I am conscious that the Minister is new to this brief, as am I as a first-time Deputy. The Bill went through the House before I was elected. I am concerned by the proposed amendment to section 4(1)(d) of the Bill, as drafted. It might appear to be an attempt to water down the services available to survivors. Even less home help is on offer compared to the Magdalen and mother and baby institutions schemes. Section 4(1…
TDs / Ciarán Ahern
Ciarán Ahern
Portrait: © Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence) · source file
860
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
128,105
words spoken in the chamber
Across 238 contributions
355
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
204
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 860 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 238 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 0 | 1 |
| February 2025 | 17 | 8 |
| March 2025 | 74 | 7 |
| April 2025 | 25 | 9 |
| May 2025 | 29 | 18 |
| June 2025 | 16 | 11 |
| July 2025 | 79 | 9 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 52 | 9 |
| October 2025 | 18 | 6 |
| November 2025 | 45 | 16 |
| December 2025 | 54 | 11 |
| January 2026 | 95 | 15 |
| February 2026 | 82 | 13 |
| March 2026 | 48 | 6 |
| April 2026 | 75 | 20 |
| May 2026 | 26 | 19 |
| June 2026 | 52 | 28 |
| July 2026 | 24 | 6 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 34 | 22 |
| October 2026 | 15 | 4 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 109 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 Dublin South-West 29 November 2024 to now
- party Labour Party 29 November 2024 to now
Yes.
Apologies.
I got a bit ahead of myself the last time. I have been a new TD for six months now and this is the first time we are debating any legislation.
I am still concerned about this proposed amendment. It appears to be an attempt to water down the services available to survivors so that even less home help is on offer compared to the Magdalen and mother and baby institution schemes.
As I said, section 4(1)(d) reads identically to the legislation underpinning both the Magdalen and mother and baby institution schemes. In those schemes and currently in this Bill, pu…
I echo Deputy Connolly's comments in respect of the previous redress schemes and this one. I think our party is going to find it difficult to support it as well.
I wish to make one final point about exclusion, to which Deputy Connolly referred. I believe it is unfair to limit this legislation’s healthcare provision to people who have already received a payment under the residential institutions redress scheme in the…
Like everyone, I was absolutely shocked to hear of the tragic circumstances of Shane O'Farrell's death on 2 August 2011. I am always saddened to hear of deaths on our roads, of which there are still too many, but as a cyclist, a law student, a UCD graduate and someone who was around Shane's age at the time, his death in particular hit home with me. I recently had the privilege of meeting with Shane's mother, Lucia, a…
I welcome the opportunity to speak on the issue of biodiversity and to mark biodiversity week. We have an awful lot to do in this area. The Minister of State will know that better than anyone else. He has a reputation for passion in this area. I look forward to working with him as best we can over this term.
In Ireland, we very often trade on the incredible beauty and richness of our landscapes. It is probably our m…
I begin by paying tribute, as others have done, to Cara Darmody. A 14-year-old obviously should not need to be such an ardent campaigner for autism supports and services but she is an incredible one and it was a pleasure to meet her and give her my support outside the gates of Leinster House this morning. Nearly everyday, like everyone here, I am contacted by parents in my constituency who either cannot get an assess…
I commend Deputies Pa Daly and Quinlivan on bringing forward this really excellent Bill. The Labour Party is glad to give it our support. We have a long history of advocating for better waste management and advocating for measures to reduce waste. Indeed, it is more than 20 years since we published our Waste Matters policy document in 2005, an alternative strategy on waste management to that of the Government of the …
Before I begin, I take the opportunity to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Garda Kevin Flatley, as well as to his colleagues in An Garda Síochána. It is an unimaginable tragedy that his life would be taken as he was carrying out his duties in the interests of making our roads safer. Reading the tributes from those who knew him and worked with him, we really get a sense of what a thoroughly …
2. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to bring forward a new national aviation policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23103/25]
I thank Deputy Cummins for her work on this motion and I also thank the Minister for being present and engaging with the debate. This is a very important motion. Some 60% of Irish parents have expressed a preference for multidenominational schools and it is broadly acknowledged as the way forward in education. When we consider the level of oversubscription for Educate Together schools, the demand for this education i…
2. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will intervene to stop the construction of the Shannon LNG terminal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18315/25]
I thank Deputies McDonald and Ó Broin for bringing this Bill, which the Labour Party will be supporting, to the House. We opposed the Water Services Act 2017 when it was introduced. To quote my former party colleague, Jan O’Sullivan, it was "a complete fudge between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael". It is incredible to me that we are still talking about water charges in 2025. They were put on the table in 2010 by Fianna Fá…
Despite what the Minister says, it appears that there are whisperings that it is not a settled position for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. It is understandable that recent reports that Uisce Éireann would be introducing excess-use charges would raise alarm bells. It is an emotive issue for many people, as we in the Labour Party know all too well. As environment spokesperson for the Labour Party, I am of course sympatheti…
As the Taoiseach knows, today is World Autism Awareness Day. I ask about the supports and therapies that are available for children with additional needs in my constituency of Dublin South-West. As the Taoiseach knows, we are all being contacted constantly by parents at their wits' end who are seeking crucial and urgent interventions for their children, be it speech and language therapy, occupational therapy or psych…
It is a disheartening thing to see a stroke happen in real time in front of our eyes in this Chamber. It is a disheartening thing to have to speak on a motion of confidence in the Ceann Comhairle at all but particularly so early in this Dáil term and in my own Dáil career. This motion, this issue of confidence before us today, goes back to my very first day as a TD in Dáil Éireann last December and the deal arranged …
In return for support in good times and bad the Ceann Comhairle was appointed from among the ranks of Independent TDs led by Deputy Lowry and other goodies were bestowed on his followers, including junior Ministries, deputy Whip responsibilities, goodies for particular constituencies and an open door with Ministers. It is entirely regrettable that the office of the Ceann Comhairle has been used as a bargaining chip i…
-----was conducted last Tuesday fatally undermined our confidence in her and it is with deep regret I say that. I hope the Ceann Comhairle will reflect on this vote in a manner in which her political patron is seemingly incapable of-----
-----but I do not hold out much hope of that, given that she has not even turned up tonight. We will oppose the motion.
I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this motion, which I am happy to support. Storm Éowyn swept through parts of Ireland leaving devastation in its wake, with homes severely damaged and businesses disrupted and, in some instances, destroyed. Farmers, who already have enough going on, have seen their livelihoods threatened. In the face of this crisis, we must confront the sobering truth that the response from the G…
I commend my colleague, Deputy Wall, and his staff on all of their work in producing this important motion. I especially commend the young carers who are with us in the Visitors Gallery this evening, and who shared their powerful testimonies with us in the audiovisual room this afternoon. They should not have to be here, but the reality of our broken system of care is what makes this motion so necessary. Our system o…
There is a commercial operation-----
Creidim go bhfuil malartú cultúrtha agus meas nua tagtha ar ár dteanga dhúchais le blianta beaga anuas. Tá Pop-Up Gaeltachtaí, leabhair nua, podchraoltaí cosúil le "Motherfoclóir", ceol Kneecap agus a leithéid sin ag cabhrú leis an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn. Tá suim sa Ghaeilge ag daoine óga na linne seo, agus tá ár dteanga ar fáil do gach duine. Ní mór dúinn an deis seo a thapú agus seans a thabhairt do dhaoine an t…