This discussion is centred on extending certain provisions of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. This extension aims to allow the hospitality sector to continue providing outdoor seating areas for the sale and consumption of alcohol. Independent Ireland and I are in full agreement with this extension.
This is crucial for offering clarity and certainty to business, patrons, local authorities and An Garda S…
TDs / Michael Collins
Michael Collins
Portrait: © Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence) · source file
326
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
214,846
words spoken in the chamber
Across 610 contributions
370
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
93
topics asked about
Across 20 departments
From the Dáil chamber only: committee meetings are not in this archive.
What they ask about
The subject headings the Oireachtas filed their questions under.
Who they ask
The departments their questions were addressed to.
Month by month
Low months are usually recesses, when the Dáil does not sit. The archive runs to 22 October 2026.
Questions asked 326 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 610 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 1 |
| January 2025 | 7 | 5 |
| February 2025 | 16 | 31 |
| March 2025 | 9 | 37 |
| April 2025 | 3 | 28 |
| May 2025 | 27 | 36 |
| June 2025 | 6 | 29 |
| July 2025 | 12 | 25 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 18 | 23 |
| October 2025 | 10 | 28 |
| November 2025 | 5 | 44 |
| December 2025 | 18 | 33 |
| January 2026 | 35 | 54 |
| February 2026 | 25 | 37 |
| March 2026 | 2 | 33 |
| April 2026 | 76 | 54 |
| May 2026 | 29 | 29 |
| June 2026 | 12 | 31 |
| July 2026 | 3 | 15 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 2 |
| September 2026 | 3 | 14 |
| October 2026 | 10 | 21 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 264 contributions in the regular slots, such as Leaders' Questions and Priority Questions. Speech from the chair is not counted.
Asked about similar topics
Worked out by computer from the subject headings of each TD's questions, giving more weight to headings few TDs use. It shows shared subjects, not shared views.
Party, constituency and offices
- constituency Cork South-West 29 November 2024 to now
- party Independent Ireland 29 November 2024 to now
However, it is all about seating, and the rates for seating are coming-----
I know that, and I respect that, but I am only talking about the importance of having it there. The fact is that they now have it, but they are being punished for having it there by being rated. It is difficult for these business. In a few months, they are trying to turn over a profit and make enough to keep staff on board. These businesses are paying for rates, electricity, staff, VAT, PRSI, PAYE, telephones, Intern…
The Social Democrats have tabled a motion in the Dáil that calls for the Government to increase the number of multidenominational schools and to phase out religious patronage in special education. I have listened carefully today to all the reasons we should remove church patronage. There are also those of us who oppose these statements and who argue that religious institutions play a significant role in the community…
For the past five weeks or so I have been looking for a debate on agriculture weeks relating to the ACRE payments. There are 9,000 farmers waiting for their payments in respect of 2023 and 2024. Some 2,000 have not received payments for 2023. We also have a crisis with tuberculosis, TB, which is costing farmers €150 million with the highest rates of TB since 2003, up 36%. We also need to debate water quality in relat…
Europe, like Ireland, is a hugely different place from what it was in the 1970s. While we are here making statements on Europe Day, fishermen in this country would like a statement on what they have described as the "true picture of the alarming current state of the Irish fishing industry under EU 'management'".
It states:
- 60,000 - the volume of blue whiting quota the Irish pelagic fleet is allowed annually by th…
The recent Farrelly commission report on the Grace foster home abuse case has resulted in much public debate and concern. This investigation took almost ten years and cost about €13.6 million. It found evidence of financial abuse and a serious lack of oversight by the South-Eastern Health Board and the HSE. However, the report did not find clear evidence of physical or sexual abuse, nor did it hold several officials …
One of the main issues affecting countless families is childcare. The Dáil recognises the significant challenges many parents face in affording and finding suitable childcare. The shortage of childcare places has left many children on waiting lists. The high costs, sometimes exceeding €1,000 per month, place an immense additional financial burden on families. We must acknowledge that childcare workers are not paid en…
This motion highlights real failures in special education, and Independent Ireland says it is long overdue. We agree that too many children have been left without places. That is not just a statistic; it is heartbreak in every community. We have said loudly before that a national plan for special education is needed rather than sticking plasters. We support Labour's call for a centralised system but it must also be k…
A few weeks ago, I raised with the Taoiseach some scandalous transactions by a number of financial advisers that have led to genuine investors getting stung for millions. Since raising this issue, I have been contacted by numerous people who have had their honest savings robbed. The last time I spoke on this, I knew of around ten people who were affected. Now, I have at least 60 people who are in this situation. The …
Yes. I wrote to the Central Bank two weeks ago and I have heard nothing back since. There are legal cases being taken at the moment. The fraud squad is also involved. When I raised this question in the Dáil the last time, the fraud squad contacted people immediately afterwards. I sent the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance two sample cases this morning. I respect that the Taoiseach needs to look at that in his ow…
We are here today to discuss the final draft of the revised national planning framework, a crucial step towards Ireland's sustainable future. It is imperative that we address the acute infrastructure challenges in the areas of housing and transport. West Cork suffers from inadequate sewerage systems, particularly in areas like Dunmanway, Goleen, Shannonvale, Rosscarbery and Ballydehob. This makes even basic housing d…
I have been asking for the last number of weeks at Business Committee meetings for a debate on a farming issue. There are 9,000 farmers without ACRES payments - 2023 payments and 2024 payments. These farmers need to pay their bills urgently. Tomorrow morning, with a carbon tax up on people's backs again, it is becoming impossible to live. We need a debate here to see where these payments are and why they are not bein…
Another carbon tax increase will hit people hard in the pocket tomorrow morning. Last October, carbon tax increases hit motorists in the pocket as petrol and diesel increased from €56 per tonne to €63.50 per tonne. Tomorrow's increase will hit people using gas, home heating oil, coal and briquettes. Household gas bills will rise by €17. The cost of home heating oil will rise by €19 per 900 l. It now costs €160 extra …
A wrong that has been done to a child is a wrong we should all be ashamed of. Today, we gather in the shadow of not one scandal but a series of failures that stretch across the institution entrusted with the care of our youngest and most vulnerable children's health. First, there was the horror of the Temple Street spinal surgery scandal, where children already burdened with illness were subject to surgeries that rai…
Following on from my question two weeks ago in the Dáil about Ireland retaining our fishing rights off Rockall, in recent years the population of bluefin tuna has significantly increased. Denmark and Norway have successfully applied to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and received quotas, while the Japanese fleet is fishing along the 200-mile international limit to freeze bluefin tu…
I am delighted to get the opportunity to speak on this debate today. I sit on the Business Committee, and I have been seeking this debate for five weeks. It has taken a hell of a long time to get here. I mean absolutely no disrespect to the Minister of State, but the senior Minister should be here. The huge issue of wastewater and Uisce Éireann - whatever aspect of it we want to talk about - is a national issue and a…
The role played by some financial advisers in this State needs to be investigated immediately. The issue of financial advisers taking people's money for investments and the client getting no return for that same investment is both a local and national one. The issue has been aired on RTÉ on more than one occasion, most recently in March on RTÉ's "The Complaints Bureau", which reported on how loan notes were given to …
This scheme by the financial adviser seems similar to the Dolphin Trust, now known as German Property Group, which promised high interest payments on original investors' capital before collapsing, owing £1 billion and catching 1,800 Irish investors for €100 million. I raised this issue briefly last week in the Dáil and received an email last night from another investor who has now realised he has lost €500,000 of mon…
Last week, a staggering 9,300 farmers were waiting since early 2024 on delayed ACRES payments. Some 2,302 of these farmers are waiting for their 2023 payment. We also have a tariff crisis facing Irish agriculture. Farmers also want to discuss – I met the IFA on this – Ireland’s derogation scheme. It is now about pointing the direction for Ireland and we need to have a discussion on agriculture this week in the Dáil.
Cancer Connect, the hugely successful cancer transport service, is available throughout County Cork and is delivered on the ground by a team of 430 volunteer drivers of several vehicles. The years 2023 and 2024 alone saw between 6,000 and 7,000 passenger journeys recorded. The impact this transport has on the lives of those on a cancer journey and the extended community is extensive. Cancer Connect has gone beyond th…
As this is my first time addressing the Minister of State, I welcome her to her position and look forward to working with her in the time ahead. The Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 aims to help employees who are forced to retire before the State pension age of 66. It allows employees to choose not to retire at the contractual age if it is below 66 unless the employer has a valid reason. The Bill al…
I am talking about this gentleman who is beyond the retirement age.
Will the Ceann Comhairle let me talk and let me finish my bit of time?
It is very relevant. In fairness to a person who has the pension and is trying to enjoy life at 75 years of age, that is unfair. That needs to be looked at as part of this Bill going forward. We certainly should look at that. We should look at Bus Éireann as well. Up until 2008 CIÉ pensioners were awarded increases to their pensions in line with pay increases to active staff.