Results 3,621-3,640 of 3,648 for speaker:Michael Collins

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (14 Jul 2016)

Michael Collins: 4. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to take action with regard to mobile telephone operators (details supplied). [21837/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (14 Jul 2016)

Michael Collins: I acknowledge the work of the Minister of State on broadband since taking office. Another issue I wish to discuss is the lack of mobile telephone coverage. There are very serious issues, in particular, in rural Ireland where mobile telephone coverage has reduced considerably in recent months instead of progressing. Masts have been taken down in several parts of west Cork, leaving areas...

Regulation of Charities: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jul 2016)

Michael Collins: The enactment of Part 4 of the Charities Act 2009, which gives the Charities Regulatory Authority statutory powers of investigation with respect to charitable organisations, is long overdue. It is a shame that the recent revelations regarding the charity Console and other instances of poor governance in the sector, including in the case of Rehab and the Central Remedial Clinic, had to be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (12 Jul 2016)

Michael Collins: 513. To ask the Minister for Health if those receiving a pension from the United Kingdom and living here will still be entitled to a non-means tested medical card despite the United Kingdom no longer being part of the European Union, as in the case of a person (details supplied). [20750/16]

Private Members' Business - Broadband Service Provision: Motion [Private Members] (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Collins: I am delighted to address the issue of broadband here today. The importance of the digital economy cannot be underestimated. Broadband is a huge resource for businesses and there are significant growth opportunities for businesses that trade online. It opens up a global market for rural tourism and for small artisan producers. It is also a huge resource for schools, private homes and...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Collins: I welcome what the Minister said about even expenditure across the country. This is a considerable issue, especially in rural communities. In representing my community, I met representatives of the West Cork Arts Centre and learned they believe the centre is receiving funding at the lower scale. If there is a carryover of €6 million, it is only fair that this money would be evenly...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Collins: The Minister might be answering the same question twice. Deputy Healy-Rae referred to hedge cutting and things moved on. I would like to go back to it. We are talking about a closed period. Obviously, a Bill is going through. I do not think there is a full realisation of the situation that is out there. I can only talk about Cork County Council. Going back many years ago, it had full...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Collins: A number of issues have been raised. I referred to the post offices and, in fairness, the Minister clarified it quite well. I have a worry, however. The Minister spoke about bringing in communities to run post offices. That would be a serious move. Running shops is one thing, but running post offices would be quite a serious move. The judging of the funding of post offices is on their...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Collins: The rural social scheme.

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Collins: delete this

Energy Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: I know, but it is a hugely important issue.

Energy Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: That is appreciated. Only 35% of Irish premises have broadband speeds of 10 Mbps or higher. More significantly, only 69% of Irish homes have broadband faster than a modest 4 Mbps. Ireland ranks No. 42 in the world in the distribution of fast broadband services. Commercial companies advertise broadband speeds of 240 Mbps in cities and towns, while those in rural areas subsist on speeds of...

Energy Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, on his appointment as Minister for Communication, Energy and Natural Resources. I have no doubt that he will be an excellent Minister. While the Energy Bill makes some positive advancements, I worry that it fails to make any mark on energy generation in Ireland. It should have included provisions to ensure the wholesale purchasers of...

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: As a result of the Brexit vote, I would like to raise issues of concern to the constituency of Cork South-West. West Cork depends heavily on tourism, farming, fishing and small business, SMEs. In terms of tourism, the Wild Atlantic Way is a huge asset to our area, with thousands of visitors coming into west Cork each year. While these tourists come from across the world, a large percentage...

Revised Estimates for Public Services 2016 (Resumed) (22 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: One can never over-emphasise the importance of the partnership between An Garda Síochána and the community in continuing to prevent and detect crime and maintaining a safe environment for everyone. The role of our police force is of vital importance to us as a civilised society. The Garda Síochána Inspectorate report Policing in Ireland states that "community policing...

The Arts: Motion [Private Members] (22 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: I wish the Minister the very best in her new role as Minister for regional development, rural affairs, arts and the Gaeltacht. It is a huge role and she has a huge task ahead. Arts are a fundamental part of our society, not only because of their intrinsic value but also due to the measurable impact on our physical health, mental health, social well-being, our education system, our national...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (21 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: 340. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline her views on the necessity to ensure that funding for the arts is distributed equally across the regions and whether specific areas (details supplied) are not receiving an adequate or equal supply of such funding. [17163/16]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (21 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: 498. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on an issue (details supplied) regarding fishing. [17160/16]

Estimates for Public Services 2016 (Resumed) (16 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: According to the study of the impact of reconfiguration on emergency and urgent care networks, SIREN, the farther one lives from a centre of excellence, the poorer the outcome in the event of a serious emergency. The SIREN report found that, while survival rates in Dublin were the best in the country, those in the south - counties Cork and Kerry - were the worst. This is in stark contrast...

Estimates for Public Services 2016 (15 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: I wish the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, good luck in his new position as Minister for Education and Skills. I welcome the review of special needs provision in schools that will be carried out by the National Council for Special Education. I congratulate the Minister on his pledge to place another 860 special needs assistants in schools in the coming academic year. I welcome the...