Results 1,701-1,720 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Response of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to Covid-19: Statements (28 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: The latest figures from the Department show that 10,440 men, women and children were homeless in November, up 5% on the year before. More than a decade after Ireland experienced Europe's biggest property crash, the housing and property market remains in difficulty. The Central Bank of Ireland estimates that the State will need 34,000 new homes a year over the next decade to keep up with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges for the Forestry Sector: Department of Agriculture and the Marine (29 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: My thanks to the members and the witnesses. Unfortunately, the pace of licensing and decisions from the forestry appeals committee is nowhere near where it needs to be. This is the key to addressing the short-term supply issue that continues to decimate the industry, especially sawmills such as Grainger sawmills in west Cork, which employs up to 500 people. Some 2,700 licences were issued...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges for the Forestry Sector: Department of Agriculture and the Marine (29 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: On the backlog of files in the Department that are going nowhere, there seems to be no plan for getting through these. Will the Department write to each applicant in relation to these files giving them a clear statement as to where the file is, what will happen to it and when?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges for the Forestry Sector: Department of Agriculture and the Marine (29 Jan 2021)

Michael Collins: With regard to forest roads, almost 120 km of new roads were licensed in 2020, but the requirement is 300 road licences every year. In addition, the backlog is approximately 300 at present. We are told by Coillte that this is the biggest issue it is facing to liberate timber that will have licences in 2021. Since putting additional resources in place, the FAC has held 61 hearings and 42...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: The Impact of Brexit on the Agriculture Industry: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister and his officials for being here. I have been raising Brexit issues, including fishing, all along. Obviously, I have been talking to the west Cork Irish Farmers Association chairman, Mr. Donal O'Donovan, and to Mr. Dermot Kelleher of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association. I met representatives of Individual Farmers of Ireland last night and they are seeking a...

Household Utility Bills Support: Motion [Private Members] (3 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: The carbon tax increases introduced in budget 2021 are punitive for the most vulnerable and anti-rural due to the hikes in the prices of petrol, diesel and oil. The measures included in budget 2021, such as the increase in carbon tax by €7.50 per tonne, will mean an extra €150 per year to fill a diesel car and €130 per year for a petrol car until 2030. I have a young...

Reappointment of the Ombudsman for Children: Motion (3 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: This February will mark 12 months since the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in Ireland. On 12 March 2020 schools throughout the country closed. Dr. Muldoon has said time away from school has left children and young people devoid of school, hobbies, sports and access to close friends. It has been a long and tortuous road for many; for our most disadvantaged and vulnerable children it is doubly...

Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (3 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: We have two speakers. I raise the issue of caravan and camping parks, which have been unfairly excluded by the Revenue Commissioners from the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS. As providers of seasonal accommodation, camping and caravan parks should be eligible for the scheme under the heading which covers hotels, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and similar accommodation providers....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: 171. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be made available to caravan and camping parks in order that they can remain in business when the recovery occurs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5059/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: 306. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the affordable housing scheme in Kinsale, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5846/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (3 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: 703. To ask the Minister for Health if staff at a service (details supplied) will be contacted regarding the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5332/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use (3 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: 723. To ask the Minister for Health the position of patients of a company (details supplied) given the recent positive announcement regarding the CAP and the funding for medications under the scheme; if an application has been received for the company to be part of the CAP scheme; if so, if there have been issues outstanding regarding its inclusion; if not, if an application will be made in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: The roll-out of the vaccine is a great concern for so many working on the front line. Carers and older people must be offered the vaccine and foremost in the process should be our GPs, nurses and home help personnel. I have spoken to GPs and nurses in west Cork in the past couple of days who have not yet been offered the vaccine, despite us being told it has been offered throughout the...

Covid-19 (Childcare): Statements (4 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: It is claimed that NPHET and the Government deem schools safe to reopen. Therefore, why has it taken so long to get special education schools open? We welcome the decision by the Government, or the agreement in principle, to reopen schools on Thursday, 11 February, with a 50% student attendance. Special classes in other schools are to open on 22 February. However, what level of...

Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: The Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020 creates a single aviation regulator for safety, security, economic regulation and consumer protection. It is something with which I am in full agreement. Last April I raised rapid testing at airports with the then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, and have repeatedly raised it since. That is going back nine or ten months ago and I was very disappointed...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Regulation on Veterinary Medicinal Products (Resumed): Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (9 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: The Independent Licensed Merchants Association submitted substantive evidence that Ireland can meet the terms of the derogation of Article 105(4) in its legal opinion, which was immediately made available to the Department. To date, the Department refutes that, defending the fact that it has legal advice to the contrary. Why has the legal advice and the brief to the Council never been shown...

Covid-19: Motion [Private Members] (10 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: I have an issue with the Labour Party approach and the zero Covid strategy that will kill the entire domestic economy, as Deputy Mattie McGrath has just said. I look at small businesses such as barber shops, bars, hairdressers, nail salons and sit-in cafés. Lockdowns are putting these businesses under severe pressure. They are not sure if they will be able to reopen or what the...

Covid-19: Motion [Private Members] (10 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: -----the vaccine for the home helps and carers, and other issues.

Appointment of Member of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority: Motion (10 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: The Legal Services Regulatory Authority is the body responsible for processing allegations of wrongdoing against solicitors and barristers, but it should do more than that. It received an average of more than four complaints per day in its first six months of work. According to its annual report up to September 2020, the authority received 636 complaints concerning lawyers between 7 October...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (10 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: 114. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter regarding driver testing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6476/21]