Party in particular understood the difference between democratic opposition and destructive opposition.
Last week, a Sinn Féin spokesman said on Virgin Media that Leaders' Questions was set up at the foundation of the State to hold the Government to account. Leaders' Question were, of course, introduced … recently as 2001. The Labour Party opposed the introduction of Leaders' Questions because it felt that the alternative of a free-for-all on the Order of Business was better for the Opposition. The party also questioned the then Ceann Comhairle's rulings. It strongly opposed the changes
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fáilte roimh an ambasadóir chuig Tithe an Oireachtais. Cuirim fáilte roimh na páistí chuig Tithe an Oireachtais fosta.
As we approach the last Leaders' Questions, I want to wish you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, and all the staff of the House a happy Christmas. Nollaig shona daoibh agus … fheicimid ná i gcúrsaí tithíochta. Tá méadú de €31,000 tagtha ar phraghsanna tithe le bliain anuas.
This is the final Leaders' Questions of 2025. It brings us to a moment of reckoning. When the Tánaiste became the leader of Fine Gael, he spoke directly to parents
Parliament inside out and upside down. It is seriously pushing to allow Michael Lowry and his group of TDs to be part of Leaders' Questions. It is also trying to extend this right to backbench TDs from its own parties, who already have multiple opportunities to speak … opportunity for all TDs, including backbench Government TDs, to put questions. This makes it crystal clear that this is all about Michael Lowry.
Leaders' Questions is the main facility for the Opposition to hold the Government to account. It is critical to the democratic integrity of the Dáil
ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent:
(i) only three Leaders' Questions pursuant to Standing Order 38 shall be taken, in the following temporary sequence: Sinn Féin, the Labour Party and Social Democrats;
(ii) Parliamentary Questions … ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent:
(i) only three Leaders' Questions pursuant to Standing Order 38 shall be taken, in the following temporary sequence: Sinn Féin, Social Democrats and the Independent and Parties Technical Group
parties who have stayed in here to debate such an important issue. Last week when I raised these issues with the Taoiseach during Leaders' Questions, he outlined the level of Government investment in childcare, but investment is not the same as sustainability. The Taoiseach answered how much Government … still feeling the pinch.
I sat down with the sector's representatives over the last few weeks. I raised it very specifically at Leaders' Questions last week to the Taoiseach. He is not taking in the reality of the crisis they find themselves in. They are not shutting
Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that:
1. notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders:
(a) the Order of Business shall be taken immediately;
(b) Leaders Questions and Questions on Policy or Legislation pursuant to Standing Orders 36 and 38 shall not be taken and the rota for Leaders Questions
Tuesday and silence SNAs and families on Wednesday. It has not succeeded. SNAs are not stupid. As Deputy Bacik said yesterday during Leaders' Questions, they know a pause is not a plan.
The Taoiseach's performance yesterday during Leaders' Questions was incredible. It showed signs of a Government
fact that there are no minimum standards of care when it comes to home care services. I recall raising this very report during Leaders' Questions. At that time, I was assured the regulations were being worked on by the Minister. That report and that Leaders' Questions were from
Before we commence Leaders’ Questions, I ask colleagues to join me in extending a warm welcome to H.E. Ms Kara Owen, the British ambassador to Ireland, who has joined us in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Ambassador Owen, who has recently commenced her role, is accompanied in the Chamber … House and that your continued study of the history of this House will give you great interest in politics for the future.
On Leaders' Questions, I call Deputy Doherty
Members’ Bill to the Order Paper (without debate)
- Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform on Rota for Leaders’ Questions pursuant to Standing Order 38 (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately)
- Appropriation Bill 2025 (Second Stage) (to conclude within … taken without debate;
6. the proceedings on the Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform on Rota for Leaders’ Questions pursuant to Standing Order 38 shall be taken without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately; and
7. the proceedings
Leaders' Questions, not aspiring leaders' questions
encouraging people to go into work without fear of losing their health entitlements or the various other entitlements they have.
Earlier during Leaders' Questions, we dealt with questions in respect of Harvey Morrison Sherratt. I would say to the Deputy the Minister is this afternoon meeting with … family. It is a draft because the HSE wanted the family's input into that. I dealt with the protected disclosure earlier on Leaders' Questions. The Minister did not see that. All protected disclosures do not go to the Ministers per se. The Minister has an obligation
Thursday, the Dáil shall adjourn on the conclusion of topical issues;
(b) in relation to the ordinary routine of business—
(i) Leaders' Questions pursuant to Standing Order 38 shall not be taken on Tuesday, and shall be taken as the second item of business on Wednesday and Thursday … other than the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 47,
(ii) Other Members' Questions pursuant to Standing Order 38A shall be taken immediately following Leaders' Questions on Wednesday and Thursday,
(iii) there shall be no Order of Business pursuant to Standing Order 35 on Tuesday,
(iv) there shall
people with intellectual disabilities, and to below 20% for disabled women in Ireland. It is not only about the economic impact. During Leaders' Questions earlier, Deputy Cairns raised the fact that 76% of people who are disabled are facing poverty. It is not just about the economic impact … area: education. The two are inextricably linked because accessing employment relies on us having access to education throughout our lives. Even today during Leaders' Questions, the Taoiseach was celebrating that we have opened 16 special schools this year. The fact that we are talking about special schools again
announced in January. It will be important to see soon what work, if any, the unit has undertaken. The Taoiseach mentioned on Leaders' Questions earlier today that he is in the process of setting up the disability unit in his Department. However, we are now five months … sense of urgency in action that was so vivid in pre-election rhetoric?
My party colleague, Deputy Cian O'Callaghan, speaking on Leaders' Questions called on the Government to comply with the Disability Act and to complete AONs within the statutory timeframe. The Taoiseach responded with a frustrated
over ten years. There was a parliamentary question on 2 February 2017, and on 22 February 2018 I raised the issue during Leaders' Questions with the current Tánaiste, who was Minister for Health at the time. It is always the same answer: "We must do more." He said … they would be prosecuted. I wonder when a Government Minister will be prosecuted. I was shocked at the arrogance of the Taoiseach during Leaders' Questions today. His attitude was "shoot the messenger" and blame the psychologists - we are breaking the law but we will change
areas they want to discuss.
Regarding what was said by Deputy O'Callaghan, I think, regarding speaking rights, we have just had Leaders' Questions. Leaders' Questions were allocated by party and grouping. The Other Members' Questions will be allocated by party and grouping. We are following the Standing
identify two parts of it. One was the office of the Ceann Comhairle, is that not right, Taoiseach? Second was speaking rights at Leaders' Questions and of course that suits you because it blunts the accountability mechanism. Leaders' Questions is the set-piece event, as we know
have one sentence and I move to Leaders' Questions and if it is not taken up I will move to the next leader's questions. You are quite entitled, Deputy McDonald, to bring a motion. If you are not happy with what I have just said … ruling you are fully entitled to bring a motion under Salient Ruling 403. I am now moving to Leaders' Questions
move:
Tuesday's business shall be:
- Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform entitled ‘Rotas and arrangements for Leaders’ Questions, Questions nominated for priority and Private Members’ Time’ (without debate)
- Statements on Mental Health (not to exceed 2 hrs 25 mins)
Tuesday … business;
2. the proceedings on the Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform entitled ‘Rotas and arrangements for Leaders’ Questions, Questions nominated for priority and Private Members’ Time’ shall be taken without debate;
3. the Statements on Mental Health shall not exceed
Dáil, the rotas and arrangements recommended in the Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform titled "Rotas and arrangements for Leaders' Questions, Questions nominated for priority and Private Members' Time", a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 17th February, 2025, be adopted … relation to Leaders' Questions pursuant to Standing Order 38, with effect from 18th February, 2025,
(b) in relation to Parliamentary Questions nominated for priority pursuant to Standing Order 50, with effect from 25th February, 2025, and
(c) in relation to private members' time pursuant to Standing Order
Schedule 3 to Standing Orders is modified to the extent that, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 34(1)—
(i) only three Leaders' Questions pursuant to Standing Order 38 shall be taken, in the following temporary sequence: Sinn Féin, the Labour Party and Social Democrats;
(ii) Parliamentary Questions … Standing Order 39 shall be taken immediately following the resumed Statements on the Government’s Response to Storm Éowyn; and
(d) only three Leaders' Questions pursuant to Standing Order 38 shall be taken, in the following temporary sequence: Sinn Féin, Independent and Parties Technical Group (IPTG), and Independent
Before I commence Leaders' Questions, I ask colleagues to join me in offering a warm céad míle fáilte to our guests in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery from the Arizona Legislature. They are led by Senator Frank Carroll, whom I had the great honour of meeting earlier this year
changes will come about - not tonight, not tomorrow, but on budget day. That is where the decisions will be made.
Today, during Leaders' Questions, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, outlined some of the broad brush-strokes of the budget. Of course, nothing is definite until budget
will now proceed with the business. For the first Leaders' Questions of the session, I call Deputy Mary Lou McDonald
In parliamentary questions
Eoin Ó Broin
Written
Environment the actions he is taking to investigate the allegation of price gouging levelled by the Taoiseach against energy suppliers during Leaders' Questions on 14 October and in light of evidence of price gouging highlighted by the International Energy Agency report (details supplied). [57356/25
Peadar Tóibín
Written
Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to an exchange during Leaders’ Questions on 21 May 2024, the timeframe set out in the Climate Action Plan 2024 for when the revised wind guidelines will be published and the review into
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