Results 141-160 of 3,754 for speaker:Michael Collins

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...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Michael Collins: Everyone in the Dáil has someone close to them suffer from cancer at one stage or another. As I stand here, I express my heartfelt thanks to the Irish Cancer Society and to all who work and care for those suffering from cancer. This coming Friday is daffodil day and I hope people come out to support the cancer society in whatever way they can. A cancer diagnosis turns people's...

Triple Lock Mechanism and Irish Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (26 Mar 2025)

Michael Collins: What is being proposed by the Government is a direct threat to Ireland's long-standing neutrality. I will not stay silent while it is being chipped away bit by bit. The triple lock mechanism is not some red tape dreamt up in Brussels; it is a safeguard, which means that Irish troops cannot be sent abroad unless three things happen: Government approval, a vote in the Dáil and,...

Triple Lock Mechanism and Irish Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (26 Mar 2025)

Michael Collins: A referendum is what is needed so that the people have a say.

Triple Lock Mechanism and Irish Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (26 Mar 2025)

Michael Collins: A referendum is the proper place for that. The people of Ireland would send a very clear message to the Government about their feelings on this matter, but it will not allow a referendum on the matter. The Government knows the people do not support this direction, so instead of asking, it is sneaking it through. The Government tells us it is about flexibility and not letting one...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2025)

Michael Collins: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. It looks like, no matter what we say here, the Government is going to railroad these changes through. It is very clear to the good, honest and hard-working people of this country that this is what the Taoiseach was going to do anyway. He has to be straight and honest. What is the deal he has done with Deputy Michael Lowry that has him spellbound? We know the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2025)

Michael Collins: We need to know. The taxpayer needs to know. The ordinary man and woman who cannot afford to pay weekly bills need to know here and now. They know it is a sleazy deal that taxpayers must pay heavily for. On top of that, the Taoiseach wants them to ask planted questions in this House to make a mockery of the Irish people in Dáil Éireann. I ask the Taoiseach to come clean on...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2025)

Michael Collins: Do not let it cost us our democracy also.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2025)

Michael Collins: If we go ahead today with Government proposals on giving extra time for Government-backing TDs in Opposition time, it shows how far this Government is capable of going in eroding the democracy of the island of Ireland.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2025)

Michael Collins: Our general election took place on 29 November 2024, and for a couple of months a Government had to be put together. On 22 January, the Dáil sat and for the first time was forced to call off Dáil proceedings so an agreement could be made to bring this speaking row to an end. All of this time we the Opposition were united on one front: that Deputy Lowry's group had a right to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2025)

Michael Collins: Every effort by the Government since has been to do everything but that. On the morning of 23 January, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste met with us leaders to end this row and let the Dáil get back to the business it had to do - elect the Taoiseach, set up committees - and we all agreed we would work together to create a solution on this hugely important issue for the country. Less...