Results 1-20 of 3,645 for speaker:Michael Collins

Parental Choice in Education: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2025)

Michael Collins: The Social Democrats have tabled a motion in the Dáil that calls for the Government to increase the number of multidenominational schools and to phase out religious patronage in special education. I have listened carefully today to all the reasons we should remove church patronage. There are also those of us who oppose these statements and who argue that religious institutions play a...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Michael Collins: This discussion is centred on extending certain provisions of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. This extension aims to allow the hospitality sector to continue providing outdoor seating areas for the sale and consumption of alcohol. Independent Ireland and I are in full agreement with this extension. This is crucial for offering clarity and certainty to business, patrons,...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Michael Collins: However, it is all about seating, and the rates for seating are coming-----

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Michael Collins: I know that, and I respect that, but I am only talking about the importance of having it there. The fact is that they now have it, but they are being punished for having it there by being rated. It is difficult for these business. In a few months, they are trying to turn over a profit and make enough to keep staff on board. These businesses are paying for rates, electricity, staff, VAT,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (8 May 2025)

Michael Collins: I start by thanking Deputy Micheál Carrigy for bringing students from Scoil Samhthann in Ballinalee in County Longford to the Public Gallery here today. Many of them are there behind me, including my own cousin, who has very strong connections with west Cork. Aisling Hennessy is here with her fellow students and teachers. They are most welcome. The private nursing home sector...

Childcare: Motion (7 May 2025)

Michael Collins: One of the main issues affecting countless families is childcare. The Dáil recognises the significant challenges many parents face in affording and finding suitable childcare. The shortage of childcare places has left many children on waiting lists. The high costs, sometimes exceeding €1,000 per month, place an immense additional financial burden on families. We must...

Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (Resumed) (7 May 2025)

Michael Collins: The recent Farrelly commission report on the Grace foster home abuse case has resulted in much public debate and concern. This investigation took almost ten years and cost about €13.6 million. It found evidence of financial abuse and a serious lack of oversight by the South-Eastern Health Board and the HSE. However, the report did not find clear evidence of physical or sexual abuse,...

Europe Day: Statements (7 May 2025)

Michael Collins: Europe, like Ireland, is a hugely different place from what it was in the 1970s. While we are here making statements on Europe Day, fishermen in this country would like a statement on what they have described as the "true picture of the alarming current state of the Irish fishing industry under EU 'management'". It states: - 60,000 - the volume of blue whiting quota the Irish pelagic...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 May 2025)

Michael Collins: For the past five weeks or so I have been looking for a debate on agriculture weeks relating to the ACRE payments. There are 9,000 farmers waiting for their payments in respect of 2023 and 2024. Some 2,000 have not received payments for 2023. We also have a crisis with tuberculosis, TB, which is costing farmers €150 million with the highest rates of TB since 2003, up 36%. We also...

Final Draft Revised National Planning Framework: Motion (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: We are here today to discuss the final draft of the revised national planning framework, a crucial step towards Ireland's sustainable future. It is imperative that we address the acute infrastructure challenges in the areas of housing and transport. West Cork suffers from inadequate sewerage systems, particularly in areas like Dunmanway, Goleen, Shannonvale, Rosscarbery and Ballydehob....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Yes. I wrote to the Central Bank two weeks ago and I have heard nothing back since. There are legal cases being taken at the moment. The fraud squad is also involved. When I raised this question in the Dáil the last time, the fraud squad contacted people immediately afterwards. I sent the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance two sample cases this morning. I respect that the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: A few weeks ago, I raised with the Taoiseach some scandalous transactions by a number of financial advisers that have led to genuine investors getting stung for millions. Since raising this issue, I have been contacted by numerous people who have had their honest savings robbed. The last time I spoke on this, I knew of around ten people who were affected. Now, I have at least 60 people who...

Special Education: Motion [Private Members] (30 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: This motion highlights real failures in special education, and Independent Ireland says it is long overdue. We agree that too many children have been left without places. That is not just a statistic; it is heartbreak in every community. We have said loudly before that a national plan for special education is needed rather than sticking plasters. We support Labour's call for a centralised...

Children's Health Ireland: Statements (29 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: A wrong that has been done to a child is a wrong we should all be ashamed of. Today, we gather in the shadow of not one scandal but a series of failures that stretch across the institution entrusted with the care of our youngest and most vulnerable children's health. First, there was the horror of the Temple Street spinal surgery scandal, where children already burdened with illness were...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Another carbon tax increase will hit people hard in the pocket tomorrow morning. Last October, carbon tax increases hit motorists in the pocket as petrol and diesel increased from €56 per tonne to €63.50 per tonne. Tomorrow's increase will hit people using gas, home heating oil, coal and briquettes. Household gas bills will rise by €17. The cost of home heating oil...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: I have been asking for the last number of weeks at Business Committee meetings for a debate on a farming issue. There are 9,000 farmers without ACRES payments - 2023 payments and 2024 payments. These farmers need to pay their bills urgently. Tomorrow morning, with a carbon tax up on people's backs again, it is becoming impossible to live. We need a debate here to see where these payments...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (29 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: 972. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the reduction of the funding allocated for the schoolbooks scheme, when in 2023 it was estimated that €96 per child was necessary to help schools to ensure the new curriculum could be implemented with the right teaching and learning aids; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20184/25]

Uisce Éireann: Statements (10 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: I am delighted to get the opportunity to speak on this debate today. I sit on the Business Committee, and I have been seeking this debate for five weeks. It has taken a hell of a long time to get here. I mean absolutely no disrespect to the Minister of State, but the senior Minister should be here. The huge issue of wastewater and Uisce Éireann - whatever aspect of it we want to talk...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Following on from my question two weeks ago in the Dáil about Ireland retaining our fishing rights off Rockall, in recent years the population of bluefin tuna has significantly increased. Denmark and Norway have successfully applied to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, ICCAT, and received quotas, while the Japanese fleet is fishing along the 200-mile...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (9 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: 40. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an exception to the price increase by the NTA will be made for rural taxis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17733/25]