Tipperary North — week of Mon, 17 Feb — Watch Them Work

What your Tipperary North TDs did this week

Mon, 17 Feb – 23 Feb 2025 · 3 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 55 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages

2025-02-19 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 101–55

Voted for 2 Michael Lowry · Ryan O'Meara

Voted against 1 Alan Kelly

Provision of Special Education

2025-02-19 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 87–69

Voted for 2 Michael Lowry · Ryan O'Meara

Voted against 1 Alan Kelly

The motion · motion passed 87–70

Voted for 2 Michael Lowry · Ryan O'Meara

Voted against 1 Alan Kelly

Housing Crisis

2025-02-19 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 88–69

Voted for 2 Michael Lowry · Ryan O'Meara

Voted against 1 Alan Kelly

The motion · motion passed 88–69

Voted for 2 Michael Lowry · Ryan O'Meara

Voted against 1 Alan Kelly

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-02-18 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 84–67

Voted for 2 Michael Lowry · Ryan O'Meara

Voted against 1 Alan Kelly

Alan Kelly — Labour Party 6 votes · 38 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 38 total

Justice 14 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 198 of 6 February 2025, to provide additional clarity as to when precisely his Department was alerted to the potential dangers arising in respect of defective leather pistol holsters previously on issue to members of An Garda Síochána; and if his Department was made aware more than two years earlier than the November 2022 dateline contained in his response. [6042/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if he can state with complete and absolute certainty that all leather pistol holsters (details supplied) have been surrendered by those previously issued with them in An Garda Síochána and that no such defective holsters are retained by individual Garda members currently. [6043/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if he or his Department were aware of the servicing and repair of privately owned firearms being undertaken by Garda armourer personnel attached to the Garda firearms stores section in 2018, where such firearms were belonging to a hunt and pony club based in the Kildare area and where the cost of such servicing and repair was defrayed by public funds. [6044/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if his Department approved the purchase and importation of firearm component parts into the State as contained in Importation licence J 11 2018. [6045/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if he was informed by the Garda Commissioner, in line with the commissioners statutory obligations under section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 that the firearm component parts contained in Importation licence J 11 2018 related to the service and repair of privately owned firearms belonging to a hunt and pony club rather than official Garda firearms. [6046/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the total number of DNA non-submissions, broken down by sample type, that is, intelligence, evidential or intimate samples, that occurred subsequent to the commencement of the 2019 DNA Inquiry that is, from 3 April 2019 to date; and the full extent of the impact of each such non-submission in regard to the investigation of crime and the infringement of the data protection and human rights of the donor and of the victim. [6048/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the ages of the boats currently being used by Garda water unit; and the average lifespan of those boats in use, in tabular form. [6267/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the transport budget allocation to An Garda Síochána in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6269/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year costs if the number of horses within Garda mounted unit increased to 31. [6270/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of inspections carried out by Gardaí within the Tipperary division on pubs, clubs, and so on, to ensure full compliance with intoxicating liquor laws in 2024; and the number of those premises found to be in breach of intoxicating liquor laws in 2024, in tabular form. [6271/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the Garda divisions that currently have a Garda community relations van, in tabular form. [6272/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the amount An Garda Síochána spent on hiring external quantity surveyors to carry out work on its behalf in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6273/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if his office was made aware of hundreds of non-official, non-Garda firearms being discarded by An Garda Síochána’s firearms stores section in a poorly secured steel container within the confines of Garda Headquarters prior to the Garda firearms stores section being transferred under the management of the Garda National Technical Bureau in September 2019. [6350/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if his Department is aware of and if it has concerns regarding covert listening devices being present in public places nationwide and the legality of same. [6917/25]
Health 7 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health whether the new 96 bed block being built in University Hospital Limerick will be opened as promised in July 2025. [6052/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant vascular surgeons based in Cork University Hospital in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6279/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of dual diagnosis teams across CHO3; the number of staff in those teams. [6280/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown of the chiropody services available in the public health service, including to those with a medical card. [6281/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of test purchase inspections on the sale of tobacco and vaping products carried out, in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6282/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost to recruit one WTE staff grade optician and one senior grade optician to work within the public health service. [6283/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health to provide funding to Nenagh’s Men’s Shed to source a location and building for their work. [6355/25]
Environment 3 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of WTE legal advisors employed by his Department in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6275/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of grants issued by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to homeowners for attic insulation in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6276/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of grants issued by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to homeowners for external wall insulation, in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6278/25]
Transport 2 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport when Iarnród Éireann expects full resumption of catering services onboard Intercity rail journeys. [6274/25]
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding given to all local authorities for regional and local roads in 2024 and 2025; and the percentage increase or decrease as a result, in tabular form. [6731/25]
Tourism 2 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether he will be providing funding for the development of the GAA’s Casement Park in Belfast; and if so, the amount and when. [6053/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he has spoken formally with either the GAA Director General and or the GAA President since his appointment as Minister. [6284/25]
Housing 2 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to raise the income threshold for social housing qualification in Tipperary from its current base of €30,000 per annum for a single person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5673/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to widen the base for HAP discretionary increase from its current income levels considering the high rents charged by landlords in Tipperary and other counties and the current cost-of-living. [5674/25]
Social 2 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost if the telephone support allowance increased to €4 per week. [6290/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE medical assessors within his Department in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6291/25]
Defence 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of vacant engineer room artificer technicians currently in the Naval Service; and when each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [6289/25]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the amount collected in admission fees in each heritage site under the remit of the OPW in 2024, in tabular form. [6288/25]
Education 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education when the next meeting of EU education Ministers is scheduled to take place. [6285/25]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans for an Agriculture Attaché to be posted at the Irish embassy in Canberra. [6287/25]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of FETAC therapy assistant grade programmes offered in 2024; the number of FETAC therapy assistant grade programmes filled by students in 2024; and the number of FETAC assistant grade graduates in 2024, in tabular form. [6292/25]
Rural 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocation in 2025 for the senior alert scheme. [6286/25]

Michael Lowry — Independent 6 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Ryan O'Meara — Fianna Fáil 6 votes · 17 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 17 total

Housing 6 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the wake of storm Éowyn, if his Department will take measures to further support local authorities in the dissemination of information to the public relating to local, regional and national supports and services available to the public during periods of poor weather and electricity blackouts, particularly given the increasing regularity and severity of these storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6161/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the wake of storm Éowyn, if his Department will take measures to liaise with local authority local co-ordination groups, crisis management teams, severe weather activation teams, and any other relevant teams and personnel to assess and review their response and capabilities at local level, with the view of identifying and strengthening the supports they may require at national level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6163/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the National Emergency Co-ordination Group will reconvene all relevant bodies to assess and review response efforts to storm Éowyn once all emergency efforts are stood down; and if there will be an opportunity for organisations and bodies to engage with the group to further inform future storm responses. [6164/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the wake of storm Éowyn and following on from his Departments work as part of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, if consideration will be given to local co-ordination groups being established in all affected counties in the wake of a storm, as opposed to just those worst affected (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6165/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage following serious weather events in recent weeks, if his Department plans to work with local authorities to expand their snow and ice management resources during cold spells, given the impact they can have on travel, access to services, and commercial businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6166/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to engage with the business sector, particularly SMEs, following requests to temporarily reduce commercial rates to ease financial burdens during and following serious weather events, like experienced in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6167/25]
Enterprise 3 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans to engage with the business sector, particularly SMEs, following requests to introduce financial grants and tax relief for businesses following serious weather events to offset the revenue losses and additional costs faced in the wake of these weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6168/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in Tipperary that applied for the power up grant; the number of the applications that were successful; the total value of the grants approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6716/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he plans to take to support the SME sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6717/25]
Tourism 2 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in the wake of storm Éowyn, if his Department will take measures to further support local and community radio who played a vital road in the dissemination of information to the public during periods of poor weather and electricity blackouts recently, particularly given the increasing regularity and severity of these storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6162/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when he plans to open applications for the next round of the Community Sports Facilities Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6901/25]
Justice 2 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice if, in the case of a person who has dual British and Swiss citizenship and has applied as sponsor for a family member of a UK national preclearance but is awaiting a decision, it is possible to cancel the application and reapply through the Swiss-national route for their family to join them in Ireland instead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6061/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice the criteria that a person who arrived in Ireland as a child under beneficiaries of temporary protection must meet for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6823/25]
Environment 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will take measures to improve public awareness of supports and services available during periods of poor weather and resulting electricity blackouts, particularly given the increasing regularity and severity of these storms in the wake of storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6160/25]
Education 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education for an update on her Department’s work to develop a programme to build and modernise PE and school sports facilities; if there is any information yet available for schools looking to upgrade their facilities and are interested in this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6134/25]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the persons who have been appointed to the Forest Windblow Taskforce; if membership of the taskforce is representative of all stakeholders of the industry; the breakdown of membership, including name and the sector of the industry being represented, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5708/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Transport to seek an update from Iarnród Éireann on its efforts to automate crossings across the rail network, particularly along the line servicing Nenagh town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6472/25]