Results 221-240 of 3,894 for speaker:Michael Collins

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Schemes (22 May 2025)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister very much. It is a very important scheme. It is a great scheme for anyone who qualifies. The problem, as I have said, is that 4,000 applications remain outstanding and have not qualified. For all the funds that have gone into it, they are not half enough of what needs to go into it. I have spoken to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae on this issue several times. It is a big...

Gaza: Statements (21 May 2025)

Michael Collins: This is not a numbers game but rather a humanitarian catastrophe. The whole population of Gaza, including 930,000 children, are now in famine. With our own history of an enforced famine at the hands of an occupier, the Irish people have a unique understanding and empathy for the people of Gaza. Some 66,000 children suffer severe malnutrition and 14,000 babies are potentially facing death...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 May 2025)

Michael Collins: A report published this week by Grant Thornton, having been commissioned by the Irish Postmasters Union, predicts that more than 100 post offices could close in the next five years if they do not get an urgent injection of State funding in the region of €15 million annually. This is required to keep the network viable. The local post office, whether rural or urban, is a critical...

Fair and Sustainable Funding for Carers, Home Support and Nursing Homes Support Schemes: Motion [Private Members] (21 May 2025)

Michael Collins: I appreciate the Minister of State saying the motion is not being opposed, but is the Government going to deliver? That is the question here, and it is a huge question. Since I came here in 2016, that has been the case - non-delivery for home care services. I thank John Campbell and Mark Nolan for helping us put this motion together. This motion is about people. It is about the backbone...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Water Quality (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister. I know he said he met the farmers in Timoleague. I think the Taoiseach has met them and the previous Taoiseach met them. The farmers there are doing everything and their utmost, and farmers who pull out all the stops need to be rewarded. It is within the Minister's remit to make changes here and make sure they do not end up in a situation where they are down to 220...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Water Quality (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: 112. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reconsider the nitrates stocking rate map and make an adjustment to the Timoleague catchment stocking rate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25786/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Water Quality (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: The recent changes made to the nitrates stocking rate map need to be reconsidered. Lowering the stocking rate to 220 kg N/ha in additional areas in west Cork will have minimal, if any, impact on water quality. The Timoleague catchment has demonstrated nitrates concentration in water does not proportionally increase when the stocking rates increase. Will the Minister please reconsider the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Water Quality (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister. This valuable catchment, which provides important research findings to the rest of the country through the agricultural catchment programme, will be subject to the stocking reduction of 220 kg N/ha from 1 December. This will make it impossible to decouple and quantify the impact of agricultural measures on water quality from a reduction in stocking rates. In fact,...

Assessment of Need: Statements (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: Our children with additional needs deserve our unwavering support and immediate action. Over 15,000 children are currently waiting for an assessment of needs, which is a crucial step in identifying their health and educational requirements as outlined in the Disability Act 2005. Our system is failing these children and their families. The HSE projects that without additional funding and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: It is 23 weeks and four days since the general election took place and almost four months since junior Ministers were appointed to their positions. However, powers have yet to be delegated to more than 50% of junior Ministers by this Government. The Taoiseach knows well the major housing crisis we have and the major challenges faced by small businesses, by communities that do not have flood...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: Communities throughout Ireland are in huge fear as they await flood relief schemes. Many of these communities just need simple river cleaning before their houses are flooded again. The bottom line is that we need a debate. I have been promised it might happen soon but I have been looking for a debate for the past number of weeks. We need an urgent debate. We never know when a flood will...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: 227. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the forthcoming renewable heat obligation will deal with the liquid fuel and gas sectors separately, given the fact that the liquid fuel sector will be in a position to deliver a higher obligation rate than the gas sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25388/25]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: 228. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in the preparation of the forthcoming renewable heat obligation, if he has considered the creation of a separate scheme for liquid fuels which could be combined with highly successful renewable transport fuel obligation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25389/25]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: 713. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date on which all ACRES payments will be issued to those farmers struggling to pay bills at this time (details supplied). [25787/25]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: 714. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being put in place to lower the levels of animal TB, given the high rates nationwide. [25788/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: 808. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 798 of 18 February 2025, for a further update on the progression of the recommended policy regarding 'controlled drugs' Ava's protocol, as per the inquest on 5 December 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25333/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Services (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: 837. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a complete list of all stakeholders represented temporarily or long-term at the termination of pregnancy Data Governance Group, established following the 2023 Review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25639/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Services (20 May 2025)

Michael Collins: 838. To ask the Minister for Health the purpose and remit of the work of the TOP Data Governance Group; the number of meetings it has held to date, in tabular form; to outline its tasks and or work streams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25640/25]

Common Agricultural Policy and Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan: Statements (15 May 2025)

Michael Collins: This is my first chance to welcome the Minister to his new role and I wish him the best going forward. I also welcome the IFA president, Mr. Francie Gorman, who is here with us. I acknowledge the volunteers on the ground in farm organisations, such as Mr. Tadhg Healy and previously Mr. Donal O'Donovan in west Cork. Tadhg is my right ear most weeks on farm issues and Mr. Dermot Kelleher, of...

Driving Test Wait Times: Statements (14 May 2025)

Michael Collins: The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, said on 1 May, "The current delays in the driver testing system are simply not acceptable." He also said, "People deserve a national driver testing service that they can rely upon", and that he will continue to hold the RSA to account until we see meaningful progress. To be honest, we are all fed up of hearing the same old line over and over again. I...