Resumed) (12 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: On the programme for Government, I listened with interest to the Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, saying the reason we would not go into Government with Independent Ireland was our climate plan. I am amazed that he went into Government with Independents who had no policies put in place. That is astonishing. It looks like they wrote them on the back of an A4 page a couple of days...

Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (12 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: I will beg the indulgence of the Ceann Comhairle to welcome Ryan McKeowan and Zoe Bell to the Gallery. In 2025, super junior Ministers in Ireland receive a total annual salary package of approximately €200,000. Junior Ministers have an additional ministerial salary of €45,846. There is a super junior allowance of €16,000 and an additional travel allowance worth up...

Road Safety: Statements (13 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: I have often raised the issue of speed limits this week. I was on two radio programmes this morning explaining the situation and the crisis we in west Cork find ourselves in. There are so many roads, including local roads, and we did not have an issue. There will always be someone complaining. We accept that many of the speed limits had to move from 80 km/h to 60 km/h. I sympathise with...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: We will have a debate on Thursday about the importance of agrifood to the Irish economy and I call for an extension of time on that debate. Some Deputies will only have one minute 35 seconds to discuss this. We have a lot of issues relating to agriculture that need to be discussed, especially the highest level of TB in a generation in this country - it has gone up 44%. Irish agriculture is...

Mental Health: Statements (18 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: I welcome both Ministers of State to their positions and wish them the very best. One of the most significant criticisms concerns the persistent underdevelopment of mental health infrastructure. While the Government has announced initiatives such as the expansion of child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, and the development of new specialist teams, the reality on the ground...

Provision of Special Education: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: I congratulate both Ministers on their new positions and wish them the best. There are nowhere near enough special school places or classes in west Cork in my constituency. In cases where teachers suspect a child may have autism, there is a wait of 27 months to get an assessment. This is a serious issue for families who are left in limbo for 27 or even 28 months. Imagine that. We find...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: 249. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to review the case of a person (details supplied) with a pending visa renewal. [5275/25]

Maximising Artificial Intelligence: Statements (19 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: I welcome the Minister of State to her new position. I wish her the very best of luck. Artificial intelligence is no longer a concept for the future. It is here and it is already transforming businesses across every sector. From automating routine tasks to analysing vast amounts of data in seconds, AI is driving efficiency, reducing costs and enabling businesses to innovate like never...

Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (19 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: First, I congratulate the Minister of State on his new brief. It is the first time I have had the opportunity to do so in the Dáil. I wish him the best. When he held a ministerial role previously, we worked together very closely and I hope we can again work closely together on issues going forward. I have serious concerns with this Bill going forward. Lessons have not been...

Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (19 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: In his reply, the Minister of State did not refer to the Whiddy Island disaster in any way, shape or form. I agree fully with Deputy Mac Lochlainn and I ask the Minister of State to consider meeting Michael Kingston, who is in the Public Gallery, at his earliest convenience to discuss the work he has been doing down through the years regarding Whiddy Island and other merchant shipping...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Development (20 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: 4. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide details of the employment opportunities created by his Department since 2024 in Cork South-West, specifically in the areas of Beara, Mizen Head, Sheep’s Head, Bandon, Dunmanway, Skibbereen, Drimoleague, Clonakilty, and Kinsale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7073/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Development (20 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: Will the Minister of State provide detailed information on the employment opportunities created by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment since 2024 in Cork South-West, specifically in areas such as the Beara Peninsula, Mizen Head Peninsula, Sheep's Head Peninsula and areas from Inishannon to Bantry? It is important that we create and are seen to be creating good jobs there for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Development (20 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister of State. I failed to welcome her to her new role when I spoke earlier. I wish her the very best of luck going forward. I was very specific in my question. I have raised the same question with the Minister of State's predecessor in the Dáil before, and I received a lot of answers but they were not specific to these places. I am very concerned, especially...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Development (20 Feb 2025)

Michael Collins: I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could come back on that. Obviously employment is good no matter where it is. I know there are massive employers in Cork city such as Apple, the pharmaceutical companies and others. They are second to none and are to be always welcomed and secured. Many people are spending two hours in a car going up to Cork every morning to work and coming...