Results 261-280 of 3,645 for speaker:Michael Collins
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: I appreciate that because some people are struggling severely. Mortgages have to be paid and banks are knocking on the door. There is a serious worry there. The Rural Independent Group brought a motion before Dáil Éireann on 25 January 2023 regarding inshore fishing. It asked for funding of €12 million at the time. That figure that was well researched. To date, only...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: I respect the Minister is right in saying the Government would probably have to double its budget if every request were acceded to, but the Government agreed to the motion that included a figure of €12 million. If the Government disagreed with the motion, it would have been honest and straight to state it could not afford the funding. We agreed to that motion but the Government has...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: Is the Minister considering it positively or negatively?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: I appreciate it. Has the Minister acquired any bluefin tuna quota for this year?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: The closure of the pollock fishery is a big blow to the inshore sector. To add insult to injury, commercial fishermen who are now stopped from fishing pollock have to watch anglers take any amount they want. This proves the ban had little to do with conservation methods.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: BIM runs a scheme for v-notching lobster. Fishermen have been waiting for this scheme to open since February. We are halfway through the year but fishermen are still waiting. It is crazy that the scheme does not run all year round to benefit the sustainability of lobster.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: Will the scheme run all year round?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Implementation of Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023: Discussion (19 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: Okay. With the ban on pollock, wind farms and the looming marine protected areas, MPAs, inshore fishermen are now in a dire situation. Has the Government ever considered providing an annual scheme, similar to that for the agricultural sector, for the inshore sector?
- Hospitality and Tourism Sector: Motion [Private Members] (19 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: I would be delighted to.
- Hospitality and Tourism Sector: Motion [Private Members] (19 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — from 2011-2018 and 2020-2023, the hospitality and tourism sector enjoyed a reduced 9 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) rate; — the Government restored this rate to 13.5 per cent in September 2023; — the Government’s decision to hike the VAT rate on the sector last year was ill-judged and ill-advised; —...
- Carers: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: I thank the Minister of State for clarifying that but you have to be terminally ill to get that.
- Carers: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: In most cases that is the case because I certainly know from my office.
- Carers: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: The Minister of State is incorrect because people have come to my office and they are applying for the medical card and cannot get it even though they have cancer. The Minister of State should not come along telling me that is not the case. Unfortunately, you have to be terminally ill to fill the form the Minister of State is talking about. If not, please give me the form. She must have a...
- Carers: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: Thank you too with your dream talk.
- Carers: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: I have stood in this Chamber many times and spoken of the work being done by the carers of this country. I have spoken of the amount of money they are saving the State, the personal care they give, which is second to none, yet the thanks these people get is that they are means tested. I can quote case after case, person after person, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. We hear a good deal...
- Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (12 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: I would like to speak to the section of the Bill relating to the Minister's control over county development plans and having the final say. I have serious concerns about that. Councillors are elected, and I wish every councillor who was elected in the past week the very best going forward. The councillors who are elected should have the final say as to how a county development plan is put...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: Sorry.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: The Taoiseach has publicly stated that he supports the hardworking, local businesses that employ many people in rural towns and villages. Airbnb hosts also fall into the category of hardworking local businesses. They form the bedrock of visitor accommodation in rural and coastal areas across the island. For example, their contribution to the success of the Wild Atlantic Way, now in its...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: The Taoiseach said that he understands the challenges faced by businesses. I could question that because he is part of the Government that raised VAT from 9% to 13.5%. That was not evidence of understanding the challenges businesses are experiencing. I am talking about a completely different matter. The Taoiseach referred to regulation. Those in the Airbnb sector are not afraid of...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2024)
Michael Collins: Shocking.