Results 901-920 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: Figures recently published by the EU show Ireland that, together with Slovakia, have the joint lowest rates for operations to remove cataracts. Both countries perform an average of two cataract operations per 1,000 individuals each year. In total, 4.5 million cataract operations were performed in the EU. The Irish College of Ophthalmologists which represents more than 200 eye doctors,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: What about cataract operations?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: Hear, hear.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: On page 46 of A Programme for a Partnership Government, under road investment, the Government promised to increase the budget for local and regional roads by 50% in the years ahead. Almost three years after A Programme for a Partnership Government was commenced, the conditions of many of our local and regional roads are appalling. In west Cork, we are continuously fire-fighting with our...

Juvenile Crime: Motion [Private Members] (30 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: I am aware juvenile crime continues to be a major problem in Ireland. Roughly one in ten offences is committed by children. I say with my hand on my heart that in my constituency of west Cork youth crime is not the issue it is in other parts of the country. I do not shy away from the fact that in some towns and villages and various areas of west Cork, we have a certain level of youth...

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: The Government has told us at length about the importance of the rainy day fund. It is more important to know exactly who will benefit from this fund when the time comes. The official statement on the Bill stated that a drawdown from the fund can be made if the Minister is satisfied on reasonable grounds, with evidence and expert analysis, that it is necessary in the event of a severe...

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: I am sharing time with Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. I welcome some of the changes to the Local Government (Rates) Bill because it is vital that our local businesses are supported in a positive manner that will allow them to continue to operate. It is high time that we finally see this Government shake up its act and start taking steps to support hard-working, self-employed people running their...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (31 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: In A Programme for a Partnership Government, the section on agriculture and the marine begins on page 112 and it goes on until page 124. Agriculture and the marine are in one Department with one Minister in charge of it. I am not being critical of the Minister but with Brexit coming, be it hard or soft, agriculture needs a strong, stand-alone Minister as do the fisheries, preferably a...

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Statements (31 Jan 2019)

Michael Collins: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this issue. We do not dedicate enough time to this very important issue, which is almost pushed under the carpet despite the serious issues that exist in our mental health services. The mental health service for children and adolescents falls short of what is needed and is failing young people and their families. We have got to a place where,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: It is the biggest scandal in the country.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: We told the Government about this on 30 March.

JobPath Programme: Motion [Private Members] (5 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: I welcome this motion and commend Sinn Féin on putting it forward. I have great doubts, however, that anything will be done about the issues many Deputies have raised tonight. I am afraid this will all fall on deaf ears, as has happened before. However, I hope that will not happen tonight. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, has hailed...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: And west Cork.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: I was there to witness it. West Cork and Kerry are also affected.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: On page 66 of A Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government promises to implement new procedures to ensure the more efficient and timely recruitment of nurses but we now have a major problem with their recruitment and retention. I am not surprised. First-time nurses must be paid the same as other university graduates. The conditions that our nurses work under are unacceptable,...

Children's Rights: Motion [Private Members] (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: I wish to share time with my Rural Independent Group colleagues.

Children's Rights: Motion [Private Members] (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: How does the Government think children in Ireland today are getting a fair start to their lives? It is far from a fair start they are getting. From the number of homeless children to the long waiting lists for children's hospital and consultant appointments and the lack of adequate special needs assistants, SNAs, and resources, how can the Government think it is doing well by children...

Children's Rights: Motion [Private Members] (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: The truth hurts.

National Cervical Screening Programme: Statements (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: The Minister told the Dáil that 4,600 women would need to be tested again, as opposed to the original figure of 6,000. While this slightly lower figure might be spun as good news by him, it is in no way good news or a comfort for the 4,600 women who have to be retested. The Minister stated the vast majority of the 4,600 had been contacted, but the "vast majority" is not enough. Even...

National Cervical Screening Programme: Statements (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Collins: The CervicalCheck crisis needs to end now and we need to give the women of Ireland the reassurance they deserve.