I raise the issue of the National Ambulance Service. I have heard from multiple constituents of prolonged waiting times, sometimes lasting hours, in cases of urgent need for medical attention. In my constituency, Arklow, County Wicklow, and Gorey, County Wexford, each have only one operating ambulance at any one time. This is to serve a population of more than 50,000 people. If these ambulances are out on calls, cove…
TDs / Brian Brennan
Brian Brennan
Portrait: © Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence) · source file
444
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
18,266
words spoken in the chamber
Across 86 contributions. Plus 14 contributions from the chair, not counted
408
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
151
topics asked about
Across 20 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 444 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 86 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 14 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 34 | 3 |
| March 2025 | 33 | 4 |
| April 2025 | 19 | 4 |
| May 2025 | 20 | 6 |
| June 2025 | 15 | 1 |
| July 2025 | 17 | 6 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 25 | 1 |
| October 2025 | 23 | 4 |
| November 2025 | 28 | 13 |
| December 2025 | 21 | 5 |
| January 2026 | 26 | 6 |
| February 2026 | 26 | 9 |
| March 2026 | 17 | 3 |
| April 2026 | 23 | 6 |
| May 2026 | 32 | 4 |
| June 2026 | 27 | 2 |
| July 2026 | 13 | 1 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 1 |
| September 2026 | 17 | 2 |
| October 2026 | 14 | 5 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 71 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 Wicklow-Wexford 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fine Gael 29 November 2024 to now
I represent the new constituency of Wicklow-Wexford, which straddles the border between south Wicklow and north Wexford. As with the rest of the country, in all areas of my constituency there are issues with housing supply and availability of rental properties that are impacting families and communities. However, depending on which side of the border they live on, my constituents will receive significantly different …
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am dealing with two families, a brother and sister, one of whom lives in Arklow while the other lives just down the road in Coolgreany. There is a difference of €650 in the payment they receive. Since opening my constituency offices in Gorey and Arklow, the most prominent issue for people coming in the door has been housing. Day in, day out, I meet people just trying to …
I welcome the report. It is imperative that there is no delay in the roll-out of the recommendations it contains. There are three key issues. The first is how we deal with parents. Since the more than 2,000 letters were sent out, I have spoken to many parents. Without exaggerating, I can say they simply have not slept. They are totally numb at the thought that their child was put through a procedure that simply was n…
In regard to the hip dysplasia report due in the coming days, as previously stated in this House I was a parent who sat in front of the surgeon being investigated, with my wife and my child. I was a lucky parent. I did not proceed with the recommended procedure. When the report is published, among the many recommendations, I hope there is one where parents are very much involved in the process. Every child who ever u…
I raise the issue of dereliction in our cities, towns and villages. The blight of dereliction and long-term vacancy is prevalent throughout our country. According to the CSO figures for 2022, there are 163,000 derelict properties. I welcome the progress and the millions, if not billions, of euro invested nationwide clearly showing in the vacant property refurbishment grant statistics presented this week. However, I q…
I thank the Minister of State and welcome his action plan, which is very much needed, and the further investment. I take the Minister of State's point about the involvement of the local authority, and how important that is. If we take Arklow, the town I am from and where I have spent all my working life of 25 years, it was a vibrant town, with a port and a buzzing main street. My wife, my two kids and I walked down t…
I thank the Deputy.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Regarding Irish tourism, I am concerned about the figures that have come out for March. The number of inbound travellers is down and I would like to know what plan is in place to reverse this downward trend. The programme for Government clearly states a commitment to growing the tourism industry and I ask for strong action to support this growth. It is imperative that, as a Government, we continue to develop the offe…
I am listening with great interest to this debate. I am listening not only as a TD but also as a parent. I was there. I have two beautiful young children. One is seven and one is six. My young son has cystic fibrosis. My son was called to Cappagh hospital to see the consultant under investigation. I went there with my wife. We met the consultant. He told us, literally straight away, that my son needed surgery. I aske…
On childcare and early learning, new regulations are being put in place for home-based care but continued consultation with the providers is essential. There is major frustration among childcare providers who face great financial pressure and bureaucracy. I engage with experienced operators such as Brigid Fleming in Riverchapel and Frances Burke in Arklow and they are not alone as this is a national concern. There is…
For the record, Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 6 will be grouped. I call Deputy Doherty.
I have been informed that they can be grouped.
They can be grouped with other priority questions but not with other oral questions.
I am happy with that.
I acknowledge the Deputy's comments on Mick O'Dwyer. I had a personal involvement with him in Wicklow GAA. I was sponsor and he was manager. He was one of the most amazing characters I have ever come across. The legacy he has left the GAA world is priceless.
We will move on please.
I welcome the programme for Government proposals that we ensure Irish Water prioritises the delivery of the small towns and villages programme. What I am concerned about is that this is not being fed down to Irish Water. Take Aughrim in County Wicklow, for example. No housing developments have been built in more than a decade due to the water plant being at full capacity. Recent correspondence with Irish Water stated…
I seek an update on the progress of the Gorey primary care centre which was first proposed in 2010 and is yet again back on the drawing board. Gorey is a thriving and fast-growing town with a population of more than 35,000 when Courtown and Riverchapel are included, but at the moment it is almost impossible to register with the GP or dentist. I welcome the programme for Government which clearly states this Government…
I refer to a number of pressing issues relating to capital investment in schools in my constituency both in the provision of new buildings and upgrading of existing buildings. I commend the Department on the continuous roll-out of hot meals and free books. I welcome the commitment in the programme for Government to increased facilities for children with additional needs by establishing either new special schools or s…
I thank the Minister of State for his response. I warmly welcome the word "engagement". That is so important for the key stakeholders, especially the principals of the schools. No doubt these issues are being replicated in many schools. I have to say that the initial response from the Minister and her Department has been very positive and engaging. Simply, joined-up thinking is needed in many of these situations and …
The programme for Government reiterates the intention to continue the development of greenways and cycle routes across Ireland, which I warmly welcome. Greenways have simply transformed rural communities throughout Ireland. However, I want to flag a concern following a decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission to Blessington greenway due to wildlife and environmental concerns. If roadblocks such as these cont…
I would like to re-emphasise how important it is that we have access to our countryside and our greenways.
It would be remiss of me to start without thanking my team in Wexford-Wicklow for putting me in this honourable position. I would like to thank my wife, Michelle, and my children, Seán and Mia. I would also like to thank the incredible support I got from my team in north Wexford and south Wicklow. I look forward to representing the constituency right across the board. I have to mention the town of Arklow, because for…