I welcome the statements on the budget. Like others, I recognise that this is the first of five budgets in this cycle. The key premise and most important thing about this budget is that it is about safeguarding the economy and protecting jobs. That is central to us having the most high-functioning economy in the whole of Europe. That had to underpin any decisions that were made.
Previous speakers mentioned the carer…
TDs / Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Portrait: © Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence) · source file
955
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
44,321
words spoken in the chamber
Across 211 contributions. Plus 40 contributions from the chair, not counted
407
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
214
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 955 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 211 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 1 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 66 | 24 |
| March 2025 | 74 | 9 |
| April 2025 | 109 | 17 |
| May 2025 | 43 | 12 |
| June 2025 | 64 | 10 |
| July 2025 | 50 | 1 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 59 | 5 |
| October 2025 | 27 | 20 |
| November 2025 | 48 | 16 |
| December 2025 | 28 | 4 |
| January 2026 | 131 | 14 |
| February 2026 | 59 | 18 |
| March 2026 | 45 | 20 |
| April 2026 | 46 | 4 |
| May 2026 | 23 | 16 |
| June 2026 | 34 | 10 |
| July 2026 | 24 | 1 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 11 | 4 |
| October 2026 | 13 | 6 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 148 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 Fianna Fáil 29 November 2024 to now
In addition to that-----
I thought I had more time. I apologise to Deputy Neville.
93. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports available in budget 2026 for the tillage sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55463/25]
The tillage sector is a vital part of the agrifood sector. A series of three consecutive poor harvests has severely impacted the viability of the tillage sector in Ireland. What supports are available in budget 2026 for the sector?
I welcome the €50 million additional funding and the commitment given today that a consultation process with key stakeholders will take place. When 1,000 farmers attend a meeting, it shows that there is a problem and a big challenge in the sector. We know the tillage sector contributes €1.3 billion annually to the Irish economy, but the sector is in decline, as the Minister outlined. The area under tillage farming in…
It was recently reported that the Department of agriculture intends to reopen the technical files on Irish whiskey. Currently, Irish whiskey is defined as a "spirit distilled on the island of Ireland ... from a mash of malted cereals, with or without whole grains of other cereals". By this definition, there is absolutely no requirement at the moment to use Irish grain in the production of Irish whiskey. Is the Minist…
The escalation in expenditure for the TB programme over the last number of years has been nothing short of phenomenal. There was €37 million in 2019, €43 million in 2020, €52 million in 2021, €57 million in 2022, €74 million in 2023 and €100 million in 2024. I attended a meeting of the agricultural committee last June where it was predicted that we were on track for €130 million for 2025. If the trends continue, we a…
Irish farmers and agrifood companies produce world class products to the highest international standards of food safety and quality. Our food safety and traceability systems continue to be recognised as among the very best in the world and are critical to supporting the export of our produce across the globe. In my part of the country in Counties Carlow and Kilkenny, I have spoken to many concerned farmers and repres…
83. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on delivery under the croí cónaithe towns scheme in Kilkenny and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53883/25]
84. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health for an update on the proposed new primary care centre for Graiguenamanagh; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52193/25]
Primary care centres add huge value to communities across the country, including my own in Carlow-Kilkenny. There is a lot of excitement in my home town of Graiguenamanagh about our new proposed primary care centre. I would like an update on how that is progressing.
That is most welcome news. I understand the new centre is planned to be a two-storey facility of approximately 20,000 sq. m, with accommodation for GP practices and community nursing, as well as dental services and therapies. However, the key thing about this primary care centre is its rural location, and the accessibility challenges a lot of people where I am from have in getting access to top-class care. Towns and …
I thank the Minister. I know from my experience of dealing with other primary care centres around the constituency that there is a really strong, enhanced community and patient experience at such centres. Patients can build long-term relationships with their providers, which can lead to better communication and more personalised care, which is really promising. I am really excited about the various strands of care th…
I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this vital issue of sports capital grants and their significance to communities right across the country, in particular in my own constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. I will focus specifically on the sports capital grants, which play an essential role in promoting healthy lifestyles and community spirit. The investment of €250 million over the last couple of years in ove…
11. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy will next meet. [46874/25]
We all know there is a huge amount of work to be done on flood protection and flood mitigation. I acknowledge the €1.3 billion that has been set aside under the flood risk investment programme. Flooding in Ireland can have a significant impact on homes, businesses, people and communities. While I accept the problem of flooding cannot be eliminated, it can be managed or mitigated to reduce its likelihood, severity or …
Thank you, Minister. We will get you back in.
I take the opportunity to wish Deputy Connolly the very best of luck in her campaign in the next couple of weeks. I wish her very well.
We are looking forward to the new community nursing unit in Thomastown.
It is being completed at the moment. It will be a purpose-built facility to support the older population of south and central Kilkenny. It will support discharges from St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny and University Hospital in Waterford. It will be a lifeline for many and a gamechanger for the region. When does the Minister envisage this new commu…
I am delighted to be here today for statements on the use of vapes and nicotine products by young people. Fianna Fáil is the party that introduced the smoking ban. We have a steadfast commitment to improving public health but we have to go further. I know this legislation will tackle the rise in the use of vapes by children and young people by reducing their attractiveness and availability but I just want to make thr…
I welcome the statements today on school transport. As a rural TD, the challenges families across Carlow and Kilkenny experience with school transport come across my desk every day. I wish to make a couple of quick points. The first point relates to the importance of accessibility. Every single child in this State deserves access to safe and reliable transport to and from school. It is non-negotiable. Not only is it …
95. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline his plans for a new policy on private wires. [49010/25]
Deputy Paul Murphy is not here, so it is Deputy Farrell's lucky day. She has two in a row. You are up again.
As Deputy Heneghan is not here to take Question No. 4, we will move to Deputy Kerrane.