35. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the status of the EU-Israel association agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38376/26]
TDs / Catherine Callaghan
Catherine Callaghan
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385
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
34,437
words spoken in the chamber
Across 138 contributions
427
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
119
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 385 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 138 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| March 2025 | 11 | 4 |
| April 2025 | 27 | 13 |
| May 2025 | 8 | 7 |
| June 2025 | 10 | 3 |
| July 2025 | 4 | 3 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 34 | 10 |
| October 2025 | 16 | 10 |
| November 2025 | 10 | 7 |
| December 2025 | 20 | 4 |
| January 2026 | 21 | 13 |
| February 2026 | 68 | 13 |
| March 2026 | 16 | 11 |
| April 2026 | 11 | 9 |
| May 2026 | 64 | 10 |
| June 2026 | 18 | 6 |
| July 2026 | 23 | 8 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 8 | 5 |
| October 2026 | 15 | 1 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 104 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 Carlow-Kilkenny 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fine Gael 29 November 2024 to now
This week, in Carlow, we received the news that Carlow College will wind down operation as a third level institution over the course of the next two years. This came as a tremendous shock to the 87 members of staff who went into work on Tuesday only to find out that they are losing their jobs. While consultation is under way, staff need clarity and they need it now. One staff member said to me that this is not just a…
I stand in this Chamber today as the only person in the Thirty-fourth Dáil who has served in Óglaigh na hÉireann and the only current Deputy who has signed the oath of allegiance, the same oath of allegiance that all members of the Defence Forces sign. When we sign, we say we will only obey lawful orders. Lawful orders are orders that are fully and wholly in alignment and accordance with international law. I have als…
93. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on her actions to date to ensure cadet pay is increased to bring cadets in line with other entrants into the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33214/26]
I am asking for increased State funding for supported care homes in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. Supported care homes like Mount Carmel Supported Care Home, Callan, St. Fiacc's House, Graiguecullen and St. Lazerian's House, Bagenalstown, to name just three across the constituency that I have visited, provide a vital service to their communities, helping to prevent social isolation in elder years while maintain…
13. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will increase his departmental budget allocation in budget 2027 to those in receipt of the State pension, in response to the increased cost of living as a result of the conflict in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31283/26]
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire for that response. I absolutely welcome all the measures he outlined that were contained in budget 2026 and that had a good impact on the State pension and those in receipt of it. However, what I really need to stress is that we are not living in ordinary times. There is a war raging in the Middle East. It is affecting everyone across Europe and in Ireland. There is no end in sight. What…
I welcome the Minister's focus on the fuel allowance. It is a very good scheme but is not agile enough to cope with the increases that are going to happen. The Minister said, "if this ... [war] continues". It will no doubt continue into the winter and it might still be with us this time next year. That is what I understand and feel, and our State pensioners are feeling that too. They would like more communication and…
105. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide funding for increased car parking facilities in Carlow and Muine Bheag train stations in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31281/26]
Is the Minister considering providing funding for increased car parking spaces in Carlow and Muine Bheag train stations in County Carlow, particularly in light of the ongoing fuel crisis in Ireland as a result of the war that shows no sign of abating, to try to give 7,000 commuters an alternative to taking their cars to work?
The Minister of State is correct. Carlow is a thriving university town. I have also been calling for increased train services from Carlow - actually from Waterford all the way through Kilkenny to Dublin and vice versa. We need to have a change of focus. I welcome the report that has been done by Iarnród Éireann and the desire to have park-and-ride facilities throughout the country. However, in the current geopolitica…
I really welcome that very positive response and the proactive and ambitious plans for the future for rail networks through Carlow and into Kilkenny. I attended a meeting in Mullinavat this week. This is kind of separate from my question, but while I have the opportunity, I will mention that there is an disused train station in Mullinavat. It would be very interesting to explore whether we could recreate a stop there…
I would like to speak on behalf of those in Carlow and Kilkenny who are in receipt of the State pension. As we all know, State pensioners worked hard their entire lives. They paid into the pot to ensure that they have in income to help them sustain not an extravagant lifestyle in retirement but to have enough in order that they do not have to worry unnecessarily about household bills and everyday essentials in their …
I acknowledge on the record what people are feeling across the country right now. I understand that families are anxious. Older people are worried about heating their homes. Farmers and small businesses are watching costs rise, week by week. Their concerns are genuine and they deserve to be treated with seriousness, respect and empathy.
The war in Iran has destabilised global energy markets. This is a reality that n…
I would like to use my time to suggest a way to improve cancer care outcomes in counties Carlow and Kilkenny. In figures given to me by the Irish cancer Society, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, in 2024, 47% of Carlow people diagnosed with cancer died from the disease. In the same year, 47% of Kilkenny people diagnosed with cancer died from the disease. We have made significant progress in improving survival rates…
I want to be associated with the expression of sympathy to Deputy Roche and his family.
My proposal to introduce a publicly available blood test for detecting multiple cancers at once is scientifically sound, economically sensible and morally necessary. Every delay in adopting this technology represents a missed opportunity to detect cancers early, to treat them more effectively and to save lives. As the Tánaiste ha…
I wish to raise the state of our local roads in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. While the recent spell of persistent heavy rain has thankfully ceased for the moment, the damage done to our roads in the flash floodings of January this year, particularly in rural parts of Carlow and Kilkenny, is still very evident and is causing grave disruption and inconvenience, disproportionately affecting rural dwellers. I comm…
I would like to talk about housing supply in Carlow. We all agree that a quicker way to increase supply is to utilise existing buildings. I have to give kudos to Carlow County Council, which has made huge inroads tackling vacancy and dereliction, with a particular focus on providing town centre older persons' housing to facilitate the 339 older persons living alone in two- and three-bedroom council houses in Carlow s…
People are feeling the sting in their pockets. As I passed filling stations in Ballon and Tinryland on my way to work this morning, I saw diesel well in excess of €2 per litre, which I had never seen before. It is clear to me that this matter affects all households and it requires an appropriate, well-thought-out and fair response, not a knee-jerk reaction. This war is not of our making and it is happening many thous…
-----we live in an increasingly volatile and interdependent world, so can we please keep all measures open to review for as long as the conflict in the Gulf continues?
157. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the development of the national centre of excellence for traditional skills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16774/26]
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I thank the Minister of State. He has almost answered my next question. It is very heartening to hear we are all thinking along the same lines. It is very important we recognise that over recent years there has been a growth in appreciation for the role of traditional craft works in Irish society. Skills such as thatching and stonemasonry have often been looked at in a nostalgic way as cherished emblems of an older I…
I was at the announcement when the Minister, Deputy Lawless, came to KCETB. It was a brilliant announcement and a very positive day. Deputy John McGuinness was also there. I emphasise that we would like to see it delivered to ensure progress continues.
There is a unique cultural value to Irish traditional craft. Irish craft is renowned worldwide for its intricate design, high level of cultural significance and unbea…
I welcome the announcement that a facilitator, Mr. Remy Farrell SC, has been appointed to the scoping exercise and terms of reference for the public inquiry into the spina bifida and scoliosis services. Over the next 16 weeks, I look forward to families engaging with Mr. Farrell to inform the structure of the inquiry. I am a firm believer that when it comes to public inquiries, we must take into account the views of …