Results 581-600 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Mandatory Open Disclosure: Motion (15 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on mandatory open disclosures in health service provision. I support mandatory open disclosure as a central part of the health service. The rights of patients or service users have to come first. When a person attends a health facility to receive care of any kind, that person expects a safe outcome. To be fair, most health workers at all levels do their...

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 May 2018)

Michael Collins: On page 59 of the programme for Government is a commitment to update the national eye care plan. A report released today by the Association of Optometrists Ireland confirms that the average waiting time for cataract surgery is 28 months and up to five years in areas like west Cork. It is more than two years since the Government promised to tackle the issue. Were it not for the cross-Border...

Data Protection Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 May 2018)

Michael Collins: 4 o’clock I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on the eagerly awaited Data Protection Bill 2018. The Bill incorporates Ireland's national implementation measures required under the GDPR and creates a new regulatory framework for the enforcement of data protection laws in Ireland. The digital age of consent has been the subject of considerable debate in the Oireachtas....

Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (16 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I have spoken in this Chamber many times about the current housing crisis. We need to relieve pressure from people who fear homelessness. I plead with the Minister to take solid action. With a staggering number of children living either on our streets or in emergency accommodation, it is important that we make provisions to protect...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Review of Programmes of the Department of Rural and Community Development: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister for his report. The amount of money available for SICAP is good. I am pleased with what has been given. I was involved in a development partnership group some years ago and remember that SICAP helped people with financial difficulties. There was also a small farmers programme at the time and it was extremely successful. Sadly, the last time funding was given - I hope...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Review of Programmes of the Department of Rural and Community Development: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Michael Collins: While I recognise that some regulations must be in place I question where they are going. They have gone way over the top here. It is a heavy-handed set-up. That does not mean people are being over-rude as such. One is not talking to anybody but one gets a letter. I was given a letter the other day from a community voluntary organisation in which the organisation was told it did not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Review of Programmes of the Department of Rural and Community Development: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Michael Collins: There are two things I mentioned when I spoke a few minutes ago. I hope that we might achieve something today. The Minister might be able to help us on this. The threatening letters being sent out to voluntary organisations need to stop. They mention €300,000 and jailing. Obviously people need to comply but there needs to be an understanding that community voluntary organisations...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Review of Programmes of the Department of Rural and Community Development: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I discussed the letter with members of the organisation in question in the audiovisual room. They said there was money from organisations that had very elderly people. They said it was over, they were finished and to take it back. I would like to know where that money has gone. It did not go back to the community it came from. Is it held until future decisions are made? We will see. In...

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Michael Collins: In the programme for Government negotiations over two years ago, much of the discussion centred around rural Ireland and the losses of services that left a trail of devastation in rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, in particular, in west Cork. Immediately after votes here in the Dáil today, I will return to Ballydehob in west Cork for a public meeting to save the local post...

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Michael Collins: It is.

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Michael Collins: The Tánaiste does not seem to grasp the seriousness of the situation for people in rural Ireland. He should not stand up here and talk about what the Government is doing for people with cataract operations. For God's sake, let him stop. It is scandalous beyond belief to see the report yesterday of someone five years waiting. The Government let him go blind rather than doing...

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Michael Collins: It is all done by stealth.

Questions on Promised Legislation (17 May 2018)

Michael Collins: The programme for Government states, "We will set out capitation rates to schools on a rolling 3-year basis, allowing for forward planning." The reality is that capitation grants were cut from €200 per child to €170 by the former Government, a cut of 15%. As a result, most primary schools are relying on fundraising by parents to make up the shortfall in funding. I know this...

Order of Business (22 May 2018)

Michael Collins: On page 121 of the programme for Government, under trade negotiations, the Government promised to ensure our national interests are protected in any future trade deal discussions, with particular focus on beef and food safety standards. A group of MEPs on an inspection visit to Brazil found that country does not have the same traceability standards for beef as EU producers. Records are only...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Regarding the appointment of judges, this decision, from what I can gather, was made previously by Governments. I happen to agree fully with Deputy Barrett. He is an experienced politician and what he had to say certainly warrants full listening to. I was interested to hear it. I had this discussion with the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport many months ago when he was doing...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I appreciate the Minister trying to clarify, but it changes nothing. The fact is, as I said earlier, it will be a commission set up by the Government of the day and instead of the Government making the decision, it will be setting up a new quango of some sort. Who will pay for all this? What will this cost the State? It could be quite frightening. Irrespective of whether it is the HSE or...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Sorry, hockey.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Michael Collins: If we put in an application for a hockey club in south-west Cork, I do not think we would get €180,000. It is questionable as to what is going on in the Minister's Department. Perhaps the Minister for Justice and Equality might be able to enlighten us.

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 May 2018)

Michael Collins: The programme for Government, when dealing with tourism, on page 47 states: "We will work towards achieving the ambitious tourism policy goals set for 2025." In a beautiful area of west Cork, Castlefreke, near Rosscarbery, there is a vibrant community that has promoted tourism for many years. As the Taoiseach is probably aware, the community has been a top award winner in the national Tidy...

European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2018: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (23 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I start by thanking Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher for putting forward this motion, which is hugely important to the constituency I represent in Cork South-West, where fishermen put their lives at risk on a daily basis from Castletownbere right down into Bantry and Schull. These were once mighty ports with mighty fishing vessels coming out of them, all the way down to Unionhall and Kinsale....