Results 161-180 of 3,327 for speaker:Michael Collins

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...

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

Michael Collins: I am very disappointed with the Minister's response to my suggestion that he set up an independent review. My suggestion is fair and I did not point a finger at him or anybody else. Earlier I read out the facts. There is a massive difference between what has been recorded officially and the reality on the ground. The Minister cannot in any way, shape or form turn this around and say that...

Health Service Funding: Motion [Private Members] (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: The question is where the money is going to. The funny thing was nobody except the Rural Independent Group was opposed to where the children's hospital went. We told Deputies it was in the wrong place and was running over budget. They voted us down and told us we were all mad and off our heads. Look at it now: it is a hoover of the highest order and there is not a head rolling anywhere....

Health Service Funding: Motion [Private Members] (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: I read it and I read it intensely, start to finish. You should have stepped in immediately when you knew those irregularities were there. You should have stood by the people of Belgooly, rather than turning your back and telling them to get out. That is what was told to them-----

Health Service Funding: Motion [Private Members] (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: -----and the staff. It is scandalous the way the staff were treated there.

Health Service Funding: Motion [Private Members] (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: Nobody stood by the staff. Aperee Living is a scandal and you stood idly by instead of kicking them out.

Health Service Funding: Motion [Private Members] (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: I have to answer the Minister of State. She should have stood by the people and did not. The beds are empty tomorrow morning.

Health Service Funding: Motion [Private Members] (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: Remember that. That is all that matters to the people of west Cork.

Health Service Funding: Motion [Private Members] (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: I have to fight for my people.

Health Service Funding: Motion [Private Members] (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: Sorry. She is over time too.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: In the context of the budget, the largest cohort to suffer is working men and women. That is the way they feel. Some people have said to me that if they stayed at home and were on welfare they would come out a hell of a lot better off than they would than if they were working hard every day of the week. They are being hit in every which way with fuel increases and VAT increases for...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: I understand. Last year, Cancer Connect in west Cork was promised at least €50,000. The service has delivered for the people of this country on many fronts over the past number of years and has received no funding from the Government. I was in Lisheen a number of weeks ago, which is raising tens of thousands of euro so the service can operate in a voluntary capacity. Where is the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. The strike is not going to go ahead on Thursday, but there will be a collection of signatures, petitions and so on. However, the clock is ticking because there is going to be a strike on 1 January. At least now there is a chance for the Minister to wake up to this very serious situation. After the next couple of weeks, the clock will start...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education (24 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: This is nothing personal, but I am disappointed. The Minister of State has responsibility for mental health and the elderly. My question relates to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and it is probably no wonder that the Minister, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, is not present given the respect he has shown to date for people in early childcare. The way they...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: Flooding in the past few days has left many parts of County Cork devastated. People's homes and businesses and roads have been destroyed. Areas such as Glandore, Rosscarbery, Clonakilty and Castletownbere have been badly hit once again. Areas such as Midleton, I was told this morning, are like a disaster zone, with a shortage of professional help from anyone, leaving locals having to do...

Middle East and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Statements (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: In the week of the devastating Hamas attack on Israel, which occurred on Saturday, 7 October, we found ourselves confronted with the grim reality of more than 260 innocent festivalgoers, including women, children and the elderly, who tragically lost their lives. Additionally, more than 199 Israelis, including an 85-year-old woman, were taken hostage in Gaza. The death toll surpassed 1,400,...

Trends in Mortality and Estimates of Excess Mortality: Statements (18 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: In recent times, Ireland has seen a remarkable demographic shift, with a 22% increase in the number of individuals aged 65 and over between 2016 and 2022, significantly impacting mortality rates, considering that most deaths occur among older age groups. This demographic change likely contributed to a higher absolute number of deaths. Disturbingly, Ireland has recorded excess all-cause...

Driving Test Waiting Times: Motion [Private Members] (18 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: I move: That Dáil Éireann: acknowledges that: — motorists in certain regions of the country are currently facing waiting times of nearly a year to sit their driving tests, as reported in the latest data from the Road Safety Authority (RSA); — figures released at the end of August highlight significant delays in nearly every driving test centre nationwide,...

Funding for Persons with Disabilities: Motion [Private Members] (17 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: The budget came up short on many fronts but nowhere more importantly than in falling short in the funding for disabilities. Only last night, in the dying seconds, our country avoided a strike by section 39 workers who mainly work with people with disabilities. I recently met representatives of the Irish Wheelchair Association in Clonakilty, both workers and users. I also met people working...