48. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the proposed changes to the triple lock will impact on Ireland’s policy of being militarily neutral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30705/25]
TDs / John Clendennen
John Clendennen
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709
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
31,070
words spoken in the chamber
Across 128 contributions
418
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
182
topics asked about
Across 19 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 709 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 128 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 12 | 3 |
| March 2025 | 26 | 5 |
| April 2025 | 21 | 9 |
| May 2025 | 17 | 6 |
| June 2025 | 53 | 17 |
| July 2025 | 32 | 5 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 40 | 15 |
| October 2025 | 23 | 4 |
| November 2025 | 17 | 3 |
| December 2025 | 8 | 5 |
| January 2026 | 113 | 5 |
| February 2026 | 36 | 8 |
| March 2026 | 39 | 11 |
| April 2026 | 40 | 6 |
| May 2026 | 66 | 6 |
| June 2026 | 29 | 4 |
| July 2026 | 54 | 5 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 1 |
| September 2026 | 56 | 3 |
| October 2026 | 27 | 7 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 105 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 Offaly 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fine Gael 29 November 2024 to now
97. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the latest figures for school completion rates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30703/25]
Will the Minister provide an update on the latest figures for school completion rates?
I firmly believe the Minister has made great strides on the issue of school completion. Initiatives such as free school books, hot meals, transport and even the school clothing and footwear allowance announced this week are all helping to encourage more people to stay engaged in education. Youth services have an important role to play as well. Some of the initiatives Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, LOE…
While we see an increase in the youth population in Offaly, we also see an increase in youth dependency rates. That is a call more than ever before to see this funding allocated where it is needed most. In the context of the Minister’s previous role as Minister for Justice, if we can ensure this funding is allocated and effective, we mitigate the possibility of antisocial behaviour, mental health issues, substance mi…
117. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the number and type of trade promotion events he has participated in since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25107/25]
I thank the Minister. I met with agriculture students and teachers at Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, LOETB, at the Intro to Ag initiative in recent days. I have also met with producers and farmers. It is clear that they are extremely proud of the high regard for Irish produce across the world. However, there is also a level of innovation today within this sector is best in class. It is important that …
While other speakers made reference to the threat of TB, there is also the threat of trade tariffs. We need to remove the barriers in our control, one example of which is alcohol labelling.
We need to look at growing our existing markets as well. France and Germany have similar populations, yet we export three times the produce to Germany that we do to France. I have to question why that is the case. What are the ba…
I start by welcoming Josie, Jacek, Cillian and Eabha along with their teachers, Ms Lavin and Ms Keyes, and congratulating them on their outstanding achievement as European debating champions.
Reports this week from the national claims information database have highlighted further increases in motor insurance premiums. This is no doubt an added financial strain on motorists at a time when there are so many demands wi…
This afternoon, I attended an event in Buswells Hotel hosted by Engineers Ireland, where it was stated that 65% of the children in our primary schools today will work in jobs that do not exist yet. I recently attended Banagher College to celebrate the Laois-Offaly ETB STEAM showcase event that recognises more inspiring projects in robotics, coding and virtual reality; initiatives that are truly reshaping Offaly's fut…
In recent weeks, the debating team at St. Brendan's Community School, Birr, was crowned European debating champions. A team from Coláiste Choilm in Tullamore is in Texas right now competing in the VEX IQ Robotics Competition. Students from Sacred Heart school, Tullamore, will be in Texas next week, along with students from Cork and Kildare, all of whom will be competing against the best in the world from more than 50…
Offaly and the wider midlands have powered this nation for generations, first through peat and now through renewables. We have led from the front but today we face a critical turning point in our energy and economic future. Midlands just transition was meant to ensure that no community was left behind in the move to a climate-neutral economy but for many in Offaly it has felt like a promise made but certainly not kep…
I fully agree that in our renewable energy journey, we have hit many important milestones. As part of that journey, Offaly has been to the forefront. In addition to mapping, we also need to see a greater level of community recognition. In tandem with renewable zoning, we must overhaul the community benefit fund under the renewable energy support scheme. The current €2 per MW/h is too diluted. There are too many small…
I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue. Over the past number of years very significant progress has been made on insurance reform. The importance of insurance and the security and protection it provides for policyholders cannot be underestimated and it must be readily available and affordable. The impetus for and the objectives of all the recent reform was very simple. Insurance premiums were to…
I thank the Minister of State. In no uncertain terms, this will lead to an increase in premiums and costs to every one of the societal areas I mentioned in my earlier contribution. General damages awards in Ireland remain significantly higher than in Europe. Increasing them further will only put more businesses at a competitive disadvantage and place even more pressure on strained sectors of society. We have made mea…
The promises President Trump made from the Rose Garden last night were essentially protectionism with thorny tariffs, presenting challenges and uncertainty for many sectors, including businesses, farmers and livelihoods in County Offaly. It is essential we maintain a sense of calm with a measured response, proactively working with our EU counterparts through trade, diversification and deepening relationships with oth…
138. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of embassies and consulates of Ireland operating at present; how this compared with the number at the time of the launch of the Global Island strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15450/25]
Thank you very much, a Cheann Comhairle. I wish you well, and it is good to see you back in the Chair.
How many embassies and consulates is Ireland operating and how does this compare with the number at the time of the launch of the Global Ireland strategy?
I thank the Tánaiste. We have made fantastic progress in this area and it is commendable what has been achieved with respect to bolstering our global footprint. That whole Ireland House system has been a wonderful initiative, and it has never been more needed given our ever-changing and ever-shifting global priorities.
When you speak to members of the diaspora, you get a great sense of pride and appreciation for wha…
When you look at days like St. Patrick's Day and what it achieves in reaching every corner of the world, the more locations where we can have a presence and be able to promote Ireland that way, the better. It also opens an opportunity for greater connectivity around the world. When you see the number of people who are coming here to work from the likes of South America, there is a real opportunity here, through balan…
The local improvement scheme is one of the best schemes we have seen in terms of reaching corners of all parts of rural Ireland that may not necessarily have street lights or that may be waiting for broadband to be delivered. We should be encouraging councils to clear all their backlogs rather than breaking it down into districts or otherwise. If we can see a way to a situation where applications are sought, funding …
85. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is a central set of criteria which apply under the local enhancement programme, given that the funding is decided at a local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14607/25]
I wish both the Minister and the Minister of State well in their new roles. I ask if there is a central set of criteria which apply under the local enhancement programme, given that the funding is decided at a local level, and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Rialtas as an obair le deich mbliana anuas chun tacú le tuath na hÉireann. It is important to look at the last ten years and see the progress that has been made in rural Ireland, with the establishment of this very Department in providing a strategic plan, a focus and funding for every rural community. Through the Local Government Reform Act 2014, I have seen first hand, through the establish…
I ask that feedback might be taken from local authorities on the applications that were made and the sums that were sought versus what was actually allocated to see what shortfall there was, if any. It is important where good initiatives come forward that they get the full support of the Government and the State.
Second, there is a time element as regards the administration burden on local community groups. I ask th…