Yes, I think the word came through during this debate. I only heard about it when I came into the Chamber.
As I say, we have taken leadership on the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The Taoiseach was very strong again in calling for that agreement to be suspended while the review takes place. The EU must use all the levers at its disposal with the urgency that the situation demands. We in Ireland will use all the to…
TDs / Thomas Byrne
Thomas Byrne
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and at the Department of Defence
Portrait: © Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence) · source file
12
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
76,972
words spoken in the chamber
68,043 as a minister, 8,929 as a TD
268
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
11
topics asked about
Across 6 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 12 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 314 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 4 | 7 |
| March 2025 | 3 | 15 |
| April 2025 | 0 | 6 |
| May 2025 | 4 | 27 |
| June 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| July 2025 | 1 | 36 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 0 | 5 |
| October 2025 | 0 | 2 |
| November 2025 | 0 | 20 |
| December 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2026 | 0 | 53 |
| February 2026 | 0 | 12 |
| March 2026 | 0 | 4 |
| April 2026 | 0 | 37 |
| May 2026 | 0 | 19 |
| June 2026 | 0 | 20 |
| July 2026 | 0 | 11 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| October 2026 | 0 | 40 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 113 contributions in the regular slots, such as Leaders' Questions and Priority Questions. Speech from the chair is not counted.
Asked about similar topics
Not enough questions on record to compare.
Party, constituency and offices
- constituency Meath East 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fianna Fáil 29 November 2024 to now
- office Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and at the Department of Defence 29 January 2025 to 25 March 2025
- office Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and at the Department of Defence 26 March 2025 to now
I am glad that Europe is still as popular as ever. I am sure the Members who are due to arrive will arrive very soon. I suppose, given the order of the Dáil, I must go ahead. I am glad to join the Ceann Comhairle and the people of Ireland to mark Europe Day 2025. This year, we mark not only Europe Day, but also a remarkable milestone in our shared history, that is, the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. Sev…
Yes, I smiled when Deputy Ó Laoghaire said that. It does not mean anything.
No, the Deputy should go ahead.
I will continue to speak if Deputy Ó Laoghaire wants. I will tell him all about Sinn Féin's European policy.
We are not doing that.
Hear, hear.
Hear, hear.
I thank all the Members for their interesting contributions. It is fitting in this House, as we represent the sovereign will of the Irish people, that we pause to reflect on the past, present and future of the European Union and Ireland's unique and valued place within it. We must never forget when we talk about the European Union that we are the European Union. The European Union is not a foreign entity. It is a uni…
This is exactly my point again. We get criticised by the Opposition and the Government of Israel.
The actions the Irish Government has taken have been very much appreciated by the people of Palestine, not only in the context of our practical, financial and humanitarian support, but also by our recognition of their country as well. We are very much an outlier in the European Union in that regard. While we will keep talking to our European colleagues on this issue, there are different views around the European tabl…
I move amendment No. 2:
To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:
"notes that the United States (US) has implemented tariffs on all of its trading partners, with the European Union (EU) and Ireland facing tariffs of:
— 25 per cent on steel, aluminium and derivatives since 12th March;
— 25 per cent on the automotive sector since 3rd April; and
— 10 per cent on remaining goods since 5t…
He absolutely would not say it to any investor.
From this Government's perspective, investors are welcome to Ireland. We have one of the most educated countries in the world-----
-----and one of the best workforces in the world-----
-----and we are one of the most advanced countries and democracies in the world. We have a competitive, consistent and a transparent corporate tax regime, good access and connectivity and an excellent return on investment.
The Irish sites of leading global companies play a key role in creating or adding value to the goods and services that underpin the modern global economy anchored in our membership of the European…
-----and the sooner that trade agreement is fully ratified, the better because it is of huge benefit for our indigenous sector, which Deputy Tóibín talks so much about. We should really have a united front on this because that reduces the burden, and economic cost and gives huge opportunities for businesses here in Ireland.
We are living together in challenging times. There are no winners if tariffs are introduced. …
Tá sé sin uafásach.
Tá mé ag éisteacht le cad atá á rá aici.
I move amendment No. 1:
To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:
"notes that:
- Ireland's policy of military neutrality is characterised by non-membership of military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements, and this policy choice has been practised by successive Governments since the Second World War;
- the Government reaffirms its commitment to this policy and reiterates…
That is not what Deputy Hearne thinks.
I did not criticise him for that.
No, I am obviously not.
I am answering questions on the European Council last week.
I will answer these because there is a lot of stuff here. It is kind of a free-for-all. I am happy to answer but in some ways I am limited to answering on what comes before the European Council. I do not have information on some specific items that were not discussed at the European Council and nor am I the Minister of State with responsibility for some areas. I do want to take one point, however, that has been raise…