Results 3,061-3,080 of 3,646 for speaker:Michael Collins

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: While I recognise that some regulations must be in place I question where they are going. They have gone way over the top here. It is a heavy-handed set-up. That does not mean people are being over-rude as such. One is not talking to anybody but one gets a letter. I was given a letter the other day from a community voluntary organisation in which the organisation was told it did not...

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: There are two things I mentioned when I spoke a few minutes ago. I hope that we might achieve something today. The Minister might be able to help us on this. The threatening letters being sent out to voluntary organisations need to stop. They mention €300,000 and jailing. Obviously people need to comply but there needs to be an understanding that community voluntary organisations...

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 discussed the letter with members of the organisation in question in the audiovisual room. They said there was money from organisations that had very elderly people. They said it was over, they were finished and to take it back. I would like to know where that money has gone. It did not go back to the community it came from. Is it held until future decisions are made? We will see. In...

Data Protection Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 May 2018)

Michael Collins: 4 o’clock I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on the eagerly awaited Data Protection Bill 2018. The Bill incorporates Ireland's national implementation measures required under the GDPR and creates a new regulatory framework for the enforcement of data protection laws in Ireland. The digital age of consent has been the subject of considerable debate in the Oireachtas....

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 May 2018)

Michael Collins: On page 59 of the programme for Government is a commitment to update the national eye care plan. A report released today by the Association of Optometrists Ireland confirms that the average waiting time for cataract surgery is 28 months and up to five years in areas like west Cork. It is more than two years since the Government promised to tackle the issue. Were it not for the cross-Border...

Mandatory Open Disclosure: Motion (15 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on mandatory open disclosures in health service provision. I support mandatory open disclosure as a central part of the health service. The rights of patients or service users have to come first. When a person attends a health facility to receive care of any kind, that person expects a safe outcome. To be fair, most health workers at all levels do their...

Order of Business (15 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Page 118 of the programme for Government document refers to how the horse and greyhound sectors are fundamentally important to rural Ireland and must be protected. In recent weeks we have read in national and international newspapers that there is another horsemeat scandal emanating from Ireland. It would appear that horses have entered the food chain from a licensed facility under the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2018)

Michael Collins: On pages 112 and 113 of A Programme for a Partnership Government, under the agriculture heading, the Government stated that farm families and rural communities must feel the effects of positive economic and social change. The reality is that many farm families are under serious financial pressure due to the fodder crisis. Some cannot pay many of their bills. The association of agricultural...

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Is the Taoiseach standing over what the Minister, Deputy Ross, called us last week?

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Community Employment Schemes Supervisors (9 May 2018)

Michael Collins: 98. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a date has been set for a meeting of the high level forum on community employment supervisor pensions; if his attention has been drawn to the anger and frustration of community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; his views on whether their contribution to improving the life chances of scheme participants and to their...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (9 May 2018)

Michael Collins: 185. To ask the Minister for Health when the changes to the fair deal scheme will be introduced that will allow the scheme to be backdated three years for nursing home residents that pass on their farms and businesses to relatives. [20353/18]

Health Service Reform: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I want to thank Máirín McGrath in Deputy Mattie McGrath's office and Deputy Michael Harty for their work on the motion. I stand to talk on health service reform but, in fact, I could be standing here a year from now and will we have a reformed health service? The programme for Government promised the most fundamental reform of our health service in the history of the State....

Radiological Protection (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Everyone is aware of the danger of high levels of radon. The Minister mentioned a pilot scheme. Perhaps every politician representing a constituency could speak on high levels of cancer in their own communities. I have always felt there is a high level of cancer, particularly lung cancer, in west Cork. The fact radon gas is thought to be the second most prevalent cause of lung cancer...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Business of Select Committee (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Apologies have been received from Deputy Canney who will join us later. Deputy Tony McLoughlin is standing in for Deputy Canney. I ask members to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound system and the broadcasting of the meeting. In accordance with the standard procedures agreed by the Committee on Procedure for paperless committees, all documentation has been...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: The principal purpose of the Bill is to amend the Heritage Act 1995 on foot of the report of the critical review of the Heritage Council, to make provision for the regulation of cutting or burning of vegetation and to provide for clarification of the powers of authorised officers under the Wildlife Acts. The Bill also makes provision to amend the Canals Act 1986 to provide enabling...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Amendments Nos. 20 to 23, inclusive, and 33 are related and may be discussed together.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I am sorry, but does someone have a phone turned on?

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: A phone is interfering with the system.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: Yes.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 May 2018)

Michael Collins: I will ask the Deputy later whether he wants to press his amendment. If that is all right, I will give the final comment to the Minister.