Results 1,741-1,760 of 3,652 for speaker:Michael Collins

Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: I will talk about the rest of the issue later.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: On the same issue, but in my constituency of Cork South-West, the roll-out of the vaccine has been very confusing to say the least. In some situations, even up to a week ago, doctors in west Cork did not even have vaccines for themselves, never mind their patients. Perhaps that has been corrected but home helps in west Cork, who are at the front line, have not yet received the vaccine. It...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Feb 2021)

Michael Collins: The general feedback today has been that people will be generally supportive of the Minister if he will accept some or all of these amendments. The Rural Independent Group has put forward amendments. I thank Brian Ó Domhnaill and Mairead McGrath in the office who put time and effort into these constructive amendments. I see that other parties and Independent groups have done the same...

Housing Shared Equity Loan Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (3 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: Regrettably, home ownership has become less attainable for a growing number of people, especially those in younger age groups. Shared equity home ownership, in its many guises, has been promoted by many, including banks and large commercial property developers, to provide a solution to this problem, making home ownership a realistic option for those who currently cannot afford it and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: The decision of Bank of Ireland to close 103 of its branches, two of them in Bantry and Dunmanway in my constituency, is a grave error of judgment by the bank. The price that will be paid for this is a weakening of customer loyalty to the bank, and a loss of knowledge to the bank of its individual customers' needs and the unique needs of the communities it serves. Over many years, the Bank...

Reopening Schools and Leaving Certificate Examinations: Statements (3 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: A calculated grades system was introduced in 2020, and while there were many teething problems, it showed us that there may be other ways to assess our students rather than cramming six years of learning into two weeks of final exams. Perhaps it is time to reform the leaving certificate, which might mean students being assessed on a staggered basis using a broader range of assessment methods...

Banking Sector: Statements (3 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: The decision made by Bank of Ireland to close 103 of its branches in Ireland, including 88 in the Republic, two of which, in Bantry and Dunmanway, are in my constituency, is a grave error of judgment. For several years, the bank has been dismantling the personal service which existed for generations and replacing it with banking machines in a bid to reduce staff and costs. However, the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (3 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: 1036. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a copy of the policy position paper on fisheries prior to entering the fisheries element of the Brexit negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11135/21]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Appointments (3 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: 1037. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the hiring process and qualifying qualifications, renumeration package and other relevant information of his policy and political adviser on fisheries; if the adviser also covers other areas under his portfolio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11136/21]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (3 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: 1038. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of meetings and discussions, including dates and length of meetings and conversations, he had with his European counterparts from his appointment as Minister up until the time of the final outcome of the Brexit fisheries deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11137/21]

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

Michael Collins: There is a very serious issue with forestry felling. We have a crisis because an objector has held up the whole process. In some cases I know of, a licence cannot be got where forests have been blown due to storms. There is a very worrying situation at GP Wood in Cork, which employs 500 people, because it has a massive shortage of timber. Another growing worry is the Government's targets...

Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out Programme: Statements (Resumed) (4 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: I will be making statements. I would appreciate it if the Minister would come back to me with the answers. The vaccine roll-out did not get off to a good start. We all know that and I hope things are ironing themselves out. I raised with the Minister several times the issue of home helps being offered a vaccine throughout west Cork. This took some pleading but it seems that many got the...

Impact of Covid-19 on Women for International Women’s Day: Statements (4 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: I am delighted to get a chance to speak on the impact of Covid-19 on women for International Women's Day. I have been lucky to know some great and gifted women in my lifetime. We have seen in the past 12 months how our medical professionals, most of them women, have been to the fore in tackling the Covid-19 crisis. Some are doctors and others are nurses, carers and home helps. They have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Eradication of Bovine Tuberculosis: Discussion (9 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: Much of what I wanted to say has already been mentioned. On my side of the country there are many beef farmers and there has been major difficulties in testing cattle. I am a farmer but I have helped many others through the years. We all do that with our neighbours, including older neighbours in difficulty. They often swore inside a yard what a bloody racket this whole process is. It has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Eradication of Bovine Tuberculosis: Discussion (9 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: I have a couple of questions for the Department official. TB testing was meant to eradicate TB and we have been testing for decades now. It has failed, and failed miserably. This has caused frustration and difficulties for farmers, especially those on their own or older farmers trying to test cattle. Can the Department officials explain why it has failed? Many farmers believe, and I said...

Civil Registration (Right of Adoptees to Information) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (10 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: I support this Bill. One issue officials are wrestling with is how to protect the privacy of birth parents who do not wish to be known or to be contacted by children who were given up for adoption many years ago. The change that is almost certainly coming is that their rights of privacy will no longer trump the rights of adopted people to know their birth identities. For people who were...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: It is quite evident to the people of this country that we have a vaccine supply issue. Every other Deputy is in the same position as me in having issues to raise in this regard. When are gardaí and shop workers going to be vaccinated? What about the people living on the islands off west Cork, including Bere Island, Cape Clear Island, Sherkin Island, Long Island and the many other...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Racing Industry (10 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: 1004. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when point-to-point racing will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12516/21]

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (11 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: I will concentrate my efforts on the Garda. I will be making statements and I would appreciate it if the Minister would give me a written reply. I have asked a lot of fair questions about the vaccines and I have never got a reply. Shop assistants are asking me when they will be considered. They have been on the front line for quite some time. Many people on islands off west Cork are...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Mar 2021)

Michael Collins: I fully agree with Deputy Duncan Smith. I raised this issue with the Taoiseach in the House three or four months ago with reference to facilities in County Cork and throughout the country. The number of special disability toilets in Northern Ireland is double if not quadruple the number in the Republic. The lack of provision is not fair. There are people travelling hours with a person...