1 November 2025 By Tom Collins tom@TheCork.ie Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn has accused government of directing almost half a million euros of taxpayer’s money to advertising companies as part of a “desperate attempt to appear pro-active in addressing the recruitment crisis affecting the construction sector.” The Cork North-Central TD was responding to confirmation from... Read More
1 November 2025 By Bryan McCarthy bryan@TheCork.ie Independent Ireland TD for Cork North-Central, Ken O’Flynn, has accused the Government of presiding over what he described as “a national housing emergency”, following the release of official figures showing a record 16,614 people in emergency accommodation, including 5,238 children and 2,443 families. “This is a national emergency,”... Read More
26 October 2025 By Valerie Ryan valerie@TheCork.ie Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins TD has called on the Government to support his party’s Bill for constitutional change in the presidential nomination process, saying it is “time to move beyond words and deliver real reform for Irish democracy.” His comments follow remarks by Tánaiste Simon Harris, who... Read More
21 October 2025 By Tom Collins tom@TheCork.ie Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn has said he has written to the Minister for Health Jennifer Carrol MacNeil asking her to allocate funds for the widespread community rollout of Bleeding Control Kits, known as KnifeSavers in some UK cities, following reports that Dublin’s Mater Hospital recorded a 68%... Read More
21 August 2025 By Elaine Murphy elaine@TheCork.ie Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central, Ken O’Flynn, has said the Government is “out of touch with reality” as families continue to struggle with rising food costs despite a drop in headline inflation. “Government ministers congratulate themselves on falling inflation figures, but families know the reality at the supermarket checkout,” Deputy O’Flynn said. “Headline CPI may be down... Read More
13 August 2025 By Elaine Murphy elaine@TheCork.ie Politics/Infrastructure Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins TD has called for urgent Government intervention to resolve the ongoing water supply crisis in Innishannon, warning that the latest disruption is yet another blow for local families and businesses. “Once again, families and businesses in Innishannon and surrounding areas are being... Read More
11 August 2025 By Elaine Murphy elaine@TheCork.ie Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins TD has reiterated his call for urgent supports to help childcare providers stay viable without passing crippling costs onto parents. His comments come as hundreds of families face monthly childcare fee hikes of up to €330, following the decision by one of the... Read More
4 August 2025 By Elaine Murphy elaine@TheCork.ie Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central Ken O’Flynn has sharply criticised the Government’s refusal to exempt gratuities from income tax, calling it “a tax on decency” and “an insult to the dignity of work.” Speaking in response to a recent Dáil statement by Minister for Public Expenditure... Read More
3 August 2025 By Tom Collins tom@TheCork.ie Politics/Economy Independent Ireland Chairperson and Cork North-Central TD, Ken O’Flynn, has launched a stinging critique of the Government’s failure to respond to what he calls “a slow-motion collapse” of Ireland’s small business sector. Since the current administration took office, more than 3,250 businesses across the country have shut... Read More
24 July 2025 By Mary Bermingham mary@TheCork.ie Independent Ireland TD for Cork South-West, Deputy Michael Collins, has called on the Minister for the Environment to urgently address the exclusion of island communities from Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme. The scheme imposes a charge of 15 cents or 25 cents (for a larger bottle). Most citizens can... Read More
Presidential candidate speculation “is a summer sideshow, distracting from real issues” says Cork TD
22 July 2025 By Mary Bermingham mary@TheCork.ie Presidential speculation is a summer sideshow, distracting from real issues – says Michael Collins, West Cork TD and Independent Ireland Leader Addressing media reports over the weekend, which he said were “reported with a healthy dose of journalistic licence with respect to the headlines used,” Deputy Collins also confirmed that Independent Ireland... Read More
22 July 2025 By Elaine Murphy elaine@TheCork.ie Politics “These are state agencies, not Sanctuary Cities.” says outspoken Cork TD Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn has said he will be investigating claims brought to his attention that persons subject to deportation orders are continuing to work in the Health Service Executive (HSE) in circumstances where the... Read More