As I said, I welcome the introduction of the new grant supports aimed at turning vacant buildings and above-the-shop spaces into liveable spaces. I also welcome the €70,000 grant. However, if the Minister of State goes to any town and village in his local area, he will see, given the cost of building and everything else, that despite the €70,000 grant to do up a house, where the individual owns it, it is still very d…
TDs / William Aird
725
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
31,555
words spoken in the chamber
Across 161 contributions
429
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
221
topics asked about
Across 18 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 725 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 161 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 7 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 16 | 2 |
| March 2025 | 7 | 10 |
| April 2025 | 18 | 14 |
| May 2025 | 28 | 14 |
| June 2025 | 33 | 12 |
| July 2025 | 28 | 5 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 10 | 7 |
| October 2025 | 23 | 11 |
| November 2025 | 88 | 22 |
| December 2025 | 50 | 3 |
| January 2026 | 74 | 4 |
| February 2026 | 38 | 7 |
| March 2026 | 51 | 4 |
| April 2026 | 70 | 3 |
| May 2026 | 50 | 23 |
| June 2026 | 60 | 6 |
| July 2026 | 34 | 4 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 37 | 1 |
| October 2026 | 3 | 9 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 129 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 Laois 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fine Gael 29 November 2024 to now
The Minister of State only said it himself a minute ago. We knew everybody who was there-----
There is no need for the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach to shout and roar at me.
The Taoiseach mentioned earlier all the money that has been spent on Blanchardstown. He might just keep me in mind for the courthouse in Portlaoise.
The programme for Government commits to reducing childcare costs by €200 per month per child. I understand work is planned in phase 2 of the affordability measures. Will the Taoiseach confirm these measures will include the long-term goal of delivering that €200 monthly…
The Taoiseach will keep me in mind for the courthouse, will he not?
I welcome the opportunity to speak during National Biodiversity Week and to recognise the incredible work being done by communities, volunteers, schools, farmers and local organisations across County Laois and throughout Ireland to protect our natural environment.
Biodiversity is not an abstract idea. It is the hedgerow beside the road, the bees in your garden, the rivers and boglands that shape our countryside, and…
I wish to take this opportunity to thank everybody who is doing it.
88. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether consideration is being given to allowing farmers who are currently below slurry storage compliance requirements to access support under the targeted agricultural modernisation schemes, specifically for the purpose of achieving compliance; the pathways available for young qualified farmers and newly established farm partnerships in…
I welcome the significant investment that this Government has made through TAMS in supporting farm modernisation, improving environmental sustainability and assisting farmers to meet regulations. However, I want to raise a practical case that is happening on the ground and causing real frustration for young farmers and new farm partnerships. A qualified young farmer operating a newly established family farm partnersh…
This means a farmer is being asked to meet a standard before being allowed to access the support needed to reach it. Those willing to invest to comply are unable to access supports required to do so.
The Minister knows that the farming community accepts the importance of improving storage capacity, and the farmers understand the need to protect water quality, reduce emissions and ensure holdings are compliant. I accept that significant progress in this area has been made through TAMS, especially with enhanced supports for young, trained farmers and new entrants.
However, situations like the one I have outlined t…
These measures are needed, and match environmental ambition and political delivery.
The objective should be to bring farmers into compliance through investment and engagement. It should not be to exclude those who are trying to do the right thing but are limited by financing conditions. I welcome the update from the Department that it is considering additional flexibility on targeted measures, but the Minister knows quite well that there are thousands of people out there from an older generation of …
That is no good to the farmer who cannot get it.
I presume the Leas-Cheann Comhairle is not going to let me back in.
Deputy Kenny, who does not even have a herd number spoke five times, and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will not let me in.
Will the Deputy come home and milk my cows this evening?
Today we mark Europe Day 2026. It is a chance to reflect on how far Europe has come and what Europe stands for, namely, peace, working together, democracy and opportunity. For Ireland, being part of the European Union has made a real difference. It has helped grow our economy. It has supported our communities and has backed our farmers. We have seen that clearly in County Laois and across the midlands. I know people …
I welcome the opportunity to address the House on supports for hauliers and the wider supply chain sector. Global instability from the Middle East conflict continues to affect international markets. We have seen sharp increases in oil and fuel prices and households and businesses are under sustained pressure, and this has all been well debated in this House. I welcome the Government fuel support scheme announced yest…
I want to raise the issue of GP shortages in County Laois. The population of Laois has risen sharply over the past decade but primary care services have not kept pace. I acknowledge the tremendous work of local GPs. They are the backbone of community healthcare. However, the reality is the HSE can assign a GP to a medical card and GP visit card holder, but there are no GPs in the Portlaoise area with capacity and pri…
I wish to raise the issue of payment terms applied by State and semi-State bodies to contractors. I welcome that payments are guaranteed but I have been told that payment terms can stretch to four months, which is simply not acceptable. These are small and medium-sized operators, the backbone of small enterprise across Ireland, who must cover fuel, machinery, wages and other overheads all upfront. They cannot wait mo…
The escalating conflict in the Middle East is causing profound distress and uncertainty. Middle East strikes are continuing on the sixth day of war. I begin by expressing my deep sympathy for all innocent victims of these attacks. The images and reports emerging from the region are heartbreaking. Civilians are bearing the brunt of violence they did not choose and cannot control. Their suffering must remain at forefro…
Usually when I stand up here to say a few words I am upbeat and hoping to get a positive response. I stand here today representing County Laois. Since 2002 when the new currency came into this country 22 or 23 post offices have closed in County Laois. The Government needs to give some form of backing to the remaining post offices in our county or we will be here again in 12 months' time when more are closed. Every ye…
You cannot even get a pint of milk because you cannot get it from your local farmer because it is not pasteurised. That is where we have gone to now.
I want to raise the serious issue of Irish citizens currently stranded in the Middle East. Since the weekend's events, I have been contacted by constituents who are on holiday or working in the region and find themselves trapped. Airports are closed and flight paths are suspended. People are in a frightening and volatile situation through no fault of their own. I commend the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and her team on …