Results 981-1,000 of 3,639 for speaker:Michael Collins

Energy Security: Motion [Private Members] (21 Sep 2022)

Michael Collins: I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — as a direct consequence of haywire Government-induced energy policies, Ireland is the worst-prepared country in Europe for an energy crisis, and the possibility of rolling blackouts this winter would not only be catastrophic but is a very real prospect; — the lack of a coherent Government energy policy to provide...

National Retrofit Plan: Motion [Private Members] (20 Sep 2022)

Michael Collins: This simply is not working. The Minister of State will probably say that he was going to stand up and say that anyway. However, I know that it is not working on the ground. The people of my constituency are telling me that retrofitting and the warmer homes scheme are not working. The funny thing is, if we go back 15, 16 or 17 years to when the Government rolled out the scheme initially...

An Bord Pleanála: Statements (15 Sep 2022)

Michael Collins: The question here is whether An Bord Pleanála is fit for purpose. Is it just another quango of politically-appointed cronies on excessive salaries acting unlawfully and costing the taxpayer millions in legal costs? Why would the Minister allow An Bord Pleanála to carry out an internal review, which in other words means it is investigating itself? How much did the senior counsel...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Sep 2022)

Michael Collins: Last week's recommendation from the Mental Health Commission to drastically reduce beds in Bantry General Hospital's mental health unit from 18 to 11 is a huge retrograde step for mental health services in west Cork. The hospital covers a population of 180,000 from Castletownbere to Kinsale, as well as parts of Kerry. Following its inspection in 2019, the Mental Health Commission found the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Sep 2022)

Michael Collins: We only have hours to save the beds.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (14 Sep 2022)

Michael Collins: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing this Topical Issues debate, which is a huge issue for the people of Cork South-West. The Minister of State will be well aware of the recent recommendation from the Mental Health Commission to reduce the number of beds in the Bantry Centre for Mental Health Care and Recovery from 18 to 11. This is a huge retrograde step for mental health services in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (14 Sep 2022)

Michael Collins: Despite costly inspectorial reports and recommendations, this centre has had no financial input over the years. The service is vital in catering for mental health care and recovery for a huge population, comprising over 180,000 people. I commend the staff in the unit, who must be working under pressure because there has been no investment in the centre. Now they are worried about their...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (14 Sep 2022)

Michael Collins: I am sorry but it is making people very angry. People are very angered over this in Cork South-West.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (14 Sep 2022)

Michael Collins: I might need Bantry hospital myself.

Measures to Assist with Household Bills: Motion [Private Members] (14 Sep 2022)

Michael Collins: The crisis this country finds itself in is mainly down to bad Government decisions. The Government has gone to lengths to blame everyone but itself through this recession. The Rural Independent Group has been warning of this shocking recession coming. Instead of taking fast action, the Government has thrown gallons of petrol on the fire. The carbon tax that was heaped on the people of...

Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Commission of Investigation Report: Statements (14 Sep 2022)

Michael Collins: This commission was established in June 2015 to investigate certain transactions, activities and management decisions at the IBRC. The report of the commission of investigation on the transaction in relation to Siteserv and principles and policies within IBRC on the interest rates was published by the Taoiseach on Wednesday, 7 September 2022. I ask the Ministers of State what has changed...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (14 Jul 2022)

Michael Collins: 542. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if foster care children will be included in the back-to-school allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39144/22]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (14 Jul 2022)

Michael Collins: 543. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will exclude family means testing for persons who can qualify for the carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39145/22]

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)

Michael Collins: Governments throughout Europe are taking emergency steps to shield their citizens from the worsening energy crisis. Even the Green Party coalition in Germany is preparing to reopen coal plants while other governments have moved to cut energy taxes. In Ireland, our Government has remained the outlier, doing either nothing or much too little. Even Frans Timmermans, the second most senior...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Jul 2022)

Michael Collins: Farmers are going through a most horrendous time in this country with crippling fertiliser costs as well as the price of green diesel going up €1 per litre due to carbon tax and VAT increases on fuel as the Government stands idly by. I met members of the IFA and other farm organisations in west Cork over the weekend. They told me of the mental stress farmers are going through as many...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Jul 2022)

Michael Collins: That is shocking.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Jul 2022)

Michael Collins: There are costs.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Jul 2022)

Michael Collins: What is the percentage?

Rent Reduction Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jul 2022)

Michael Collins: Every weekend my clinics, like those of all Deputies, are full of people looking for help with housing, including families who work hard but will never be able to afford to purchase a home of their own and families who do not qualify for any State help. These are the people falling between the cracks. The Government's Housing for All plan is nothing more than a rebranding of old Fine Gael...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Health Services Staff (12 Jul 2022)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister for his reply. Three weeks ago, I was invited to a house in my constituency to meet a person suffering from Parkinson's disease. When I got there, I found out that three people in that family have Parkinson's disease. The sad thing is that I could not advise them where to go. The only help I could offer them was Tony Wilkinson. I hope he is tuning in to these...