Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. I want to raise an issue that I have already raised with the housing Minister and his Minister of State. I want to use my time highlight an issue that does not always show up in the headlines relating to the homeless figures but which is very real and urgent, namely the growing number of people with disabilities who are effectively locked out of independent living.…
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
I raise the issue of Droimnín private nursing home in Stradbally, County Laois, and ask the HSE to give serious consideration to retaining this facility on a full-time, permanent basis. As the Minister of State is aware, following an application by HIQA under section 59 of the Health Act 2007, the High Court directed the HSE to assume responsibility for the operation of the nursing home as a provider of last resort. …
I thank the Minister of State for his response and note his comments. It is acknowledged that Ireland’s population is ageing, and this will bring significant challenges. We must plan proactively to meet these needs. There are three HSE nursing homes in County Laois: one in Abbeyleix, St. Brigid's Hospital in Shaen and St. Vincent's community nursing unit in Mountmellick. While I mention St. Vincent's community nursin…
I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important matter. Doris, Gareth, Dennis, Alex, Barra, Eunice, Ciarán, Ashley, Éowyn and Chandra were some of the fiercest storms to batter our country in the past ten years. They brought strong winds, rain and flooding, and left a trail of destruction behind them. In light of recent severe weather events, and the flooding we have again witnessed across the…
I want to address the emergency of BTV-3 and outline its implications for farmers and the agrifood sector, as well as the obligations on the Government to respond effectively and responsibly. First, I acknowledge the farm family in County Wexford where the cases have been confirmed. I commend them on their immediate and ongoing co-operation with veterinary authorities, including compliance with movement restrictions …
I welcome the Taoiseach's upcoming engagements in Washington and Philadelphia for St. Patrick's Day. These meetings come at a critical moment for Ireland as global trading conditions become uncertain. Our trading relationship with the United States is central to our economy. In 2024, Irish goods exported to the US reached a value of €72.6 billion, around 32% of all goods we sell overseas.
Pharmaceuticals accounted f…
I thank the Taoiseach for his response. Ahead of the Taoiseach's US trip, it is essential that the Government identifies the risks posed by the US tariff policy and industrial strategy; sets out the commitments required to safeguard key export sectors, including pharmaceuticals and agrifood; and actively promotes market diversification and bilateral safeguards rather than relying on EU-level responses. I urge the Tao…
First, I thank the Taoiseach for making his very successful trip to China and the rewards we got as a result of it.
I raise the issue of Portarlington Garda station in County Laois and ask that its operation be restored to a full-time, 24-hour service. Portarlington is the second-largest town in Laois with a population of 9,000 people. The station serves not only itself but a wider area, including Emo, Killenard and…
The Government has loads of money now.
The Government has loads of money. It was closed down when there was no money but now the Government has loads of money so I want it opened up again-----
I know but you are spending very little. You will not take your hand out of your pocket at all.
I wish everybody a happy Christmas. I do not have the time to elaborate on it. It is not often I stand here and thank the Minister but I thank him for the work he has done. This is a great thing for farmers. It will be backed 100%. I am delighted with it.
Could the Minister please work on permissions for log cabins and modular homes to allow people to put a log cabin on a site in cases where they cannot afford a hou…
I raise an issue that is causing huge concern to families across County Laois, that is, the urgent need for ASD classes at post-primary level. Last year, the then Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee, successfully spearheaded a campaign to open more ASD classes at primary school level. We need the same level of urgency at post-primary level. We know that a significant number of children with ASD will move…
I want to raise the concerning issue of waiting times for assessment of need for children in County Laois. I received a letter from the HSE dated 3 December 2025, stating that 870 children in the Laois-Offaly area are currently waiting to be reviewed by the assessment officer to determine the eligibility of progress for assessment. For those deemed eligible, the average waiting time is 21 months, almost two years, be…
Rathdowney fire station has been waiting for more than two decades for a replacement. A site was acquired in 2003, Part 8 approval is complete and Laois County Council has prioritised Rathdowney for the 2026 to 2030 fire service capital programme. The current station is outdated, overcrowded and lacks proper facilities for female staff, despite having the largest number of female fire fighters in the county. Rathdown…
And the Tánaiste will be able to make an announcement.
13. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding that has been allocated to a centre (details supplied) in Portlaoise, County Laois, over the past five years; the funding that is planned for the centre in the coming years; whether there are opportunities to access additional departmental or national funding streams to support its ongoing operation, programming, and developm…
I am raising this question to get clear and committed support for Dunamaise Arts Centre in County Laois. This centre opened in 1999. Capital funding was supported by the then Minister for arts, Michael D. Higgins. Matching funding was proposed by me in the council chamber in Laois in 1999. Dunamaise Arts Centre has served as the cornerstone for cultural life in Laois and the wider midlands. I am asking the Minister t…
I thank the Minister. For 25 years the Dunamaise Arts Centre has provided a home for drama, music, film, community groups, festivals and the visual arts in my region. It has supported both professional and amateur artists. It has built a reputation for excellence. The centre has vibrant, energetic and ambitious plans and is ready to expand and strengthen its role as the cultural heart of the county. However, the cent…
I am asking for the core infrastructure funding for the centre. It is ideally placed-----
-----for departmental cultural capital funds------
-----Arts Council supports, Creative Ireland initiatives and sustainability-----
-----based on funding schemes.
There is nobody else here.
I thank the Minister for his remarks. That is the most positive reply I have received since I became a TD. It looks as though we only have to put in the submission and the Minister will look after us reading between the lines. The Dunamaise Arts Centre can serve its community for the next 25 years as it has for the past 25. I acknowledge the exceptional work of the team there including Ciara O'Connell, the CEO, Nick …