Results 3,041-3,060 of 3,646 for speaker:Michael Collins

Questions on Promised Legislation (24 May 2018)

Michael Collins: It is a dog's dinner. The whole country is telling them that.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Deputy Michael Healy-Rae said earlier that he spoke to people. I did the same. Maybe we might be taking the wrong direction. It is good to get direction from the people who elected us. The feeling on the ground is to stop now while the Minister is ahead. It is becoming more evident as the hours go on that this is a farcical Bill. I refer to fit and proper board of management experience....

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Michael Collins: That is not the road I would expect them to travel. However, it looks like it is. I would not support the elite to be getting jobs. That is exactly what we have been trying to clean out for many years. The nonsensical nod-and-wink style of politics. As Deputy McGuinness and Deputy Mattie McGrath said, there is a woman in jail for three weeks and no one cares. That is what we should be...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I call on the other party supporting and keeping it rolling on to pull the plug now in time.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I have spoken on this issue on many occasions. I again ask the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, to consider standing back on this issue. The nation is watching very closely and they saw the shambles that went on here last night. If his Government has its hand tied behind its back by the Minister, Deputy Ross, I plead with Sinn Féin to release the ties of the Fine Gael Ministers and TDs and...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I am delighted to get the opportunity to contribute for two minutes. This is a holy mess and, to be honest, everyone in the country knows it is a holy mess. They were all talking about it last night. It is not of the Minister's making but, sadly, the finger will be pointed at him and as Deputy Danny Healy-Rae said, he can be damn sure the Minister, Deputy...

European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2018: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (23 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I start by thanking Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher for putting forward this motion, which is hugely important to the constituency I represent in Cork South-West, where fishermen put their lives at risk on a daily basis from Castletownbere right down into Bantry and Schull. These were once mighty ports with mighty fishing vessels coming out of them, all the way down to Unionhall and Kinsale....

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 May 2018)

Michael Collins: The programme for Government, when dealing with tourism, on page 47 states: "We will work towards achieving the ambitious tourism policy goals set for 2025." In a beautiful area of west Cork, Castlefreke, near Rosscarbery, there is a vibrant community that has promoted tourism for many years. As the Taoiseach is probably aware, the community has been a top award winner in the national Tidy...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I appreciate the Minister trying to clarify, but it changes nothing. The fact is, as I said earlier, it will be a commission set up by the Government of the day and instead of the Government making the decision, it will be setting up a new quango of some sort. Who will pay for all this? What will this cost the State? It could be quite frightening. Irrespective of whether it is the HSE or...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Sorry, hockey.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Michael Collins: If we put in an application for a hockey club in south-west Cork, I do not think we would get €180,000. It is questionable as to what is going on in the Minister's Department. Perhaps the Minister for Justice and Equality might be able to enlighten us.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Regarding the appointment of judges, this decision, from what I can gather, was made previously by Governments. I happen to agree fully with Deputy Barrett. He is an experienced politician and what he had to say certainly warrants full listening to. I was interested to hear it. I had this discussion with the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport many months ago when he was doing...

Order of Business (22 May 2018)

Michael Collins: On page 121 of the programme for Government, under trade negotiations, the Government promised to ensure our national interests are protected in any future trade deal discussions, with particular focus on beef and food safety standards. A group of MEPs on an inspection visit to Brazil found that country does not have the same traceability standards for beef as EU producers. Records are only...

Questions on Promised Legislation (17 May 2018)

Michael Collins: The programme for Government states, "We will set out capitation rates to schools on a rolling 3-year basis, allowing for forward planning." The reality is that capitation grants were cut from €200 per child to €170 by the former Government, a cut of 15%. As a result, most primary schools are relying on fundraising by parents to make up the shortfall in funding. I know this...

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Michael Collins: In the programme for Government negotiations over two years ago, much of the discussion centred around rural Ireland and the losses of services that left a trail of devastation in rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, in particular, in west Cork. Immediately after votes here in the Dáil today, I will return to Ballydehob in west Cork for a public meeting to save the local post...

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Michael Collins: It is.

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Michael Collins: The Tánaiste does not seem to grasp the seriousness of the situation for people in rural Ireland. He should not stand up here and talk about what the Government is doing for people with cataract operations. For God's sake, let him stop. It is scandalous beyond belief to see the report yesterday of someone five years waiting. The Government let him go blind rather than doing...

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Michael Collins: It is all done by stealth.

Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (16 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I have spoken in this Chamber many times about the current housing crisis. We need to relieve pressure from people who fear homelessness. I plead with the Minister to take solid action. With a staggering number of children living either on our streets or in emergency accommodation, it is important that we make provisions to protect...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Review of Programmes of the Department of Rural and Community Development: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister for his report. The amount of money available for SICAP is good. I am pleased with what has been given. I was involved in a development partnership group some years ago and remember that SICAP helped people with financial difficulties. There was also a small farmers programme at the time and it was extremely successful. Sadly, the last time funding was given - I hope...