I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion on home-heating oil this evening. It is an issue that matters enormously to people in my constituency of Kerry and right across rural Ireland. As I stated previously, when we talk about energy prices in this House, we have to remember that behind every statistic is a family or an individual trying to heat their home, a person trying to get to work or a small business …
TDs / Michael Cahill
Michael Cahill
Portrait: © Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence) · source file
3,207
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
41,594
words spoken in the chamber
Across 178 contributions
414
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
392
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 3,207 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 178 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 52 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 162 | 17 |
| March 2025 | 132 | 6 |
| April 2025 | 230 | 4 |
| May 2025 | 121 | 14 |
| June 2025 | 153 | 10 |
| July 2025 | 220 | 14 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 216 | 8 |
| October 2025 | 84 | 4 |
| November 2025 | 230 | 8 |
| December 2025 | 140 | 19 |
| January 2026 | 189 | 14 |
| February 2026 | 136 | 18 |
| March 2026 | 159 | 6 |
| April 2026 | 248 | 4 |
| May 2026 | 201 | 7 |
| June 2026 | 245 | 7 |
| July 2026 | 129 | 2 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 115 | 11 |
| October 2026 | 45 | 5 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 128 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 Kerry 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fianna Fáil 29 November 2024 to now
As we approach World Mental Health Day this Saturday, I want to take the opportunity to speak about this very important issue that affects every community in this country, mental health. World Mental Health Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness but it should also be an opportunity to recognise the people working every day to support those who are struggling and to acknowledge there is still more to do. T…
Budget 2027 contains a wide range of cost-of-living measures, including increases in the fuel allowance, the living alone allowance and social welfare payments, with the old-age pension going to €309.30 per week. There is an increase in children's allowance and improvements to the carer's allowance scheme. In housing, the help to buy scheme is going from €30,000 to €35,000. There is additional funding for affordable …
I wish to again raise the Ring of Kerry road. I acknowledge the €10 million provided by the Minister for Transport. That funding was obviously very welcome. This is Ireland's premier tourist route. It is in a shocking and dangerous condition. It has lags, humps and hollows. It is 70% substandard. It has been underfunded for decades. In Cahersiveen town, the road and footpath are in a disgraceful condition. It is comp…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, and the Members for accommodating me. I am happy enough now.
There is no doubt that households and businesses are under enormous pressure from rising energy costs. Wholesale electricity prices increased by almost 10% in August alone, significantly higher than they were a year ago. The international situation, in particular the conflict in the Middle East, is having a direct impact on global energy markets and, ultimately, consumers in Ireland.
The Government has already put s…
I acknowledge the €10 million allocation for the Ring of Kerry road by the Minister for Transport this year. However, this national secondary road has been neglected for decades, with many sections in a dangerous and shocking condition and with many humps and hollows. It is up to 70% substandard. Thankfully, at long last, €1.5 million has been announced for Cahersiveen town, with works to commence in the coming weeks…
I want to make a particular point about the impact of the proposed fare increases on people in my county. I recognise the significant investment the Government is making in public transport. In 2026, €940 million is being invested across the public transport network and that investment is badly needed. However, we need more capacity, more services and better connectivity.
As a backbench Government TD, my responsibil…
I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion on fuel, energy and carbon tax relief. This issue matters enormously to people in my constituency of Kerry and across rural Ireland. When we talk about energy prices in this House, we have to remember that behind every statistic is a family, an individual trying to heat his or her home, a person trying to get to work or a small business trying to keep its doors open. …
This is a very important Bill. As the Minister is aware, disability services in Kerry face huge challenges, including staffing shortages, long waiting lists for children's assessments, respite for children and a lack of adult residential and respite care. There is a huge backlog in relation to assessments of need and huge issues with services, accessing services and staffing. As the Minister is aware, the HSE and Ker…
I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on home heating oil and the very real pressure energy costs are placing on households across Ireland. This is an issue that I hear about every day from constituents in County Kerry. For many families in rural Ireland, home heating oil is not something that can be simply replaced overnight. It is the main source of heating in their home and when the tank needs to …
I welcome the opportunity to raise the very real challenges facing our hospitality and tourism sector. I acknowledge the Government's decision to reinstate a 9% VAT rate. I have spoken to businesses in Killarney, Cahersiveen, Killorglin, Dingle, Castleisland and elsewhere in Kerry and I have been told very clearly that the return to 9% has made a considerable difference. It is giving businesses some breathing space. …
The latest research shows hospitality electricity costs increased by 61.7% between July 2023 and July 2026 while labour costs increased by 15% and insurance by 26.6%.
The situation with energy is particularly concerning. Figures published today show that wholesale energy electricity prices were 76.9% higher in August than there were a year ago, having increased by almost 10% in August alone. Eurostat data also show that Ireland had the highest non-household electricity prices in the EU in the second half of 2025. I am hearing consequences directly from businesses all over Kerry. I…
I welcome the response and I reiterate the appreciation I am hearing from businesses all over Kerry for the restoration of the 9% VAT rate, which has made a considerable difference. However, we need to make sure that our hospitality businesses can continue to employ people, invest, remain competitive and provide the tourism product on which communities such as those across County Kerry depend. The concern is that we …
I also raise Garda numbers in towns and villages, this time in Kerry. I am referring not just to Killarney and Tralee but to Castleisland, Dingle, Kenmare, Killorglin and Cahersiveen. In one particular area, Portmagee, there was always a garda until a few years ago. I have made representations on that.
The other issue I wish to raise is drink spiking. It is becoming very common across the world, but also here, inclu…
I call on the Minister for housing and local government to intervene in a most urgent matter in County Kerry where subcontractors to Uisce Éireann are being left to wait for two, three or four months without being paid for work that has been carried out. This is not acceptable. These delayed payments mean subcontractors are unable to pay wages or for diesel due to cash flow problems. This is happening right across my…
With delayed payments, interest should be applied to overdue accounts paid to contractors similar to local authorities, utilities and other bodies that have this payment system. Why not Uisce Éireann? Why should it be allowed to get off scot-free especially with the manner in which it is blackguarding contractors and subcontractors?
It does not pay to provide a 24-7 call-out service without payment. That is an obvio…
I welcome the publication today of the draft national planning statement on rural and Gaeltacht housing, which represents the most significant reform of rural housing policy in over 20 years. As a rural TD for Kerry, I know at first hand the frustration, inconsistency and uncertainty that many families have faced when trying to build a home where they were born and raised. I was glad to engage consistently with the T…
7. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [23619/26]
I want to raise again the chronic shortage of respite for children with profound disabilities in County Kerry. Families are waiting seven or eight months for one or two nights' break and they are at breaking point. The same applies with regard to adults with profound disabilities in Kerry. The issue of respite for these individuals and their families must be of the very highest priority. There is a wonderful centre a…
12. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will be reviewing the group B and group C thresholds under capital acquisitions tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48383/26]
I raise again the issue of inheritance tax and the anomalies that exist for parents and their children, on one hand, and childless adults, their brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, on the other.
I have raised this issue on a number of occasions. It is a huge issue and there are anomalies. We need to address this. Currently, children inheriting a family home from their parents are exempted from inheritance tax up to €400,000, which, considering the price of homes currently, is undoubtedly far too low. However, a major anomaly exists when it comes to childless couples and individuals, who often decide to leave…
I believe we should separate the limit on the house from any other inheritance. The €40,000 cap in the case of a niece, nephew, brother or sister is absolutely ridiculous and discriminatory. In the upcoming budget, I propose that the Minister increase the €40,000 cap and we separate the house from the inheritance. The bands are less today than they were 15 or 16 years ago, as they were reduced during the recession. I…