Results 81-100 of 3,370 for speaker:Michael Collins

Public Sector Pay: Motion [Private Members] (8 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: I commend Sinn Féin on bringing forth this motion, which I fully support. For Deputies to take a pay rise at this time is totally wrong and unacceptable. It is totally unjust that those on social welfare payments will be getting an extra €260 per annum while Deputies will get a €2,700 increase this year and next year. If, following the vote this Thursday, this motion is...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Health Insurance Regulation (8 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: 109. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will investigate the cancellation of an insurance company's critical illness policy (details supplied); and if he will put supports in place for those who have lost their cover. [33650/16]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Eligibility (8 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: 118. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will extend the incentives for first time buyers announced in budget 2017 to apply to both the purchase of new and second hand houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33598/16]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed). (9 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: I thank the witnesses for their attendance. I have a few questions and will start with AIB. I am a customer myself with AIB. Whether that is a conflict of interest when I ask questions I do not know. I must start on a negative with regard to AIB. I live in a peninsula in west Cork where AIB had branches in Ballydehob and in Schull, both of which have been closed. The nearest branch for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed). (9 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: I thank the witnesses for their attendance. They opened up and discussed many interesting points. I come from a rural constituency in west Cork. Earlier, I spoke about the banks. We have lost two of our banks, which resulted in a major shop in our town closing within a year. This shows the knock-on effect it has. It has a severe effect on the town. People are shopping in the bigger...

Post Office Network: Motion [Private Members] (16 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: For the past 300 years the post office network has been an integral element of Irish society. It has been at the forefront of economic and social activity in towns and villages across the country. With over 1,150 post offices nationwide, An Post is a huge resource which needs to be further utilised. The post office network provides a large range of services. As well as the standard postal...

Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: I fully support the need for women always to receive factual information when receiving counselling in a crisis pregnancy situation. I do not believe there is a single person in this House who would disagree with that. However, I have to raise concerns about the motivation behind the legislation being put forward today. The proposed legislation cannot be discussed without looking at the...

Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: Let us be very clear. That is what is happening here today and I regret to have to say it. Even at this late stage, I call on the Minister for Health to condemn what the IFPA has done and to call on it to provide a full explanation for its wrongdoings. Failure to do so leaves the Minister open to the charges of bias and double standards.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (22 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: 372. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will reverse some of the cuts in funding to the Irish language and Gaeltacht authorities since 2018 (details supplied). [35821/16]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: I thank the Meath, Kildare, Fingal and Monaghan partnerships for being with us today. In fairness, it is difficult to be questioned on numerous issues, but at least they showed up. We have asked the Minister for rural affairs to come before the committee for the past five weeks. She has failed to show up and has refused to turn up to answer questions on the Leader programme. This in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: I welcome all the various organisations here today. I will start with Irish Rural Link. I come from the community voluntary sector and have been involved in community organisations all my life. Irish Rural Link often came to us on different issues along with Muintir na Tíre and other organisations to fight for the smaller people in society. Last week, Deputy Healy-Rae and I attended...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: I spoke yesterday about Leader groups. My worry for Forum Connemara is that it has been good and a success. What happened to West Cork Development Partnership? It was a success and delivered. It was kicked out the door after 20 years. The mindset of the Government and the previous one involved getting rid of good community partnerships. I am very angry about that. Forum Connemara has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: I welcome the witnesses from the ICA, the Irish Men's Sheds Association and Macra na Feirme. They made very interesting points in their presentations. There was very little with which I could disagree but I would welcome elaboration on some points. The ICA spoke about Garda stations, post offices, banks and rural broadband. I come from a community where there is a strong ICA group on the...

Topical Issue Debate: Tillage Sector (24 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: I acknowledge Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony's input on this issue. I had intended to share time with the Deputy but she had another commitment this evening and was unable to come to the House. Grain farmers are going through one of the most difficult periods experienced on family farms in many decades and farm incomes are at an all-time low. I have spoken at length with some members...

Topical Issue Debate: Tillage Sector (24 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The problem is that these farmers need immediate financial compensation. They are facing ruination. I have met them and the Minister of State probably has too in his constituency. Loan support at this time is not what they are looking for, as it will only create a further problem down the road for them. Tax breaks are not a solution to this...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Company Law (24 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: 153. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a person with an ongoing complaint with the ODCE wishes to view their documents can request authorisation to be provided with them from the Minister for Finance under section 792 of the Companies Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36705/16]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (24 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: 202. To ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify the position of vaccination contracts for general practitioners here (details supplied). [36756/16]

Flood Insurance Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (29 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: I start by commending Fianna Fáil on bringing this Bill forward in consultation with the Irish National Flood Forum, INFF. The INFF is a voluntary national organisation founded in 2011 in my constituency in Skibbereen, west Cork. I have seen first-hand time and again the trauma caused to businesses and families by flooding. Last year, more than 30 towns and villages experienced major...

Flood Insurance Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (29 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: The people of Bandon are here tonight to thank the Minister of State for his efforts in alleviating a major worry that could have been in front of them again this winter. This Bill will give home and land owners in areas vulnerable to flooding the opportunity to insure their properties. I wish to offer my full support to this Bill and I urge others Members of the House to support it too.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Cereal Sector (30 Nov 2016)

Michael Collins: 30. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken in assisting to procure emergency aid from Europe for tillage farmers badly effected by weather in 2016; if he supported farming organisations that have made a case to Brussels to press for EU aid packages; and if so, the details of same. [37662/16]