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

Shortage of Teachers: Motion [Private Members] (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: Shortages of teachers at primary and secondary level are alarming considering the trust we put in them to educate our children. I am on a board of management and see first hand the difficulties faced by our excellent principal in Schull, Diarmuid Duggan, in securing substitute teachers. I have been told that many schools throughout west Cork - this is probably replicated across the country -...

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this issue of great importance this evening. The eighth amendment of the Constitution recognises the equal right to life of both the mother and the unborn child in the womb; and it creates a legal right to protect that unborn child, as far as practicable. I believe that it has saved thousands of lives since it was introduced in 1983. I appreciate that...

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: In page 122 of the programme for Government, which deals with seafood and the marine, the Government committed itself to the development of the inshore fisheries sector. In Bantry, there is a proposal to harvest mechanically 1,860 acres of sea water, which not only has the potential to be an environmental disaster but also puts the livelihood of 50 inshore fishermen at risk. This Government...

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: The Minister could revoke that licence if he wanted to.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2018: Motion (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: Yes. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I wish to raise a number of issues under these proposed regulations or rather, other issues relating to planning and development regulations that are not addressed by this document but have been passed on to the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government. I agree at the outset about over-the-shop living. I fought strongly for it...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2018: Motion (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: I know that. What I am saying is that Deputy English was not to blame. I will say this. Under section 12(2), he can revoke the licence with no financial implications to the Government. I will say this to the Minister of State before I conclude. There is a public meeting to which Deputy English has been invited on Sunday next and perhaps he can relay his message or some of the Deputies...

Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: I believe I am. I thought I had five minutes and ten minutes for Deputy Mattie McGrath. Am I correct?

Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: Before I start I must admit a conflict of interest. I have two brothers who run public houses in Bantry and Bandon so it is only right that I admit to a conflict of interest. I have a daughter who works in two bars in west Cork in Durrus and Kilcrohane. I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak on this important debate. I find it a bit strange because it looks as though the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: 87. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the join family D visa application process; the criteria that must be met (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3861/18]

Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: Page 121 of the programme for Government relates to trade negotiations. I, along with other rural Deputies, have raised serious concerns about a potential Mercosur trade deal, which could have serious negative effects on the beef producers and public health due to the lack of proper standards and traceability of this beef coming into the EU. Negotiations are ongoing this week regarding this...

Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (30 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this important motion. In A Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government made a promise: "Providing affordable, quality and accessible housing for our people is a priority for the New Partnership Government." In fact, this is the very first line under the general vow to end the housing shortage and homelessness. It is sad to say that the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harrier Programme: Discussion (30 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: I thank the Chairman for allowing me to speak this evening. Like my colleagues, I welcome everyone here and in the audiovisual room. It is probably not a major issue for the constituency I represent in south-west Cork but I am a farmer and I stand by my fellow farmers regardless of where they come from or what is the issue. I have a few questions but I will not keep the witnesses too long....

Questions on Promised Legislation (31 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: Page 112 of the programme for Government addresses the agrifood sector. In the light of the recent revelations published by The Irish Fieldexposing the practice whereby the Irish Horse Board changed the status of equine passports to have equines excluded from the food chain declared fit for consumption simply by placing a label over the stamp "Not fit for human consumption", can the...

Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (31 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: I am very grateful to have the opportunity to speak to this important Bill and commend my colleagues in the Labour Party for bringing it forward. It aims to update and reform the criminal law in a technology neutral way as it applies to online and offline communications. These recommendations came from the Law Reform Commission's detailed report entitled, Harmful Communications and Digital...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Pobal: Review of Past Performance, Current Issues and Future Strategies (31 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: I welcome Mr. Leamy and Mr. Murphy. Having been involved in many boards and committees on a voluntary basis, I would have liked an opportunity to review the 23 programmes being rolled out by Pobal because I would be able to connect to many of them. Some years ago, a new social inclusion programme was introduced which focused initially on farmers and fishermen. It subsequently changed,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Pobal: Review of Past Performance, Current Issues and Future Strategies (31 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Pobal: Review of Past Performance, Current Issues and Future Strategies (31 Jan 2018)

Michael Collins: On that basis, we lost a specific worker. There is a huge terrain of countryside in south-west Cork and at that time we lost our worker who was specifically dealing with low-income farmers and low-income fishermen. He was moved on to do some other job that did not relate to any issue of great concern to the people of west Cork. Unfortunately, we lost that worker. It was a huge loss to...

Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: On page 101 of the programme for Government, under the heading "Crime Prevention, Justice and Equality", there is a promise on the part of the Government to launch a pilot scheme to reopen six Garda stations in urban and rural areas. One of these Garda stations is in Ballinspittle in west Cork. When can we expect the Ballinspittle Garda station to be reopened? It is in a coastal area that...

National Broadband Plan: Motion [Private Members] (6 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to this important motion. However, I have yet to be convinced that it will help to have broadband provided in rural Ireland any more speedily. Areas in which there is an efficient broadband service in my constituency of Cork South-West are few and far between. Before I continue, I acknowledge and thank the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, for...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: On January 17, the Taoiseach spoke in the European Parliament. Following his speech, he faced questions from the leader of the Greens-European Free Alliance, Philippe Lamberts, who told him that Ireland was the worst country for tackling climate change in Europe and was very likely to miss its 2020 targets, which might potentially cost this State €400 million. In reply to his...