Results 421-440 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: On page 50 of the programme for Government, concerning rural development and the saving of post offices, only a few weeks ago the postmaster in Ballineen post office passed away, sadly. Within a couple of weeks-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: Yes. It is in the programme for Government, on page 50. Within a couple of weeks, An Post publicised the closure of this post office, which would affect the people of Ballineen and the surrounding area. If it is shut, it will be a disaster for the town. Can the Government intervene to save this post office?

Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: No. This is the one that is closing.

Dublin Traffic: Motion [Private Members] (20 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: I am happy to have the opportunity to speak on this motion tonight. Last week I spoke on transport and road networks throughout the country and highlighted the investment inequality in transport between the greater Dublin area and rural Ireland, making particular reference to the N71 in my constituency of Cork South-West, the unfinished Bandon bypass, congestion in Innishannon on the main...

Dublin Traffic: Motion [Private Members] (20 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: I do, but there is a whole point-----

Dublin Traffic: Motion [Private Members] (20 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: It is and I have dedicated most of this speech to Dublin but I need to keep reminding the Minister that there is a west Cork there. I need him to look further at it. I am calling on the Minister and the National Roads Authority to re-evaluate their priorities and focus investment into Dublin traffic issues more, so we do not see further waste of resources, but also to get over the...

Dublin Traffic: Motion [Private Members] (20 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: She holidays in west Cork.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (20 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: 416. To ask the Minister for Health if full medical cards will be granted to all organ-transplant patients (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8776/18]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (20 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: 513. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of youth workers funded in south west County Cork; the way in which this number compares proportionally with the number of youth workers employed throughout the rest of the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8774/18]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Services Funding (20 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: 514. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to rectify the situation of the under provision of youth workers by establishing and resourcing a dedicated west County Cork youth service and providing resources for this new entity to commence delivery of service at a level on a par with services in other counties (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: On page 42 of the programme for Government, under jobs and rural development, it was agreed that the Government would increase the numbers on the rural social scheme, which was set up to assist low income farmers and fishermen. The Government delivered 500 places in 2016, which has to be commended. On the downside, the biggest area, west Cork, was allocated only 11 of those places. An...

Supporting the Suckling Sector: Motion [Private Members] (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: I am happy to speak on the motion and I want to commend the Deputies in Fianna Fáil for bringing it forward. I have to admit I have a conflict of interest as I am a suckler cow farmer. Going back many years, when I took over the running of the farm, a wise neighbour told me, "Remember one thing, Collins, farming is from the shoulders up, and not down." My God, was that man ever so...

Leaders' Questions (22 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: During discussions on the formation of a Government two years ago and on the programme for Government, many promises were made in the area of education, one being equal pay for teachers, which we have yet to see delivered but this is not the subject I will speak on today. On page 92, the programme for Government states "We are committed to delivering a school capital investment programme for...

Leaders' Questions (22 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister. That is very positive news because this issue has been going on for quite some time. I am always a bit reluctant to raise local issues at Leader's Questions but I have been aware of this imminent crisis in Bandon for many months and held back on going public in the hope that we could resolve it behind the scenes. On 7 March last I first raised this in the Dáil...

Project Ireland 2040: Statements (Resumed) (22 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: I am happy to speak on this report. There has been lots of hype about the Project Ireland 2040 plan in the media since its launch last Friday. Perhaps we should refer to its incredible launch last Friday. Who paid for that? We will not go there. I am not as enthusiastic about the report however. In fact, I could even say that, to me, the most relevant piece of the 170-page document is a...

Project Ireland 2040: Statements (Resumed) (22 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: At the outset, the report speaks inspiringly about the Government's vision for Ireland in 2040. From there on however, the chapters I have been able to read are pretty disappointing. I note that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, has highlighted the benefits, or so-called benefits, that the plan has for Cork. These are only relevant to Cork city. Consider...

Project Ireland 2040: Statements (Resumed) (22 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: It does not look like it. This promise was made to the people of rural Ireland after the Government was hammered in the election. It said it would rural-proof policies going forward. This plan has not been rural-proofed. If it has been, the Government would need to reduce of the pay of the person who did so because he did not carry out his duty.

Project Ireland 2040: Statements (Resumed) (22 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: The exit of the UK for Europe is a huge worry for the people of rural Ireland and the plan has not taken that into account. The CAP budget will be cut, most likely by millions of euro, which will be another attack on rural Ireland. That budget funds much of the progress in rural Ireland. The Leader programme collapsed while the Government sat idly by. That money was for rural development...

Order of Business (27 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: In the programme for Government it states on page 82 that the new Government will fund the expansion of youth services and support early school leavers to find employment. In a recent reply to a parliamentary question the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, said there are 1,400 youth workers in Ireland. However, there are only five youth workers in Cork South-West - in...

Motor Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (27 Feb 2018)

Michael Collins: I am happy to bring forward this motion along with my colleagues in the Rural Independent Group. I wish to reiterate all the points they have been raised. I am greatly frustrated that nobody is listening - the Minister of State is not here now either. Since I was elected to Dáil Éireann, the issue of insurance has been brought up repeatedly, but absolutely nothing has been...