We have seen that the N4 and N7 are like car parks at the moment. I believe part of that is due to service unreliability of some of the routes, particularly the C4 and W6 routes, after huge investment in BusConnects. On the C4 route, we see persistent cancellations, ghost buses and severe overcrowding. With the W6, we see the removal of the post-4 p.m. service, which is impacting students and commuters. There are the…
TDs / Naoise Ó Cearúil
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Portrait: © Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence) · source file
919
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
51,027
words spoken in the chamber
Across 276 contributions
407
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
241
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 919 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 276 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 8 | 12 |
| March 2025 | 11 | 25 |
| April 2025 | 50 | 11 |
| May 2025 | 65 | 20 |
| June 2025 | 45 | 24 |
| July 2025 | 38 | 20 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 36 | 15 |
| October 2025 | 83 | 13 |
| November 2025 | 101 | 13 |
| December 2025 | 93 | 14 |
| January 2026 | 69 | 24 |
| February 2026 | 56 | 5 |
| March 2026 | 30 | 10 |
| April 2026 | 83 | 12 |
| May 2026 | 39 | 19 |
| June 2026 | 41 | 13 |
| July 2026 | 28 | 6 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 21 | 4 |
| October 2026 | 22 | 16 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 224 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 Kildare North 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fianna Fáil 29 November 2024 to now
Following the European Council meeting, there were significant issues discussed, between Ukraine, defence, the Middle East, competitiveness, climate and digital transitions, but particularly housing. Often, when we speak about housing, not only in this House but across the country, we think that it is an isolated problem in Ireland. What we are seeing is that this is a problem facing all of Europe. It is the first ti…
I acknowledge the Minister's ongoing efforts relating to this emotive issue, particularly in relation to CHI. I thank her for her help with some constituents in Kildare North and her work with the families. It is important that is acknowledged. However, it is incumbent to speak of the hundreds of children still waiting for spinal operations that are time-sensitive. In October, CHI reported 223 children on a spinal su…
I would like to raise today the difficulty in securing timely appointments with the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS. From a response to a parliamentary question I raised last month, I can confirm that nationally, over 4,000 children are waiting for their first CAMHS appointment and 605 of those have been waiting more than a year. I will give one example from my constituency. A young person who was …
82. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the acceleration of offshore wind development under the Climate Action Plan 2025, including progress on grid integration and planning reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60514/25]
The climate action plan sets out ambitious offshore targets of 5 GW by 2030 and up to 20 GW by 2040. However, none of the offshore projects are yet operational as the Minister has mentioned and the first grid connections are not expected until 2028. Will the Minister outline how the Government intends to accelerate delivery, specifically the current offshore pipeline aligned with the climate action plan 2025 targets?…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. We all share the same ambition but I fear there is now a growing gap sometimes between the aspiration and delivery. It is not just in relation to energy. We have been discussing this ad nauseam in terms of different areas of society. Seven phase 1 projects have maritime area consents, as the Minister mentioned, totalling around 4.2 GW, yet none are near construction. The delays in both …
I thank the Minister. We need to look at introducing statutory timelines for consenting decisions and publish a delivery roadmap linking planning, grid and construction milestones. Without the joined up approach, we risk not only missing our 2030 targets but also the legally binding carbon budgets too, which is important to mention. It is not just about missing or meeting our climate targets. Offshore wind is Ireland…
This time last year we were in the middle of the campaign to be elected to this House. The primary issue in Kildare was the lack of critical infrastructure, including social infrastructure, especially in the north of the county. During the housing crisis throughout the country, Kildare has taken a lot of the housing, particularly as a result of the pressures on Dublin. I welcome a lot of that housing. I am living in …
I appreciate the response. One of the key things the Minister of State said was that this is to boost the delivery of new homes. The investments in Kildare North are primarily to accommodate new homes being built. My point is that investment is not being made in the social infrastructure that is required for the existing population, notwithstanding the future population. DART+ and improvements to water infrastructure…
It is imperative that all of us condemn all violence and intimidation of international protection applicants at IPAS centres, which many applicants call home. Across Europe, every country is facing the same challenge, namely how to manage immigration fairly and firmly. Ireland is no different from its European counterparts. They have tightened their systems, sped up decisions and focused support on those who genuinel…
13. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the method used to calculate commuting distance for the SUSI adjacency grant eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56002/25]
Rural communities in Kildare North are experiencing increasingly frequent power outages. These are often outside of severe weather events. I am cognisant of the colder weather and darker days that are coming upon us. Areas such as Newtown Dunfierth, Donadea and Johnstownbridge are being consistently impacted, which is impacting households, families, farms, small businesses, etc. Will the Taoiseach liaise with the Min…
4. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness will next meet. [46856/25]
I spent my summer months drafting my first Bill to establish a national AI office. I was delighted to see on 8 September the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, announcing that this office will be established. Indeed, in the budget last week funding was allocated for this very office. Can the Cabinet committee consider naming this office an oifig náisiúnta um intleacht shaorga, or ONIS for short? It is a good name, one we …
16. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [46857/25]
Like most of us, I welcome the peace deal between Palestine and Israel. I remain hopeful that we will see positive outcomes from the negotiations.
I commend the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, our MEPs and, indeed, our diplomatic corps who have worked tirelessly to share our mission and how we believe what was occurring in Palestine was genocide.
I am shocked that I am the first person today to raise this. No leaders of t…
Brilliant.
97. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the planned financial supports for pelagic fishers and processors following the proposed 70% cut to mackerel quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54999/25]
This year's budget is about targeted investment to support those who need it most, while also ensuring that we plan wisely for the future. It is about looking after people today while securing the economic foundation for the generations ahead.
I welcome the strong focus on social protection, particularly the increase in weekly core welfare rates, which will benefit 1.5 million people. The expansion of the child supp…
I appreciate the opportunity to raise this issue, but I do so with anger and frustration on behalf of Evan Gardiner and his family, who are constituents of mine in Kildare North who have been utterly failed by Children's Health Ireland and by the system.
In September 2022, Evan was assessed by Mr. Pat O'Toole who recommended urgent surgeries on his knees, his ankles and, potentially, his hip. The advice was unambigu…
Go raibh maith agat, a Aire Stáit. This surgery was scheduled previously, and it was cancelled. Surgery is a traumatic and worrying period for any person no matter what age. For any of us with children, it is even more worrying and scary. Then for the child, it is extremely traumatic, and how a parent deals with that is extremely difficult. For surgery to be scheduled, cancelled, rescheduled and cancelled is far more…
As we sit and stand here today, the genocide continues in Gaza. Some 65,000 people have been murdered, with 20,000 of those being children. I am conscious of not just what is happening in Gaza but also of what is happening in the West Bank and the displacement of people there as well. It is welcome and encouraging that there has been progress on a peace proposal and that significant countries in the region have commi…
Is léir go bhfuil a lán feicthe againn cheana féin agus go bhfuil rudaí maithe ag tarlú timpeall na tíre, go háirithe i gCill Dara. We have seen a lot of positive progress around the country, particularly in Kildare. Some examples of successful sports capital programme projects in Kildare are: Clough GAA, which secured a €150,000 grant to install LED floodlights and improve security; Celbridge GAA club, which secured…
13. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy will next meet. [46855/25]