Graduate medical students are under huge pressure from fees, accommodation, travel expenses and the cost of living. They receive no SUSI grant, no Government supports and no access to loans. Their options are to drop out, to work 12-hour weekend shifts or to rely on parents for financial support. This is unfair, especially to students from rural communities where we urgently need to see more doctors. We must ease the…
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
114. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the strategies he and his Department are taking to ensure a fully funded, designated CAP budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26071/25]
Recent reports that the European Commission is considering dismantling the ring-fenced CAP budget are very worrying. This move would be a dangerous mistake for Irish agriculture, rural communities and food security across Europe. Agriculture cannot be sacrificed to meet other EU priorities such as defence or security. We cannot take food security for granted. I and farmers like me work tirelessly to produce safe, sus…
There is significant concern about the Commission's intention to release its vision for the post-2027 CAP at the same time as the EU budget plan. We cannot have this railroaded through. This approach, without consultation, is entirely unacceptable. Major decisions about the future of European agriculture must not be made behind closed doors in Brussels. Farmers must be heard. I urge the Minister to take a clear stanc…
Yes.
Before we go on, I would describe it as a drastic move to curb a farmer from selling his or her stock in a mart for up to three years. Does the Minister realise what he is doing to farmers, people like myself who get up every morning and work? There is no guarantee about this. We are talking about something that got worse and worse despite the money that was invested in the scheme. There is no guarantee that taking a…
First of all, I am delighted that the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Deputy Ardagh, is here today because she represents Dublin South Central.
As she knows, farm produce is delivered every morning. I am delighted that she is here for this important debate. I welcome the leader of the IFA, a fellow Laoisman, Francie Gorman. I am delighted he is in the Public Gallery to listen to the debate.
I welcome the opportunity to ad…
-----are sustained and developed. I am passionate about farming. You have to hand it to me.
We have to play our part in the fight against climate change. I have one question to put to the Minister. Will he oppose the single fund proposal relating to the MFF and protect Pillar 1 and Pillar 2? That is the question every farmer asks me passionately everywhere I go, every day.
The Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland estimates that claims involving uninsured drivers add approximately €35 to the cost of every motor insurance policy. In 2022, there were an estimated 187,000 uninsured vehicles on Irish roads, which is four times the EU average. I know the introduction of the Irish motor insurance database has helped reduce this number to around 100,000. The level of uninsured driving remains of s…
An issue of growing concern in recent months is the sharp rise in the number and sophistication of scams targeting people across Ireland, from phishing texts to fake texts and online fraud. These scams are causing real distress and financial loss to many, particularly the vulnerable and our older citizens who are often primary targets. We have heard reports of people losing their life savings to increasingly convinci…
The previous Government introduced a waiver scheme for people who were building first-time homes. It included council charges plus Uisce Éireann charges. On 31 December 2024, this was stopped. When this was introduced, it set out all the principles and achieved the objective of speedier activation of planning permissions by the development sector. It also escalated planning permissions that had been granted for a num…
Not necessarily.
If you build your own house-----
The Taoiseach is being very unfair.
For a house in one's own garden. The Taoiseach's son could be building a house in a rural area.
23. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is implementing to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the tillage sector in Ireland, considering recent financial challenges and the sector's environmental significance. [13749/25]
What measures is the Department implementing to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the tillage sector in Ireland, considering recent financial challenges and the sector's environmental significance?
I emphasise the urgent need for continued and enhanced Government support for Ireland's tillage sector. It is vital to our agricultural landscape and is currently at a critical juncture, as the Minister knows well. Without strategic investment and targeted policies, its survival and development are at huge risk. The tillage sector is the backbone of sustainable farming in Ireland. It provides essential grain for food…
There must be economic stability for farmers in this sector. The cost of the inputs such as fertiliser, fuel and seed has skyrocketed, putting immense pressure on the tillage farmer. Financial support, including grants and price stabilisation mechanisms, is essential to prevent further farm closures and safeguard rural employment.
Diversification and innovation are important. Government investment in research and in…
132. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress of the Government trade forum, which he chairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15189/25]
I ask the Tánaiste to outline the progress of the Government trade forum. In a time of economic uncertainty, I believe the role of this forum is crucial in ensuring that Ireland remains competitive on the global stage. For sectors like agriculture, one of the cornerstones of our economy, trade policy can mean the difference between growth and decline.
Take, for example, dairy farmers, who produce some of the finest milk and cheese in this world. As export markets shift due to changing trade agreements and external tariffs, these farmers need clarity on the Government's efforts to secure stable routes for their high-quality produce. Also, beef farmers who have long relied on the international markets are facing new challenges in light of global price fluctuations a…
Will the Tánaiste outline the strategy that the Government trade forum will use in addressing the concerns of the agri-sector? What steps will it take to protect Ireland? I urge the Tánaiste to use the Government trade forum as a mechanism to ensure that not only Ireland's farmers and agri-businesses, but all small businesses in Ireland have the support they need.
82. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will allocate funding to the community recognition fund for 2025. [14504/25]