Joanne Collins
Agricultural Panel · Sinn Féin · Ireland
“I am going to speak to amendments Nos. 2, 4 and 8. Amendment No. 2 makes it absolutely clear that the strategic emergency gas reserve is exactly that: an emergency reserve. It cannot become another source of gas for day-to-day commercial supply or market management.”
“(3) The Minister must mandate that the CRU carries out an assessment on the impact of the expenses incurred on household bills under this Act and all future Acts relating to construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of a Strategic Emergency Gas Reserve.”. I will keep this very brief.”
“I move amendment No. 6: In page 10, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: " State-led 5 . (1) The Strategic Emergency Gas Reserve constructed, operated and maintained under this Act and all future Acts relating to its construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning will be a State-led asset.”
“Yes, I am not going to give out. Regardless of what is said to me I am going to be nice today on our last day. I echo what is being said about everybody enjoying their break and the thanks to all the staff in here. It can be very daunting when you first come in but everybody makes you feel like you can do it. It is great to work here.”
“I move amendment No. 7: In page 10, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: " Gas demand 5 . (1) The Minister shall ensure that a Strategic Emergency Gas Reserve established under this Act and all future Acts relating to its construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning does not lead to an increase in gas demand.”
“I move amendment No. 10: In page 10, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: “Decommissioning 5. The Minister shall, within 12 months of the commencement of this Act, outline a plan for decommissioning any Strategic Emergency Gas Reserve constructed, operated, maintained or decommissioned under this Act and all future Acts relat…”
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“I acknowledge the work done by An Garda Síochána and the road safety campaigners, who do their best to educate and enforce the law. However, enforcement alone will not solve the crisis. We need a multifaceted approach, one that involves investment in infrastructure, stronger penalties for dangerous driving and a serious commitment to road safety education at an early age. In County Limerick, we have seen too many tragic incidents on roads such as the N21 and the N69, and on many of our rural and regional roads. There is an urgent need for increased road maintenance funding to fix dangerous sections of these roads before they claim more lives.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. I speak today on an issue impacting on every community in Ireland but that is particularly urgent in my area, County Limerick. Every year, we see the devastating impact of road collisions on families, friends and communities. Nationally, 2024 was one of the worst years of road fatalities in almost a decade. Unfortunately, Limerick was no exception. Behind every statistic is a life lost, a family grieving and a community shaken. The roads in rural Ireland, and especially in Limerick, pose unique challenges. Many of our roads are narrow, with poor visibility, inadequate lighting and, in some cases, dangerous surfaces due to a lack of maintenance. Speeding, reckless driving and drink- and drug-driving remain persistent problems, as does the increase in the use of mobile phones while driving.”
“This amendment also introduces a clear protocol for handling incidents where there may be evidence of unlawful interference or criminal activity. If investigators suspect foul play, they must be required to immediately notify the appropriate security and law enforcement agencies, both in Ireland and internationally. This is a critical safeguard to ensure that serious incidents are not treated solely as safety matters when there may be broader issues of concern. Furthermore, this amendment will familiarise people with how the national accident investigation office should collaborate with other agencies, which includes issues such as evidence collection, site management and witness interviews. Having clear written protocols in place will prevent jurisdictional conflicts and ensure the investigations proceed smoothly and effectively.”
“I move amendment No. 12: In page 14, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: “(4) The annual report will also identify the safety recommendations issued and action (by whatever body or authority) taken or planned in accordance with recommendations issued previously.”. Amendment No. 12, is all about strengthening co-operation between the MAIU and other authorities. When a maritime accident occurs, multiple agencies may be involved, whether it is An Garda Síochána in the case of criminal investigations, authorities identifying victims, or international bodies with a stake in the incident. This amendment would impose a duty on investigators to co-operate fully with these authorities, ensuring that investigations are not carried out in silos.”
“I move amendment No. 11: In page 13, after line 39, to insert the following: “(3) The Minister shall ensure all investigators undergo training and continuing professional development programmes in order to ensure standards in investigations are fully compliant with best practice.”.”
“I move amendment No. 10: In page 10, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following: “(5) A person who holds, or held at any time during the one year period immediately before the relevant date— (a) an established position as a civil servant as an officer of the Minister, or (b) an unestablished position as a civil servant as an officer of the Minister, shall not be eligible for appointment as an investigator under subsection (1).”.”
“I move amendment No. 8: In page 10, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “(2) The Minister shall ensure the investigations must be held by suitably qualified persons who have appropriate working knowledge and practical experience in the subject matter of the safety investigation they are conducting.”.”
“I move amendment No. 7: In page 10, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “(a) staff should be qualified master mariners, ship surveyors and/or marine engineers and their competencies should include marine engineering, naval architecture and seagoing experience; (b) appointment of staff should not be at the sole discretion of the Chief Investigator; (c) necessary staff qualifications should be outlined in a protocol between the Minister and the MAIU.”.”
“Amendment No. 10 is to ensure there is ongoing training and professional development for our investigators. Maritime technology, safety regulations and accident investigation methodologies are consistently evolving. Investigators must receive continual training to ensure their work remains aligned with international best practice. This amendment would place a legal obligation on the Minister to ensure this happens. Amendment No. 11 would enhance accountability by requiring that the MAIU's annual report include updates on safety recommendations. We cannot allow the reports to gather dust on the shelf. There must be transparency on actions taken and not taken in response to recommendations from previous investigations. This measure will ensure lessons are learned and acted upon.”
“I believe there needs to be a fairer, more sustainable future for Irish farming. CAP must work for all farmers, not just for the top.”
“The Department of agriculture needs to work with farmers, not against them, to ensure the schemes are practical, transparent and effective. In conclusion, we are looking for a CAP that is fair to all farmers, a CAP that protects the family farm and full convergence of entitlements. We need the front-loading of payments for small and medium family farms, a fair stance against unfair trade deals like Mercosur, and simpler and fairer agriculture schemes with no payment delays. Farmers in my constituency in County Limerick have shared their frustrations with me about the delays in ACRES payments, the complexity of TAMS applications and the uncertainty of CAP entitlements. These are the real, everyday issues affecting real farmers and the Government cannot continue to ignore them.”
“One of the biggest frustrations farmers face is the complexity of the CAP schemes. Time and again, we see schemes introduced that are overly complicated, poorly communicated and riddled with delays. When farmers sign up to schemes, they believe they will receive a certain level of support only to find out a year or two later that the payments are far lower than expected. ACRES participants are still waiting on payments due since 2023 because of a lack of staffing in the Department, which cannot get the payments out. The lack of proper engagement with farm organisations means the schemes are designed without farmers in mind. We call for a simplification of the agri-schemes so farmers get the payments they are entitled to on time and without unnecessary bureaucracy.”
“These farmers have been ignored for too long. We must continue to push for a proper, meaningful compensation package that reflects the losses they have endured. Sinn Féin has consistently opposed the Mercosur trade deal and we will continue to do so. The deal is a direct threat to Irish beef farmers. Ireland produces some of the best beef in the world and is held to the highest environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards, yet the Government is willing to allow cheaper, lower standard beef from South America onto our market, thereby forcing Irish farmers to compete on an unfair playing field. The Government says it opposes Mercosur in its current form. However, to be real, there is no version of Mercosur that is going to be good for Irish farmers so we need to reject it outright.”
“Instead of scapegoating them for Ireland's failure to meet climate targets, we should be working with them, supporting them and ensuring they have the financial backing to continue farming in a sustainable way. For years, Sinn Féin has been calling for compensation for the forgotten farmers, those who were unfairly excluded from young farmer supports due to Government cutbacks after the last recession. They missed out on installation aid and then, when the new farmer scheme was introduced under CAP 2015, they were locked out because they had been farming for more than five years. The Government has made countless announcements but when it comes to real action, it fails. The €5 million allocated in the budget is simply not enough and, to make matters worse, there is still no clarity on how it will be spent.”
“Small and medium farms should be protected through front-loaded payments, ensuring they can survive and thrive in the years ahead. There is no doubt that agriculture plays a role in reducing carbon emissions. Irish farmers have already stepped up by making significant changes to their practices to help Ireland meet its climate targets. They will continue to do more but it will come at a cost. Farmers must be fairly compensated for their work in protecting the environment. Let us be clear. Irish farmers are not the enemy of the environment. They are the custodians of our land, producing the highest quality food to the highest standards.”
“I welcome the Minister. Agriculture is the backbone of rural Ireland, supporting communities, protecting the environment and ensuring food security. Yet, time and time again, farmers feel abandoned and left to navigate a system that is often unfair, bureaucratic and increasingly unsustainable. Sinn Féin has a clear ask. We want the Common Agricultural Policy to be fair for all farmers. We believe payments should be fairly distributed. We support the full convergence of entitlements and the ending of the outdated system where payments are based on reference years from decades ago. There should be a cap of €60,000 on upper payments, thereby ensuring that CAP supports are directed towards those who truly need them, not just the large enterprises.”
“We were referred to the same by two different GPs. My GP over-exaggerated the position slightly because she wanted me to get a mammogram. My friend's diagnosis was not over-exaggerated. She came out and was fine too, but at least I got the test. I knew 100% that I was okay. She did not know, and just had to play a guessing game all along. Different doctors will do different things. Referred to the same clinic by two different GPs, we had different experiences. It would be nice to bring the age threshold down just to save on that happening.”
“I welcome the Minister. The first issue I want to raise is early breast screening. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in Ireland. Despite medical advances, we still lose too many lives because early detection is not prioritised. Our current screening is for over-50s. We would like to see 40 as the cut-off. We need targeted awareness campaigns to encourage younger women to check for symptoms and access medical advice early. We also need investment in genetic testing for those with a family history of breast cancer, thereby allowing for early intervention. We cannot put a price on women's lives, and delayed screening is costing lives. Early detection is what will save lives. Last year, I had a scare. Thankfully, I got the all-clear, but a friend of mine had the same issue at the same time.”
“If the Government accepts the Sinn Féin amendments, we will reconsider our position. However, as it stands, we cannot support a Bill that fails to protect Irish lives at sea.”
“No clear protocols have been outlined for co-operation with international investigative bodies which is crucial for incidents involving foreign vessels. There is no requirement for the marine accident investigation unit, MAIU, to be represented on European or international maritime safety agencies, meaning Ireland risks being left behind in improving marine safety. We cannot support the Bill as it stands. This Bill in its current form does not go far enough to protect Irish seafarers, rescue workers and maritime communities. It does not ensure independence, transparency or accountability. It does not provide adequate resources to the new investigation unit. It ignores expert recommendations and fails to address the lessons of past tragedies. We cannot afford another missed opportunity to fix our broken marine safety system.”
“Sinn Féin's amendments require the MAIU to work with coroners, An Garda Síochána and other authorities to ensure a proper investigation process. Investigators must be required to appear before the coroner's court when requested, ensuring full accountability in cases of maritime deaths. Under this Bill there is no mechanism to reopen an investigation if new evidence emerges. Our amendments would allow investigations to be reviewed and reopened if significant errors were made or if new evidence came to light. This Bill does not bring Ireland in line with best practices in maritime accident investigation. The UK and other EU countries have dedicated and fully independent investigation bodies. This Bill fails to meet that independent standard.”
“The Bill does not require that accident investigators have the necessary expertise in marine engineering, naval architecture or sea-going experience. Sinn Féin's amendment's mandate that investigators should be suitably qualified and that all investigators undergo continuous professional development in line with international best practices. The Clinch report on marine safety has not yet been published despite repeated calls from the Oireachtas committee. The Lacey report recommended a full independent national accident investigation office covering air, rail and marine accidents but this has been ignored. The Government's failure to publish key reports and recommendations undermines trust in this Bill. The Bill does not guarantee that all maritime deaths will be fully investigated.”
“As a result, Sinn Féin will table a number of amendments on Committee Stage. There are a few key problems with this Bill. It does not provide sufficient safeguards to ensure that the marine accident investigation unit, MAIU, will operate independently. There is no provision to prevent former Department of Transport officials being appointed as investigators, creating a conflict of interest. The Government has failed to guarantee the MAIU will be properly resourced. Sinn Féin proposes an amendment to mandate funding for three full-time investigators, assistants and technical support staff. This should not be left to ministerial discretion. The MAIU must have its own premises, staff and technical equipment independent of any Government Department.”
“According to the Health and Safety Authority, between 2014 and 2022 there were 29 fatal marine accidents, resulting in 39 deaths in the fishing sector alone. Of these, 87% were due to drowning and 38% were linked to vessels capsizing. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board, MCIB, which this Bill seeks to replace, has been criticised for lacking independence and failing to conduct thorough investigations. The Cape Town Agreement, an international treaty designed to improve the safety of fishing vessels, has still not been ratified by Ireland. The Government's refusal to fully commit to international safety standards puts Irish lives at risk. The Bill does not go far enough to address these failures. It does not ensure that lessons are learned from past tragedies and does not guarantee that future accidents will be properly investigated.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. I strongly oppose the merchant shipping Bill in its current form. While the intention behind this Bill to strengthen maritime safety and ensure proper maritime accident investigations is one we would all support, this investigation falls far short of what is needed. Time and again, the Government has ignored expert recommendations, failed to implement best practices and disregarded the voices of those who have lost loved ones at sea. This Bill is a missed opportunity and is incomplete, insufficient and fundamentally flawed. We have a record of failure in marine safety. Ireland has a poor track record when it comes to maritime accident investigation and safety standards. We have been reprimanded by the European Court of Justice for failing to maintain independent investigative procedures.”
“I thank the Minister. That is exactly what I was going to raise with him. The education piece is the most part. For so many women whom I have met over the past couple of months, their issue was more that, if they had had another couple of weeks or months adding to their pensions, they would have come away with full pensions. They just lacked those couple of contributions. Maybe a bit of education coming from the Government will help these women to see how much more they need.”
“They should be automatically entitled to PRSI contributions, regardless of whether they receive a direct wage. Family farms should be supported to ensure that every family member, especially those who are women, has pension security. We support a universal State pension that is not means tested and the provision of financial and pension advice for women. Too many women are unaware of their entitlements until it is too late. The Government must do more around education, especially for those in rural areas.”
“We already know that women in Ireland receive significantly lower pensions than men, with a gender pension gap of approximately 35%. However, for women in rural areas, particularly those who work on family farms, the gap is even wider. Many farm spouses and daughters work full time on the land but do not qualify for full contributory pensions because they are never formally employed. Family farms are the backbone of rural Ireland, yet the women who keep them running are often left out of the pension system entirely and this must change. The first solution we are looking for is for the home caring periods scheme to be expanded. The current system does not go far enough. All years spent caring for children or other family members must be fully counted towards a pension. Second, women's work on family farms should be recognised.”
“Yet when they reach retirement, they are punished for this decision because they often receive a reduced pension or, in some cases, no pension at all because they lack the necessary PRSI contributions. Similarly, women who work on family farms, whether helping with livestock, maintaining records or managing the household that sustains the farm, often do so without formal pay, pension contributions or financial independence. These are workers in every sense of the word, yet the pension system does not acknowledge their labour. The result is that these women, who have worked every bit as hard as those in traditional employment, face financial insecurity in their later years. This is not just an economic issue. It is a matter of fairness, gender equality and valuing all work, paid or unpaid.”
“I welcome the Minister. The issue I am raising affects countless women across Ireland who dedicate their lives to raising families, caring for their loved ones or working tirelessly on family farms and who find themselves at a financial disadvantage when they reach pension age. These women who give so much to their families, communities and the economy are being penalised by a pension system that fails to recognise their contribution. This is a long-standing injustice that must be addressed without delay. Women who stay at home face a double disadvantage. For generations, women have made the difficult choice to leave paid employment in order to care for their children. This work, though unpaid, is essential. The women who do it are the backbone of our society.”
“I call on the Minister to invest in immediate safety improvements on the N20, including better junctions, speed enforcement and overtaking lanes, and to ensure that funding for this project is ring-fenced so it is not sacrificed for political convenience. The people of Limerick, Cork and Munster deserve safe modern infrastructure. They deserve a road that protects lives rather than endangers them. Let us ensure the N20 no longer makes the headlines for tragic reasons but instead becomes a symbol of progress, safety and responsible planning.”
“Every day this project is stalled is another day that families take their lives in their hands simply by commuting to work, school or hospital appointments. Cork and Limerick are the second- and third-largest cities, yet they are still connected by a road that belongs in another era. This is not just about an economic benefit, although the benefits of a proper motorway connection between these key cities is undeniable. This is about safety and preventing more tragedies on a road which has already claimed too many. I call for a clear and binding timeline for the M20 project. There cannot be any more delays or uncertainty.”
“Too many families in Limerick, Cork and across the rest of Munster have suffered unbearable loss because this road is simply not fit for purpose. The N20 carries heavy traffic volumes, including significant numbers of HGVs, yet it remains largely a single-lane carriageway with dangerous junctions, poor sightlines and a lack of safe overtaking opportunities. Every day, thousands of commuters and businesses rely on this road and, every day, they put their lives at risk. The solution is clear - the long-promised M20 motorway must be delivered. We have been hearing about this project for over 20 years, yet nothing has materialised. Delays, excuses and endless reviews have left this road among the most dangerous.”
“I am sharing time with Senator Tully. I welcome the Minister of State. I raise an issue of importance to the people of Limerick and Cork and all who travel between them, namely, the urgent need to address the dangers of the N20. For far too long, this road has been a death trap. It is one of the most dangerous routes in the country, with an appalling record of serious injuries and fatalities. Between 2016 and 2022, at least 26 people lost their lives on the N20 and hundreds or more were seriously injured. A collision on this road is four times more likely to be fatal than on any other road in Ireland. These are not just statistics. Behind every number is a person, a loved one taken too soon, a family devastated and a community in mourning.”
“If possible, we should have a register of vulnerable older people - an extension of what the Government did during Covid - that could be used during the increasing number of storms I am sure we are going to get. When our electricity clicks on and off constantly throughout the year, the list of patients who need things like CPAP machines could be consulted to see if they need get battery packs, etc. Even though it is not always a life-threatening illness, it can be and it can be debilitating to people who have it. We might look at putting a list together, perhaps by getting GPs to send it in centrally and working off the list that was already there for Covid.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. I will highlight a couple of things, the first of which is that rural Ireland is always treated disproportionately when it comes to infrastructure. We tend to have more forestry where the trees will fall. County Limerick was not that badly affected - it sounds awful to say it - because in certain parts, we got our power back within five days. I know it was much worse up the country. However, we have to remember that this storm came off the back of a previous storm that caused people to have to spend over a week with no electricity and no water, and were unable to leave their houses because there was so much snow. One of the issues raised with me was the plight of vulnerable residents who were not vulnerable enough to warrant hospitalisation. CPAP machines for sleep apnoea would have been a big issue.”
“The people of County Limerick and more widely should not have to live in fear. They deserve leadership that listens, acts and delivers.”
“Farm thefts, break-ins and attacks on elderly residents in rural areas are causing fear across County Limerick. A stronger Garda presence with better rural CCTV schemes and tougher action against repeat offenders are essential. I will make a few interesting points, of which I am sure the Minister of State will be aware but I will say them for the benefit of everyone else. County Limerick has a population of 107,000 and a landmass of 2,735 sq. km and 22 Garda stations, two of which are 24-hour. The other 20 Garda stations are open for an average of 16 hours a week. If there are two gardaí in those stations and they are called out to an accident on the N21 or the N69, for example, that Garda station is closed. There are no gardaí. Public safety is not just a political issue. It is a fundamental right.”
“I call on the Government to increase Garda recruitment and retention. We need a properly resourced Garda force with the numbers and support to do its job effectively. The Government must restore community policing. A visible Garda presence is one of the strongest crime deterrents. It should address drug-related crime head on. That not only means policing but also proper funding for addiction and rehabilitation services. We must break the cycle of addiction and crime. There must be investment in community supports. Safer communities are built on opportunities. We need more youth services, mental health services and opportunities to ensure young people in Limerick county have a future beyond crime or antisocial behaviour. Tackling rural crime needs real solutions.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. Being from County Limerick, I am sure he will agree with me it is a place of strong communities and hard-working families with a proud heritage, but too many people, whether in towns or rural areas, do not feel safe. Our gardaí are stretched beyond capacity. The reduction in Garda numbers, station closures and the lack of visible community policing are failing the people of County Limerick. Nor is this only about policing. Tackling crime means addressing its root causes, namely, poverty, lack of opportunity and addiction. We need stronger youth diversion programmes. I was delighted to get an invitation from the Minister of State's office to the launch in Rathkeale of a new diversion programme. We need investment in our communities. Without these measures we are just putting plasters on deep wounds.”
“The Government needs to do everything within its power to stop this from happening, stop this strike from going ahead, reach an agreement and try to get these section 39 employees onto HSE contracts.”
“I raise an issue today that not only affects Country Limerick but every town, village and county in this country, and that is the pay disparity between section 39 workers and HSE workers, which is putting a massive rift between them. It can be very disheartening for those in the sector working on section 39 contracts when they are working beside someone on better pay, better conditions, better holidays and better service. SIPTU has balloted for strike action at the end of this month. This not only affects the workers; they also have a retention and recruitment issue that, in turn, will affect the care given because we will not be able to recruit.”
“Women have always played a central role in Irish agriculture, whether on family farms, in agribusiness or as leaders in rural communities, yet our voices have too often been absent from the decision-making tables. As the only female Oireachtas Member for County Limerick, I take my role seriously not just as a representative, but as an advocate for the many women who contribute so much but who are too often overlooked. This Seanad must be a place where real change happens, where rural Ireland is not treated as an afterthought and where policies reflect the lived realities of the people we serve. I will work with colleagues across the political spectrum to ensure that fairness, equality and opportunity are at the heart of everything we do. I thank my constituents, my community, my colleagues here and my party for putting their trust in me.”
“The people of Limerick know the value of hard work, resilience and community but they also know the struggles of rising input costs, the uncertainty of markets and the persistent failure of successive governments to deliver for rural Ireland. I intend to be a strong voice for these farmers, fishers and rural communities, who feel left behind. As a Sinn Féin Senator, I will fight for fair prices for our farmers, for a CAP that genuinely supports family farms and for an agrifood sector that prioritises sustainability without sacrificing livelihoods. I will work to ensure that young farmers have access to land and support schemes that enable them to build a future in agriculture rather than being priced out of their own heritage. I will also speak to the importance of gender representation.”
“I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his appointment. It is with great and immense pride and deep responsibility that I stand here to make my maiden speech in Seanad Éireann. I am honoured to have been elected to the agriculture panel. The sector is the backbone of our country. It sustains our rural communities, drives local economies and shapes our national identity. I am also profoundly aware of the historic nature of my election. I am the first Sinn Féin Oireachtas Member for County Limerick in history. This is both a privilege and a challenge and I will embrace it wholeheartedly. Limerick is a county of rich agricultural tradition, from the dairy farming in the Golden Vale to beef, sheep and tillage enterprises across our rolling fields.”