That is the truth. We see here during Leaders' Questions that the Opposition does not want any of us over here to be able to speak. There is a new tactic since the Dáil came back. It is studs up, shout them down, put up the video on Twitter and misrepresent the position.
TDs / Simon Harris
0
questions asked
Members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them
566,209
words spoken in the chamber
566,201 as a minister, 8 as a TD
140
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
From the Dáil chamber only: committee meetings are not in this archive.
Members of the Government answer parliamentary questions rather than ask them, so this page lists none of theirs.
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Low months are usually recesses, when the Dáil does not sit. The archive runs to 22 October 2026.
Contributions to debates 2,972 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
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| Month | Contributions |
|---|---|
| December 2024 | 4 |
| January 2025 | 4 |
| February 2025 | 255 |
| March 2025 | 42 |
| April 2025 | 83 |
| May 2025 | 249 |
| June 2025 | 175 |
| July 2025 | 144 |
| August 2025 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 79 |
| October 2025 | 214 |
| November 2025 | 347 |
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| January 2026 | 97 |
| February 2026 | 197 |
| March 2026 | 187 |
| April 2026 | 226 |
| May 2026 | 119 |
| June 2026 | 127 |
| July 2026 | 93 |
| August 2026 | 2 |
| September 2026 | 83 |
| October 2026 | 53 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 2,685 contributions in the regular slots, such as Leaders' Questions and Priority Questions. Speech from the chair is not counted.
Party, constituency and offices
- constituency Wicklow 29 November 2024 to now
- office Taoiseach 29 November 2024 to 22 January 2025
- party Fine Gael 29 November 2024 to now
- office Minister for Defence 23 January 2025 to 25 March 2025
- office Minister for Foreign Affairs 23 January 2025 to 25 March 2025
- office Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 26 March 2025 to 18 November 2025
- office Minister for Defence 26 March 2025 to 18 November 2025
- office Minister for Finance 18 November 2025 to now
We are not going to take it anymore. I am going to speak on behalf of my democratic mandate as well.
I love the fact Deputy Louise O'Reilly thinks everything is so hilarious. I do not think it is hilarious that the Opposition is continuing to misrepresent people in here having a chance to ask a question. People who got elected in the Deputy's constituency who support the Government-----
-----have every right as well-----
On the second part of Deputy Boyd Barrett's question, on section 39 workers, I agree that these individuals do incredibly important work in our health, disability and social care services. I also agree that we need to address the issue of pay with urgency. That is why, this week, my Cabinet colleagues, the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, updated the Cabinet on this matter. The next…
There is the arrogance.
The Deputy must be exhausted from all that shouting at me. There is no need to shout at me. I am listening to him very clearly here.
I am hearing and listening. Please listen back.
I have said very clearly we are going to go to the WRC, and yes I am going to say "WRC" because, as the Deputy's constituent would know and as everybody around the country knows, that is where we sort out pay issues.
We do not sort them by shouting and roaring at each other. We sort them through the established industrial relations mechanism of this country.
The Government sets the mandate for that. I have already told the Deputy and, much more important, people at home that the Cabinet was updated on this matter this week and the talks are going to progress at the WRC on Monday.
No, sorry, that is a commitment. It is a very clear commitment.
It is a very clear commitment to make progress.
Deputy Boyd Barrett let the mask slip here. He believes his question and the ferocity of his question are better than all their questions-----
-----and more valuable. It is not. The Deputy is definitely a passionate contributor, but everybody in government and opposition-----
This a parliamentary democracy and everyone has a right to put their question-----
-----and I am going to vindicate the right of my party colleagues.
This is the Dáil.
That is a bit unfair.
I thank Deputy O'Donoghue for the question. I also thank him for meeting me and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney and for bringing some of his constituents to see me about this issue. The stress, anxiety and worry of the people the Deputy brought to meet me are experiencing was very clear. I acknowledge that. Before we get into science, guidelines and everything else, I accept the bona fides of the people concerne…
I have acknowledged that this has gone on for a very long time. That is true, and there is no getting away from it. I have also tried to provide, which I accept may be cold comfort to some of the Deputy's constituents and people he has interacted with, some of the rationale behind that, including the evolving planning legislation, the national planning framework and, more crucially perhaps, the bringing in of experts…
I will ask the new Minister, Deputy Browne, to provide the Deputy with a timeline and to write to him regarding this matter.
I am conscious of the comments of the Ceann Comhairle in relation of this matter and am respectful of them. This issue was raised in the House by the Deputy's colleague Deputy Farrell two weeks ago. I commented on the matter then and I have also commented on it in the media. In doing so, at all times I have been very conscious of the privacy of the individual involved and their wish for no further public comment rega…
I have also said that this was an incident that happened many years before my leadership.
I accept the Deputy has been constructive in her framing but I have seen very little evidence of calm in this place today or in recent days on this matter. I am always happy to engage but I am also respectful of process. The Dáil reform committee, which has representatives of all our parties, has now concluded its process by way of a democratic vote. I do not intend to undermine that or undermine my party colleagues …