I welcome the Bill. It makes a lot of sense and we have all been waiting for it. I note it is one of 21 Bills flagged for priority under the first months of the new Government. That is reflected in the urgency with which we are bringing it in, and I welcome it.
As the Minister of State will know, the purpose of the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 is to deliver a statutory provision which sets out …
TDs / Barry Ward
Barry Ward
Portrait: © Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence) · source file
3,718
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
143,980
words spoken in the chamber
Across 316 contributions
364
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
380
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 3,718 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 316 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 62 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 74 | 18 |
| March 2025 | 62 | 19 |
| April 2025 | 107 | 7 |
| May 2025 | 69 | 20 |
| June 2025 | 88 | 12 |
| July 2025 | 201 | 20 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 177 | 15 |
| October 2025 | 114 | 22 |
| November 2025 | 199 | 23 |
| December 2025 | 259 | 30 |
| January 2026 | 315 | 14 |
| February 2026 | 364 | 12 |
| March 2026 | 271 | 24 |
| April 2026 | 457 | 13 |
| May 2026 | 294 | 12 |
| June 2026 | 156 | 12 |
| July 2026 | 95 | 5 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 258 | 12 |
| October 2026 | 96 | 26 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 193 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 Dún Laoghaire 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fine Gael 29 November 2024 to now
Can we not pass legislation that is more easily read by people without reference to lots of other pieces of legislation?
Ar dtús báire, ní féidir linn a rá cé chomh tábhachtach is atá an t-ábhar seo agus an luach a bhaineann le polasaí éifeachtach anseo ach an oiread. The importance of diverting young people away from crime cannot be overstated. It is a deeply important thing and the underlying principle has to be that prevention is better than cure. Although it does not mean that people are beyond the scope of policies if they have be…
I understood this was a motion of confidence in the Ceann Comhairle, yet almost everything I have heard in this debate has been about ancillary issues that are not relevant to confidence or otherwise. This is why this discussion feels genuinely insincere. I do not believe those who profess a lack of confidence actually have a lack of confidence. What this feels like much more is an attempt to drag on this issue, rais…
It is interesting we are having these statements on the day the Schengen Agreement turns 30. The Schengen area is 30 years in existence today. It started with seven countries and now comprises 25, plus four non-EU countries. It is a union that has made us somewhat complacent about crossing borders because, as part of its operation in the European Union, it makes it very easy for citizens to travel around the European…
I welcome this Bill. The statute law revision project is hugely valuable which has been going on for more than 20 years. When I worked as legal adviser to Enda Kenny TD, as he was then, when he was leader of Fine Gael in opposition, the first of these Bills, the Statute Law Revision (Pre-1922) Bill 2004, which became the Act of 2005, was being dealt with and I had more time to peruse the 18th century and older legisl…
128. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 507 of 4 March 2025, his views on whether the rights of the child and the best interest principle are met by mandating the consent of both parents in cases (details supplied); if the current position can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12510/25]
This is a matter I raised with the Minister on 4 March by way of a question for written reply. It relates to the mandated requirement for two parents to give consent for certain processes or assessments, even passport applications, in circumstances where one of the parents is either absent or estranged from the family. It can be very difficult for both parents to sign those forms. This disproportionately affects wome…
The Minister hit the nail on the head with what he said at the end. Much of the answer relates to the situation set down in law where there is an agreement between parents but that is not the circumstance I am envisaging. For example, if a child needs a medical or educational assessment or the renewal of a passport and one parent is simply not present, it is not a matter that the parents do not agree - one could almo…
I appreciate that commitment. I will engage with the Minister. I do not know if this is something that is applied in a way that is intransigent by different State agencies. I do not know the answer to that. I also do not know if it is the case, for example, that a parent, now in the situation where a child needs a particular assessment goes to the District Court, can make that application in circumstances where he or…
Tairgim:
Go gceadófar go dtabharfar isteach Bille dá ngairtear Acht chun an Bunreacht a leasú.
I move:
That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Constitution.
Tá mé ag iarraidh cead an Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Mionn Oifige Breithiúnach), 2025 a thabhairt isteach. I seek leave to introduce the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Judicial Oath of Offic…
Tairgim: “Go dtógfar an Bille in am Comhaltaí Príobháideacha.”
I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."
We live in an increasingly interconnected world. That is true as much of trade as it is of defence. Listening to some of the contributions today, one would think that for many in opposition this is a cause for regret. In fact, it is something that has benefited Ireland immensely. In the context of trade, for example, being part of the European Union has afforded us an opportunity to really come of age as a country. S…
I am very glad to be able to make a contribution to the statements on International Women's Day.
It is important to recognise the extent to which women contribute, despite the fact that it is more and more difficult for them to contribute, at whatever level it might be. What is also important about these statements is that it is not an opportunity to score political points. I am disappointed that Deputy Réada Cronin…
Instead of selectively and smugly choosing statistics to show how wonderful they are, look at actually-----
I was going to say that laws that are brought in to encourage female participation in politics and gender quotas have definitely achieved results, but they have not addressed the issues that discourage women from getting involved in politics. In that regard, I would much rather see us pursue positive, progressive policies that make it easier for people from every walk of life to get involved in politics and to make i…
Aontaím leis na cainteoirí a dúirt go bhfuil tábhacht a bhaineann leis an teanga náisiúnta agus ár dteanga dhúchais. Ní aontaím leis na ráitis a dúirt go dtiocfaidh bás ar an teanga i gceann 100 bliain nó mar sin. Ní aontaím leis in aon chor, ach is féidir linn a fheiceáil go bhfuil feabhas ag teacht i gcónaí ar an nGaeilge agus an méid daoine a labhraíonn í gach lá, cé nach bhfuil an líon céanna cainteoirí dúchas an…
I congratulate the Minister and wish him the very best in what is a tough role. I welcome the statements that have been made in the Chamber about support for, investment in and resources for An Garda Síochána. However, I was dismayed to hear on the news today that the bulk of new gardaí are going to Dublin city centre. We in Dún Laoghaire need gardaí as well. One of the complaints I hear from people locally is that t…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Oideachais as ucht an t-am seo a thabhairt dom labhairt ar an ábhar seo, atá thar a bheith tábhachtach domsa. Mar is eol dúinn go léir, ní gnáthrud é go mbeadh seans ag cúlbhinseoir Rialtais labhairt ar Ghnó Príobháideach de chuid an Fhreasúra. Gabhaim buíochas freisin le Sinn Féin as a chuid ama a thabhairt chun an cheist seo a phlé. Aithním go háirithe an Teachta Ó Snodaigh ní hamháin …
102. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding any initiative his Department is progressing to improve passenger safety on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8931/25]
Déanaim comhghairdeas leis na hAirí. Go n-éirí an bheirt acu leis na poist atá acu. Baineann an cheist atá agam le sábháilteacht phaisinéirí ar iompar poiblí. What plans or measures are in place to protect passengers' safety on public transport?
I do not have to ask my constituents about this because I get the bus myself. The lack of a ministerial car means I have to get the E2. I was about to say the 46A but it is the E2 now. I appreciate what the Minister said. I presume it is not planned to have a transport security force person on every bus, DART or Luas. Are there other measures that could be put in place? I think of DART stations. In many DART stations…
I agree with what the Minister said. There is an ancillary issue. Obviously, my question contemplates personal safety in the context of the antisocial behaviour and criminality the Minister referred to, but a lady in Glasthule raised an issue with me today regarding the difference in the style of driving between different bus drivers depending on whether they were trained by Bus Átha Cliath or Go-Ahead. I do not know…
11. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education her views on the importance of promoting the provision of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7382/25]
Is í mo cheist chun an Aire inniu ná faoin tábhacht a bhaineann leis an nGaeloideachas, na Gaelcholáistí agus Gaelscoileanna a chur chun cinn. I am wondering about the Minister's views on the importance of promoting the provision of Gaeloideachas, Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí. I ask her to make a statement on the matter.