Results 1,381-1,400 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: SME Recovery (30 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: Mr. Moran will know well, from dealing with SMEs daily, that there is a considerable need to reopen Ireland, and in particular the tourism industry, in a safe manner. Can the witnesses encourage the Government in some way to invest in testing in our airports and ports, with the results available in one day, to bring in people to start opening up Ireland as a safe place to holiday and ensure...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Hospitality Sector (30 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: I thank the witnesses for their comments. I do need to say how businesses around the country in the pub, hotel and restaurant sectors are haemorrhaging money very badly. In my constituency of Cork South-West I have spoken to business owners from Kinsale to the peninsulas and there is serious concern out there. I will be putting a number of questions and I would appreciate it if the...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Arts and Entertainment Sector (30 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: I thank our guests. I have a number of questions for them, and maybe more than they can answer. If so, perhaps afterwards they will supply written replies to me or to the committee. Responsibility for the arts will now be under the remit of the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht. I am extremely disappointed that the islands have been taken away because...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Arts and Entertainment Sector (30 Jun 2020)

Michael Collins: My time is up.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Tourism, Arts and Entertainment Sector (2 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: I thank the Chairman and witnesses. Tourism is one of the largest indigenous employers in Ireland and has been one of the worst hit in this pandemic. While I congratulate Deputy Catherine Martin on her appointment to this Ministry, it was a glaring mistake by this Fianna Fáil-led Government that it did not take the advice from me and my Independent colleagues to appoint a stand-alone...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Tourism, Arts and Entertainment Sector (2 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: Can bed and breakfast accommodation operators be sued if somebody contracts Covid-19 when staying at their premises? Once a guest leaves bed and breakfast accommodation, when can the room be reopened for a new guest?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: I thank our guests for attending. I wish Deputy Foley the very best in her new role as Minister for Education and Skills and I pay tribute to the former Minister, Deputy McHugh, who was very fair when in his position. I am involved with the board of management at a school in Schull in west Cork. I can see at first hand the problems that schools will have with the return of students,...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: I fully realise the delegates' bodies are not the funding bodies as such and that the funding body is the Department. One of the first questions I asked was whether there are any indications from the Department on whether schools will be getting a bigger budget for cleaning and personal protective equipment. Surely there is some indication. If the delegates are lobbying, they are surely...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: What is coming back from the Department to the delegates on transport? Is there any talk about the seating plans? Will children have to wear masks? Is there any plan in place overall? Has anything been figured out yet? Will extra school buses have to be provided? What is the indication from the Department?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: I appreciate that. In the constituency I represent, 90% go to school in motorised vehicles. In some cases, the children have to travel many miles.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: Absolutely. A lady down in Innishannon wrote that book. Emergency works funding has been denied to schools. Many could be closed if they do not get the money to address their urgent issues. They are being refused. Has the money dried up? Have the delegates been lobbying in this regard? Is there any indication from the Department?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: I thank the witnesses in attendance today. I might call out the questions I have all together. The teacher representatives may answer some. Others are related to transport, as part of this was meant to be transport day. It is my understanding that students are asked to pay approximately two thirds of the cost of accommodation in August of each year to secure a place in student...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: Page 61 of the programme for Government states that access to high-quality broadband across Ireland is essential to the development of all parts of our country. The Taoiseach may have seen national television and newspaper reports in recent weeks that Gaggan, west of Bandon, has little or no broadband. Areas in Kinsale, Bandon and Clonakilty all the way back to the three peninsulas in west...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (7 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: I am happy to have a chance to speak about these Revised Estimates for public services. I take the opportunity to urge that a closer scrutiny be made of how moneys are spent in various Departments to ensure they are not wasted, as we have seen happen with projects such as the children's hospital. That is one of many instances where massive amounts of money have been paid out. A total of...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (7 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: I am sharing time with Deputy Mattie McGrath. I will allow the Tánaiste a few minutes. He might be able to respond to some of the questions I ask. Businesses are in serious trouble all over west Cork and the rest of Ireland. Representatives of SMEs, to whom I speak every day, ask the same question, that is, how they are going to survive. The Tánaiste is not a miracle man with...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (7 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: No.

Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: I wish the Minister the very best in his new role. Affordable housing is every family's dream but, sadly, it is not the reality for many families. Over the past four years, I have seen a large amount of lip service but no delivery on the ground. Housing and planning in this country is a total mess. It goes against families, building and local communities; it is basically anti-everything...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (7 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: 428. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a matter (details supplied) will be examined for subjects studied outside school will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14173/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (7 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: 429. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a budget is in place for cleaning and PPE; if not, if it will be put in place for schools returning in September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14174/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Emergency Works Scheme (7 Jul 2020)

Michael Collins: 430. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if emergency works grant applications by schools (details supplied) will be expedited to ensure the safe reopening of the schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14175/20]