The time permitted for this debate having expired, I am required to put the following question in accordance with an order of the Dáil of this day: "That in respect of each of the sections undisposed of, the section is hereby agreed to in Committee, the Title is hereby agreed to in Committee, the Bill is accordingly reported to the House without amendment, Fourth Stage is hereby completed and the Bill is hereby passe…
TDs / John McGuinness
John McGuinness
Leas-Cheann Comhairle
Portrait: © Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence) · source file
423
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
53,878
words spoken in the chamber
Across 132 contributions. Plus 1,827 contributions from the chair, not counted
107
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
138
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 423 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 132 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 1 |
| January 2025 | 3 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 13 | 4 |
| March 2025 | 35 | 7 |
| April 2025 | 24 | 6 |
| May 2025 | 54 | 7 |
| June 2025 | 14 | 3 |
| July 2025 | 28 | 6 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 59 | 0 |
| October 2025 | 11 | 4 |
| November 2025 | 39 | 21 |
| December 2025 | 14 | 9 |
| January 2026 | 8 | 6 |
| February 2026 | 20 | 8 |
| March 2026 | 20 | 3 |
| April 2026 | 14 | 2 |
| May 2026 | 18 | 15 |
| June 2026 | 14 | 19 |
| July 2026 | 13 | 7 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 14 | 2 |
| October 2026 | 8 | 2 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 46 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 Carlow-Kilkenny 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fianna Fáil 29 November 2024 to now
- office Leas-Cheann Comhairle 19 February 2025 to now
Amendments Nos. 1, 12 and 13 are related and may be discussed together.
115. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will take immediate steps to strengthen local democracy by reconstituting boroughs or corporations similar to the structures that once operated; and if he will consider Kilkenny city as a pilot project. [48286/26]
I raise Kilkenny city and the status it has had since the 1609 charter, granted by King James, which established it as a city with a mayor. It survived Cromwell but it did not survive the recent local government legislation that reduced it from a city to a borough. That particular move has not worked fully for the citizens of Kilkenny city.
If the Minister asks anyone in Kilkenny city or, I am sure, in his town of Wexford, he will be told the best structure of democracy they had - in Kilkenny's case since 1609 - was the corporation or the borough council. The stripping of that title is depriving people of a pride they had in that office, the office of mayor and the office of those who were elected to serve the citizens of, in this case, Kilkenny. I am a…
I wonder who the task force asked. I am aware it asked elected representatives, possibly, for their input and view but what about the people who are demanding it - the citizens we say we represent here? They are demanding something very different, not just accountability and transparency, which much be improved. They are asking for direct access to local democracy where decisions are made that affect their lives. The…
I thank the Tánaiste for that. I wish to welcome a group of students from Trinity going into their third year, who are accompanied by a very special member of Senator Sharon Keogan's family. I wish them well in their day here in Leinster House.
Can we stick to the question, please?
That is not the purpose of the question. We will move to the next question.
Allow the Tánaiste to answer.
Two cases in my constituency concerning farming families have been dealt with in the course of the business of this House and the committees. Dan Brennan is one of them. It was agreed that an expert, Dr. Seán Brady, would be appointed to provide the Department with a report. Dan Brennan is an excellent farmer. He has been waiting for the outcome of this since 1990. I have been told, through a response to a parliament…
Yes.
A number of them.
The Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has completed its detailed scrutiny of the Victims of Sexual Violence Civil Protection Orders Bill 2025 and, in accordance with Standing Order 185, has recommended that, for the reasons outlined in its report, the Bill should proceed to Committee Stage.
We commence our debate with a statement from the Minister, Norma Foley, followed by one from the Minister of State, Emer Higgins. The 25 minutes are to be shared, I think.
Before I go to the next speaker, I welcome the ladies from Ballybofey and Stranorlar to the Public Gallery. They are here with Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher. I hope they enjoy their day in the Dáil with him. I also extend a very warm welcome to all of those in the Public Gallery who are here specifically for this debate. They are very welcome. We will now move to our next speaker, Deputy Graves.
Before I call on our next speaker, I welcome all of those in the Public Gallery. I hope they are enjoying the debate and finding it informative. They are very welcome to Leinster House. I particularly welcome Peter and Briege Rust from Dundalk, who are here with Deputy McGreehan, and Deputy Cormac Devlin's friends and neighbours.
I extend a welcome to Deputy Heneghan's former teachers and class who are in the public Gallery. They have a lot to answer for. They are very welcome and I hope they enjoy the debate.
The time is up, Deputy.
I understand Deputies Michael Collins, O'Flynn and O'Donoghue are sharing time equally.
Are the proposed arrangements for the week's business agreed to?
I call Deputy Carthy.
I call Deputy Collins.
Are the proposed arrangements for this week's business agreed to?
Before we take questions on policy or legislation, on behalf of the Government Whip, the Minister of State, Mary Butler, I welcome the Dolmen active retirement group from Waterford to the Public Gallery. I hope you all enjoy your day in Leinster House. You are very welcome.