Results 541-560 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Order of Business (1 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Pages 50 and 51 of the programme for Government state that: "We will establish a working group to identify the potential for local post offices to act as 'hubs' to facilitate other services such as health and transport, and a one-stop-shop for all Government services." Even community banking and handling car tax were proposed as a major step to save our post offices. More than two years...

Order of Business (1 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Yes, indeed. I called to Bridie yesterday evening. The passion she showed in wanting to keep her door open to the community is astounding to say the least. Over recent days, I have heard crocodile tears coming from Government Deputies going to these postmasters and postmistresses when these same Deputies have failed to implement the programme for Government. Will the Taoiseach stand idly...

National Cervical Screening Programme: Statements (1 May 2018)

Michael Collins: It saddens me to be here tonight talking on this issue but it is vital we learn from the mistakes that have been made. Last week we saw a brave woman, Vicky Phelan, who has been diagnosed as being terminally ill with cervical cancer being dragged through the courts to fight for her right to get the truth. Vicky Phelan had a smear test in 2011 that showed no abnormalities. While a later...

Questions on Promised Legislation (2 May 2018)

Michael Collins: On page 113 of the programme for Government under the agriculture and the marine heading, the Government promises to work with the banking sector to make banking affordable for farmers. Banks, such as AIB and Permanent TSB, are announcing the potential sale of loans to vulture funds. That could potentially result in householders, farmers and business people losing their property. As the...

Mental Health Parity Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (2 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I am happy to speak on this Bill and I thank Deputy Browne for bring it forward, as I believe mental health is an area in Ireland that has been neglected. According to the Healthy Ireland survey 2015, 10% of the Irish population over the age of 15 have a probable mental health problem at any one time. Everyone has somebody in his or her life who has an issue with mental health, whether it...

Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (2 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I appreciate the opportunity to speak to the amendment regarding local authorities and the issue which led to the amendment. I am happy to have another opportunity to speak to the Bill. I spoke on it in November of last year. It is very important and addresses a variety of anti-corruption measures on national and international levels. The legislation is necessary to aid in the elimination...

Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I am very happy to have the opportunity to speak on the Bill and the amendments thereto. It addresses many matters of importance. It deals with very sensitive matters and I commiserate with anyone who has lost a loved one in a road tragedy. I have encountered many families so affected in my work and have seen the devastating effects road deaths have on families and communities. In the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (3 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Page 118 of the programme for Government contains a commitment to invest €15 million in island communities. Bere Island off Castletownbere has over 200 permanent residents and is visited by many more holidaymakers. A permanent, registered HSE general nurse has been working on the island, but in recent times this nurse has been taken from the island to the mainland on various days to...

Questions on Promised Legislation (3 May 2018)

Michael Collins: This leaves many on the island without a service. This is a very worrying time for the residents who fear that this is the beginning of a withdrawal of the service. Will the Tánaiste assure the people of Bere Island that this will not happen?

Radiological Protection (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Everyone is aware of the danger of high levels of radon. The Minister mentioned a pilot scheme. Perhaps every politician representing a constituency could speak on high levels of cancer in their own communities. I have always felt there is a high level of cancer, particularly lung cancer, in west Cork. The fact radon gas is thought to be the second most prevalent cause of lung cancer...

Health Service Reform: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I want to thank Máirín McGrath in Deputy Mattie McGrath's office and Deputy Michael Harty for their work on the motion. I stand to talk on health service reform but, in fact, I could be standing here a year from now and will we have a reformed health service? The programme for Government promised the most fundamental reform of our health service in the history of the State....

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Business of Select Committee (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Apologies have been received from Deputy Canney who will join us later. Deputy Tony McLoughlin is standing in for Deputy Canney. I ask members to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound system and the broadcasting of the meeting. In accordance with the standard procedures agreed by the Committee on Procedure for paperless committees, all documentation has been...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: The principal purpose of the Bill is to amend the Heritage Act 1995 on foot of the report of the critical review of the Heritage Council, to make provision for the regulation of cutting or burning of vegetation and to provide for clarification of the powers of authorised officers under the Wildlife Acts. The Bill also makes provision to amend the Canals Act 1986 to provide enabling...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Amendments Nos. 20 to 23, inclusive, and 33 are related and may be discussed together.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I am sorry, but does someone have a phone turned on?

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: A phone is interfering with the system.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Yes.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I will ask the Deputy later whether he wants to press his amendment. If that is all right, I will give the final comment to the Minister.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Yes. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae indicated earlier and I suggest we allow him to make a brief comment first.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Is Deputy Danny Healy-Rae moving amendment No. 22?