I take this opportunity to welcome Sheila Stack, and her sons, Austin, Oliver and Kieran, to the House today. I welcome the Government's decision to issue a formal apology to the family of the late Brian for the serious shortcomings in the Garda investigation into his shooting and death. As a Laois TD, I believe this is an important moment for our county and for the Irish Prison Service.
Brian Stack served the State…
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
Given the lengthy waiting times under the warmer homes scheme, will the Government bring forward or amend existing legislation so that vulnerable applicants, especially older people living alone, are prioritised? Recently I dealt with an 89-year-old lady, a constituent of mine, who has been approved for the scheme. She has been told it may take up to two years before her works are even started or completed. Her home …
There is urgent need for funding for a new courthouse for Portlaoise. I welcome the significant investment being made in the Courts Service, including the increased capital allocation for justice infrastructure announced in budget 2027. I also welcome the positive news of the appointment of a design team to prepare the assessment and business case for the proposed project. I assure the Minister of State's officials t…
I thank the Minister of State very much for his response. The presence of the Midlands Prison distinguishes Portlaoise from many other courthouse projects around the country. As I said, we have a courthouse operating in a town centre and we also have to accommodate the secure movement of the prisoners from a major prison facility. Every time a prisoner is brought from the Midlands Prison to court there are logistical…
I thank the Minister of State.
As we approach World Mental Health Day, I take this opportunity to speak about an issue that affects every community in this country, including in my constituency of Laois. Mental health is not a peripheral issue. It is a major public health issue, a family issue, a community issue and, increasingly, an issue that affects our economy, our schools and our workplaces. Most importantly, mental health difficulties do not…
Give me one minute. The traumatic effects of mental ill-health within a family are not always visible. They may not appear in statistics, waiting lists, figures or service activity reports, but they are real. We have a responsibility to recognise them-----
Early intervention must be prioritised.
I ask the Minister of State for that. Families must be supported.
I raise the issue of school transport. I have been inundated with contacts from parents whose children do not have a school bus ticket this year. Many of them had tickets for several years but, this year, they have none. These include children going into sixth class in primary school and sixth year in post-primary school. There is confusion regarding the difference between eligible and concessionary tickets. There is…
Middle-income working families continue to shoulder the greatest burden of rising living costs. Many are earning too much to qualify for targeted supports and they are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the costs of childcare and housing, and also to meet everyday expenses. At the same time, wage increases intended to keep pace with inflation are pushing more workers into the higher rate of income tax.
As the…
I would like to take the opportunity to speak on this issue which affects thousands of families across this country, many in my own constituency. Dementia is not just a health issue. It is a family issue, a community issue, and a societal issue. Behind every diagnosis is a person whose life has changed and has a spouse, son, daughter, neighbour or friend who is adapting to new responsibilities and challenges. In Coun…
I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill and support its passage on Second Stage. Ireland faces a housing infrastructure challenge that is well known to every Member of this House. Families are struggling to access affordable housing, communities need vital infrastructure to be delivered and businesses require certainty within our planning system. Good planning must always protect public participation, environm…
I have listened with interest to the debate. I hear exactly what is being said but I stand here as a person who has a great interest in the hare. The hare has been a part of our heritage since long back, as both speakers said. The hare was on the old threepence coin. It can be seen in many pictures in many places throughout the island of Ireland. As a person who farms and likes land, and loves all kinds of animals in…
I want to raise the issue of Leprino Foods Company in Portlaoise. This was a joint venture between Glanbia and the Leprino family which is known worldwide for its mozzarella cheese. The company came to Portlaoise in a joint venture to manufacture stringy mozzarella cheese. The Leprino family bought Glanbia out of the project, so we now have a situation where Leprino Foods is exiting this country and moving to the Nor…
I join with other speakers in highlighting the issue of rare diseases. In particular, I want to speak about a condition affecting a small number of people in Ireland, which is SMA, a genetic disorder that affects motor neurons in the spinal cord, leading to progressive muscular weaknesses, loss of function and even shortened life expectancy. For many years, families affected by SMA lived with little hope of effective…
----- and I ask that special attention be given to this group-----
-----and that the Minister engages further with EMA Ireland.
I raise the urgent issue of waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery, especially hip and knee replacements, at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore. In recent months, I have received numerous queries from constituents who are in severe pain and unable to engage in day-to-day life while they wait for surgery. Many of them have been told by their consultant that they are a priority but they are still waiting more than eigh…
I welcome the opportunity to speak on the importance of tourism to our economy, our communities and our national identity. Tourism remains one of the most important and significant industries, supporting employment, enterprise and regional development in every county. Hundreds of thousands of people depend directly or indirectly on tourism activities, from accommodation to visitor attractions, transport, festivals, h…
The fuel allowance scheme is a critical support for many pensioners who are on limited incomes. I acknowledge that must be clear eligibility criteria in respect of payments of this nature. However, an inconsistency in the current system has been brought to my attention. In the case of a pensioner whose adult child has moved back into the family home, if that child is not dependent and is working, the pensioner is dee…
No, I am talking about a person who had to come home. The individual involved is a nurse.
Two thousand euro a month for a house in Portlaoise.
51. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the latest Government trade forum meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38315/26]
The housing crisis continues to affect every town and village across Ireland. It remains one of the biggest challenges facing families, young people, older people and workers. As a TD, I hear every week from people struggling to find a home, buy a home or to cope with raising rents. The message is clear - more houses and more needs to be done. There is no single solution to the housing crisis and no silver bullet. We…