Results 461-480 of 3,645 for speaker:Michael Collins

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: In recent weeks, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, published advice it gave to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, in October 2022 that delaying road projects in Mullingar, Cork, Leixlip, Cahir and Limerick would lead to 77 deaths and 381 serious injuries but he ignored that advice. This ignored report did not even look at our minor roads which are starved of funding. One municipal...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: As the Taoiseach knows, I have warned for years about the potential for an energy crisis and our exposure to elevated prices. Sadly, what I had warned about has come to pass. The current energy crisis has disrupted our economy and driven inflation on a massive scale. It poses real risks to our economy as, like it or not, we are dependent on oil and gas for the functioning of our economy....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, has confirmed that the new facility, which is likely to cost hundreds of millions of euros to build, will be funded by a new levy on consumer gas bills. The Green Party loves taxing the Irish people. It seems to have a fierce habit of that. I presume the Taoiseach will not agree with that. There are already taxes on fuel, as...

Escalation of Violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (14 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: I fully support the calls for a ceasefire, expressing our deep concern over civilian casualties. The recent focus on Gaza's hospitals is atrocious and must stop. Unfortunately, these hospitals are reported to be a potential Hamas headquarters, which raises serious concerns about civilian safety. In fact, Hamas was reported last week to have used communication channels to warn civilians not...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: I am delighted to get the opportunity to speak about this Bill. I think I was the only politician from County Cork, if not Munster, who made an open submission to the Electoral Commission. To be honest, I feel it was ignored, much to the detriment of many the areas in west Cork that have been put into north Cork. The last census proved that the population of west Cork has grown. If I had...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (14 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: 102. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) receives a date for their driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49515/23]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (14 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: 119. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason a person's insurance premium has increased so much (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49341/23]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Funding (14 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: 229. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will allow an organisation (details supplied) to apply for a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49518/23]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (8 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: Yesterday's news of a case of BSE found in an Irish animal has halted valuable exports of beef to the Chinese market. This could not come at a worse time for Irish agriculture, which has been hit from every direction both from Europe but more alarmingly, from our own Government, which continues to treat farmers like environmental terrorists. This is from the farmers' mouths at recent...

Home Care Workers and Home Support Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (8 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: In my view, elder care is at a very low ebb. As such, I commend Labour on putting forward this motion, which is an important one. It is impossible to get home help for many of my own constituents. People who are trying to get out of hospital cannot get out of hospital. It is a sad situation that they find themselves in, having to stay in hospital before a home care package can be put in...

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: The budget for 2024 glaringly falls short of addressing the pressing housing issues that continue to plague our society, exposing a litany of deficiencies in its proposed measures. Most notably, the absence of any increase in voted capital expenditure compared to the level set in 2023 raises serious doubts about the Government's commitment to tackling the crisis. It is abundantly clear that...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Housing Policy (7 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: 299. To ask the Minister for Finance if, considering that the average cost of a house in Ireland is currently estimated at €305,000, and recognising that prices vary significantly in cities like Cork and Dublin, he will provide a breakdown of the approximate income levels that individuals or families would need to afford a home in these high-cost areas; to provide similar insights for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (7 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: 799. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide information and statistics on the average processing time for granting work licences to nurses from countries outside the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47482/23]

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (7 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: I move amendment No. 1: In page 8, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “Report on abolition and replacement of universal social charge 3.(1) The Minister shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, produce a report on abolishing the universal social charge for all those who earn less than €70,000 per year. (2) The Minister shall, within three months...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Usage (26 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: 62. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Government’s agreed decision on derogation will not be as severe as anticipated for west Cork farmers (details supplied). [42055/23]

Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2023: Second Stage (25 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: I cannot understand why the Government is giving electricity benefits at all. It is robbing the people with one hand and giving them little tokens with the other. The bottom line here is that people are paying through the neck at the filling stations because the Government continues to increase the price of fuel, the price of a bag of coal for a person trying to light a fire and the price...

Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2023: Second Stage (25 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: I know that, and I am too, but-----

Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2023: Second Stage (25 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: -----I am trying my best to get him to understand. He said to me last week that he was across the corridor. I have never personalised anything against a Minister, but I do have an issue with green policy that has pushed people into using electricity they cannot afford to use.

Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (25 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: Our neutrality is of huge value to this country. More of late I have seen Ministers questioning it and kicking it around as if it is a political football. It is not a political football. It is of utmost importance to this country. I will look at two reasons. Number one is that our Defence Forces are poorly funded. In recent times we have had helicopters flying and losing doors and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pre-Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Discussion (25 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister and the officials accompanying him. The sustainability impact assessment of fishing opportunities states the waters surrounding Ireland contain some of the most productive fishing grounds in the EU and that we have a duty of care and a national self-interest to protect our biological riches and, as such, they must be managed responsibly and sustainably. No one will...