Results 1,121-1,140 of 11,842 for speaker:Niall Collins

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: The truth is that there is only one Minister in attendance. To their credit, there are also a number of Government backbenchers.

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: Yes, the Chief Whip. We have no Order of Business, Leaders' Questions, questions to a Minister, votes or Topical Issues and one can only raise a point of order with great difficulty. We suspended twice even before we got the show on the road this morning. It costs €90,000 to hold a three-hour sham sitting. This figure was provided to the Committee of Public Accounts yesterday.

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: It is a disgrace and an indictment of the Government. If we are to have Friday sittings, have a real sitting of the Dáil.

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: Have the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and every member of the Government attend.

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: This sitting is about optics in order that the Government can claim the Dáil sits on Fridays. Although we are making a legislative input, this sitting is not meaningful.

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: If the Government wants to promote value for money and engage in real reform, let us have proper Friday sittings instead of locking down all of the Opposition. We will use this platform, but the Government will not and, as a result, will come out second best. In their hearts and souls, the Members opposite agree that this is a sham sitting. They are nodding in agreement and I hope they...

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: I commend the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly, who is providing an outstanding service. No Deputy who has had dealings with her office could claim that they were anything but good. We need to promote the case for granting the Ombudsman further powers and for fostering and enhancing her role. The main aspect of my Bill has affected me and other public...

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: -----as persons engaged in misinformation, hypocrisy and irresponsibility on this issue and showing an entire disregard for environmental pollution. He said the Fianna Fáil Party was engaged in law breaking on the issue. I reject that charge outright. It is most unfair and I call on him to withdraw it. I was elected to this House in 2007 and re-elected last year. As such, I have a...

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: -----nor accuse them of being engaged in misinformation, hypocrisy and irresponsible behaviour or of breaking the law. He omitted Deputy Mattie McGrath from his comments. The IFA and the ICSMA are saying exactly what we are saying.

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: Yes. Like those organisations, we are asking a legitimate question about the standards that will apply in respect of the inspection regime for septic tanks. When pressed by the interviewer, Joe Nash, the Minister could not define a "low-income family". The Minister insisted there would be no hidden charges arising from the registration and inspection regime. All the inspection will seek to...

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: The Minister has insisted that his only concern is to ensure private water treatment systems are working. The question, however - this is the crux of the matter, as we have pointed out from the beginning - is what standard will apply in this regard. That is the question we are reasonably asking. The Minister said that people should tell the truth. That is what we are doing, but the...

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: They are also obliged to pay development charges which go towards subsidising the cost of urban wastewater treatment systems. I roundly reject what the Minister has said about me, Deputies Ó Cuív and Martin Ferris and, by implication, Mattie McGrath-----

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: -----in regard to a public meeting that was held in my constituency some days ago. I challenge him to join me in another interview on Limerick's Live 95FM, the Minister's local radio station or Pat Kenny's radio programme. Rather than a one-on-one interview where his claims about me and certain colleagues could go unchallenged, I challenge the Minister to participate in a live debate. I am...

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: This is new Fianna Fáil.

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: The Deputy should wake up. Some of us do it.

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: The Minister is exposed.

Private Members' Business. Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: I will conclude briefly. Our lively and informative discussion on local government has been aided by the fact that many Deputies have passed through the local authority system. I am pleased that people have brought their experiences to the House to inform us in our work. I am disappointed the Government has signalled its intention to oppose the Bill. Perhaps the Government will reflect on...

Emigrant Support Programmes (17 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: Question 37: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific services and projects that will be affected by the €1.3 million reduction in support for Irish emigrants in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2359/12]

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (17 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: Question 69: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made any comments at EU level regarding the ongoing situation in Syria and in particular the Arab League supervision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1943/12]

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 Jan 2012)

Niall Collins: Question 150: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will examine a payment being made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the fact that this person has been advised that they are not liable for this charge; and if he will arrange to cease this payment and refund all payments made in this respect, [2413/12]