Results 501-520 of 3,349 for speaker:Michael Collins

Inshore Fishing: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: I move: That Dáil Éireann: recognises that: - the Irish inshore fleet comprises approximately 91 per cent of all our fishing vessels, and supports between 2,500 and 3,000 full-time jobs in rural and coastal communities; - the National Inshore Fishermen's Association, the representative body for the small inshore fishermen in Ireland, have been highlighting their serious...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: I will give a short opening statement followed by questions and answers. I hope the Ministers will not play down the clock. I certainly will not. The proposed deal relates to the potential acquisition of 100,000 ha of forestry across the country by Gresham House, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange. That company has been in existence since 1857. Is it any wonder that its share...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister. When did the Minister of State become aware of the deal?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: The Minister of State did not know about it in March 2021.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: How were the Minister and Minister of State consulted and informed about the deal, formally or informally?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: How was the Minister informed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: What did the Minister do, if anything, after becoming aware of the deal?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: Was this issue-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: Was this issue discussed at Cabinet level at any time?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: Did the Minister or the Minister of State give any indication to the CEO or board of Coillte after they were told about this deal on 16 December that they had an issue with it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: Why did the Minister not instruct Coillte when he became aware of the deal to at least pause it pending an independent review?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: I only have two questions left. Why did the Minister not instruct the CEO of Coillte to pause the deal when they met last week pending a full review incorporating socioeconomic and cost-benefit analyses on behalf of the taxpayer?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: We accept that Coillte is not selling off the taxpayer's woodlands, but if a semi-State company has to team up with a UK-based private investment group to plant new forest, it raises legitimate questions about what Coillte is doing and why we should have a State forestry agency at all.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: Under the Forestry Act 1988, the Minister has powers and the company "shall comply with every direction given to it under [section 38]." Unfortunately, the Minister has not used this power. This section needs to be read clearly by the Minister and Minister of State.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Appointments (25 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: 146. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans that are in place for the appointment of a State solicitor to west Cork to replace a person (details supplied) who retired as State solicitor in December 2022, after 36 years of service.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3512/23]

Forestry Sector: Motion [Private Members] (24 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: Hear, hear.

Forestry Sector: Motion [Private Members] (24 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: Ireland has experienced a major crisis in its forestry licensing system in recent years. The crisis has been caused by a number of factors but is mainly driven by a lack of support at Government level, including a lack of funding for the regulatory agency responsible for managing the country's forests. A shortage of skilled staff and a backlog of applications for forestry licences has led...

Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill 2022: Second Stage (24 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: We all know and recognise that organ and tissue donation is a service that saves lives. It improves lives and has better health benefits, as well as cost benefits. Ireland has the highest rate of donation in the world, at 20.3 donors per million of the population, but there is no doubt but that there has to be an opt-out system. A family must consent to any organ donation. In my view,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (24 Jan 2023)

Michael Collins: 201. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an NCT for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2739/23]