Results 21-40 of 3,644 for speaker:Michael Collins

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: As this is my first time addressing the Minister of State, I welcome her to her position and look forward to working with her in the time ahead. The Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 aims to help employees who are forced to retire before the State pension age of 66. It allows employees to choose not to retire at the contractual age if it is below 66 unless the employer has...

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: I am talking about this gentleman who is beyond the retirement age.

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Will the Ceann Comhairle let me talk and let me finish my bit of time?

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: It is very relevant. In fairness to a person who has the pension and is trying to enjoy life at 75 years of age, that is unfair. That needs to be looked at as part of this Bill going forward. We certainly should look at that. We should look at Bus Éireann as well. Up until 2008 CIÉ pensioners were awarded increases to their pensions in line with pay increases to active staff.

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: No increase in pensions has been approved by the CIÉ board since 2008. The whole point I am trying to make is that this could also be brought in under this Bill. These are people who have not had a pension increase. They are in the Ceann Comhairle's constituency and in my constituency. Since 2008, for 16 years, despite repeated requests and representations the majority of CIÉ...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Cancer Connect, the hugely successful cancer transport service, is available throughout County Cork and is delivered on the ground by a team of 430 volunteer drivers of several vehicles. The years 2023 and 2024 alone saw between 6,000 and 7,000 passenger journeys recorded. The impact this transport has on the lives of those on a cancer journey and the extended community is extensive....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Last week, a staggering 9,300 farmers were waiting since early 2024 on delayed ACRES payments. Some 2,302 of these farmers are waiting for their 2023 payment. We also have a tariff crisis facing Irish agriculture. Farmers also want to discuss – I met the IFA on this – Ireland’s derogation scheme. It is now about pointing the direction for Ireland and we need to have a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: This scheme by the financial adviser seems similar to the Dolphin Trust, now known as German Property Group, which promised high interest payments on original investors' capital before collapsing, owing £1 billion and catching 1,800 Irish investors for €100 million. I raised this issue briefly last week in the Dáil and received an email last night from another investor who...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: The role played by some financial advisers in this State needs to be investigated immediately. The issue of financial advisers taking people's money for investments and the client getting no return for that same investment is both a local and national one. The issue has been aired on RTÉ on more than one occasion, most recently in March on RTÉ's "The Complaints Bureau", which...

Diverting Young People from Criminal Activity: Statements (Resumed) (3 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: The foundation of my political career lies in my beginnings within the voluntary community sector. I firmly believe everybody should engage with their communities in some capacity. Recently, I addressed the pressing issue of the lack of gardaí in rural Ireland. We have witnessed the closure of Garda stations without replacements. This has led to a decline in the sense of safety that...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (3 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: The people of Union Hall, Glandore and surrounding areas are rightly frustrated with the progress on promised improvements to their local pier. These promises are going on for years, and in that time, they have had visits from the Taoiseach and the former Minister for agriculture and the marine, looking at what needs to be done and raising the hopes of local fishermen and the tourism sector...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: I thank the Tánaiste. Last October, the women of this country were promised free HRT, with implementation set for January. We are now into April but nowhere nearer a start date. It is incorrect for the Minister for Health to place the blame on the Irish Pharmacy Union. The delays are on the side of the Department of Health. Many people are contacting pharmacists expecting prescribed...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Last October, the former Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, announced that hormone replacement therapy, HRT, would be made free, which was widely welcomed. However, despite the scheme being scheduled to roll out in January, it has yet to be implemented, leaving women to continue paying for their medication. The Irish Pharmacy Union has highlighted several issues, including insufficient...

Estimates for Public Services 2025 (1 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: I congratulate the Minister. This is my first time speaking with him from the opposite side. I wish him the very best and look forward to working with him on numerous issues.

Estimates for Public Services 2025 (1 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: Today, I am not armed with some briefing note drafted by civil servants far removed from the realities of rural Ireland, but with the voice of the people I represent. People in places like Goleen, Adrigole and Drimoleague who have not seen a community garda in years. We are told the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act was the most significant reform in two decades but to be honest,...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: We are talking about a vote of confidence in the Ceann Comhairle. While circumstances have led us to this incredible situation, it is unfair that the Ceann Comhairle should share all the blame. I attended every business and Dáil reform meeting of the new Dáil. The antics of some leave a lot to be desired and it leaves a bad taste in this Dáil that will not be forgotten for a...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: This weekend's CSO figures on visitors to this country have cast a serious doubt over our once glorious tourism sector. The figures show a drop of 20% in the number of visitors in January and 30% in February. Visitor spending has dropped 31% in those two months compared to last year and overnight bed bookings are down 33%. This is a concern for cities like Dublin, Galway, Cork, Waterford...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I agree with the previous speakers, but there are other issues of serious concern too. Today we need time to debate farmers' payments and the delay in same, up to months for some people. A staggering 9,300 farmers are waiting since early 2024 on delayed agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, payments, 2,300 of whom are waiting for their payments since...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Administration (1 Apr 2025)

Michael Collins: 434. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that the Diocese of Cork and Ross is running a pilot programme in State-funded primary schools whereby a US evangelical Catholic organisation (details supplied) is facilitating retreats for children participating in the sacrament of confirmation; who is providing the funding for this organisation; the kind of visas being...

Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Mar 2025)

Michael Collins: I join Deputy O'Flynn in congratulating the Minister on his new role. This is the first chance I have had to do so. I look forward to working with him and knowing his history, it will be easy to work with him. This new law is a response to a Supreme Court decision from 22 January 2024 in the case of John O'Meara and others against the Minister for Social Protection. John O'Meara lost...