There have not been many who have spoken here this morning so I should be at the top of the list.
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
It is the same question.
I put in a parliamentary question and received a reply on the 14 October, outlining exactly what the Minister of State has said. Funding of the sum of €23.7 million was allocated for a 130-bed facility in St. Vincent's in 2016. The project is being carried out in phases, including work on a new 50-bed unit. Will the Minister of State give a firm commitment that the overall capacity will be a 130-bed unit when all pha…
Following the recent withdrawal of strike action by school secretaries and caretakers represented by Fórsa, can the Taoiseach provide an update on the current status of the negotiations regarding pension parity, pay frameworks and other employment conditions? Will he outline the timeline for implementing the commitments agreed through the Workplace Relations Commission? Will he list measures the Government is taking …
I am glad to have an opportunity to say a few words this evening. I completely stand behind the farmers on this one and I am delighted there are so many of them here in the Public Gallery this evening, and rightly so. They are absolutely worn out between being in Newbridge or Naas a while ago and they are here again this evening.
This Mercosur thing is a very bad deal for this country. I am sorry that I am here on m…
I have no problem with that. I know more about farming than you do, I can tell you that. What do you know about farming?
You have a pair of wellingtons that never got dirty. I can tell you that.
13. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his Department’s timeline for identification and servicing of the large-scale regional next generation sites for future FDI and enterprise; in which counties these will be located; the means by which local enterprise offices and regional agencies will be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62203/25]
I welcome the opportunity to raise this important question with the Minister. Ireland's success in attracting world-class investment has depended on our ability to offer fully serviced, high-quality industrial and enterprise sites. As we look to the next generation of investment in manufacturing, green energy and digital innovation, we must ensure that every part of the country, including the midlands and County Laoi…
I thank the Minister for his response. The next generation sites initiative represents a real opportunity to prepare Ireland for the industries of tomorrow. In Laois, we have the location, the infrastructure and a workforce ready to go. What we need now is clear prioritisation and early investment so that we are fully prepared to deliver for the new enterprises of the FDI projects that come on stream. Laois, as the M…
We have the lowest rate of job creation from IDA Ireland in the State at the moment.
I wanted to talk to the Minister about Leprino. I thank him for visiting Leprino in Portlaoise and working with me and the other people. The announcement that Leprino Foods will close its facility in Portlaoise is a huge blow to us in Portlaoise, to County Laois more widely and to the 130 skilled workers who are working in Leprino, …
I welcome the opportunity to speak on the important topic of men's health, an issue that touches every parish, home and family in Ireland. Today's debate is a milestone for the House. It is the first time that men's health is the sole focus of statements in Dáil Éireann. Often, men's health is discussed when it is too late, such as when a neighbour is ill, a farmer collapses or a family grieves a father, brother or s…
I welcome the opportunity this evening to speak on the tillage sector. I thank all the tillage farmers in County Laois who voted for me in the general election.
The tillage sector is a vital and strategic part of Irish agriculture, the rural economy and our environmental ambitions. It is a cornerstone of our agrifood system. Across Ireland, 344,000 ha are devoted to tillage, supporting around 7,000 farm families and…
How does the Taoiseach propose to support workers and families who do not qualify for affordable housing, HAP, cost rental or any of the other schemes provided by local authorities when their income is simply not sufficient enough to secure an adequate mortgage to meet the current market price? Every week I meet people in my constituency of Laois: SNAs, nurses, gardaí, teachers, administrative and healthcare assistan…
The cheapest house in Portlaoise is €500,000.
10. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 3 July 2025, if he will commit to ensuring that funding is made available to complete the new courthouse for Portlaoise, County Laois; the expected delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53872/25]
I thank the Minister for the opportunity to raise the issue of a new courthouse for County Laois. They requirement for a new courthouse has long been recognised. The National Development Plan, NDP, 2018-2027 identified the need for new courthouses in a number of locations with substandard facilities, including in my hometown of Portlaoise. The current facilities in Portlaoise are substandard and require updated, mode…
I thank the Minister for his response and his commitment to meet a group of stakeholders to discuss the urgent need for a courthouse in Portlaoise. The immediate priority is clear. We need funding for the development of the new courthouse in Portlaoise and a clear and definite timeframe for commencement and completion. As the Minister mentioned, an important first step has already been taken. I was a member of Laois …
-----that the existing courthouse is no longer fit for purpose. It causes congestion, which has a negative effect on businesses and residents in the town. There is a lack of privacy and dignity for those attending the court-----
I will conclude by referring to the serious security conditions.
Will the Minister acknowledge that the Midlands Prison is located in Portlaoise? He knows what happens in a courthouse, and the logistics involved in bringing prisoners down from a prison of that size twice a week. That is why I asked if it can be done. As the Minister stated, the site has been secured. The need is obvious and the benefits are evident. I urge the Minister to prioritise the immediate provision of fund…
No one but us in Portlaoise has anything like the Midlands Prison, in which there are 1,500 prisoners.
The Irish tillage sector is in crisis. Two weeks ago, I attended a meeting of more than 1,000 farmers in Naas. They gathered not to protest but to plead for the survival of the tillage sector. Their message was loud and clear: they cannot continue without urgent, targeted financial support.
Poor grain prices, soaring input costs, reduced margins, regulation and the flooding of the Irish market with non-EU cereals ar…
We cannot let this essential sector go the way of sugar beet. The upcoming budget is the next time to act before it is too late.
If this also means money from the Minister, Deputy Chambers, it should be put into it.