Results 1-20 of 3,337 for speaker:Michael Collins

Agriculture: Statements (4 May 2016)

Michael Collins: I am very honoured to speak here on behalf of the people of west Cork. I wish to raise an important issue concerning not only the farming community but one that also poses a real risk to public health and safety. I refer to the Mercosur deal which is a proposed trade deal between South American countries and the EU which will result in the importation of up to 80,000 tonnes of beef into EU...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (4 May 2016)

Michael Collins: 91. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will oppose the proposed deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur trade bloc to allow thousands of tons of cheap South American beef into the European Union; his views on the effectiveness of the regulations governing traceability and inspections regarding health and safety over the past 30 years; on the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employment Support Services (25 May 2016)

Michael Collins: 185. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to release the Indecon report which was commissioned by his Department over a year ago (details supplied). [12006/16]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TAMS Applications (25 May 2016)

Michael Collins: 329. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm that an application under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme will be approved within the next month as farmers need to commence works during the summer period (details supplied). [12128/16]

Election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle (2 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: I am honoured to support the nomination of Deputy Mattie McGrath to the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. First elected to Dáil Éireann in 2007, Deputy Mattie McGrath has been a champion of ordinary people. His involvement in organisations such as Muintir na Tíre tells us what type of person he is. He supports the principles of care, neighbourliness, self-help and...

Leaders' Questions (8 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: As of 2015, more than 500,000 people aged over 65 are living in Ireland. In the next 30 years this figure will double. It is vital that the current Government prepare for our ageing population. It has been Government policy since 1960 to support older people to stay at home for as long as possible. However, a recent report carried out by Age Action, the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland and...

Leaders' Questions (8 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: Could the Taoiseach again clarify whether it is the intention of the Department of Health to privatise the home help service in the future? I urge the Taoiseach to support the home help service as we know it. The workers involved have tirelessly cared for the elderly. Many of them only get 30 minutes to deal with an elderly person on a daily basis, to carry out numerous tasks and take many...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Operation (8 Jun 2016)

Michael Collins: 339. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to immediately review provisions of community employment scheme workers. [15009/16]

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...

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...

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]

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...