Carlow-Kilkenny — week of Mon, 12 May — Watch Them Work

What your Carlow-Kilkenny TDs did this week

Mon, 12 May – 18 May 2025 · 5 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 56 questions · 100 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Childcare

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 83–65

Voted for 3 Catherine Callaghan · Jennifer Murnane O'Connor · Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Voted against 1 Natasha Newsome Drennan

Did not vote 1 John McGuinness

The motion · motion passed 83–66

Voted for 3 Catherine Callaghan · Jennifer Murnane O'Connor · Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Voted against 1 Natasha Newsome Drennan

Did not vote 1 John McGuinness

Parental Choice in Education

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 84–65

Voted for 3 Catherine Callaghan · Jennifer Murnane O'Connor · Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Voted against 1 Natasha Newsome Drennan

Did not vote 1 John McGuinness

The motion · motion passed 87–62

Voted for 3 Catherine Callaghan · Jennifer Murnane O'Connor · Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Voted against 1 Natasha Newsome Drennan

Did not vote 1 John McGuinness

Housing and Critical Infrastructure

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 82–66

Voted for 3 Catherine Callaghan · Jennifer Murnane O'Connor · Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Voted against 1 Natasha Newsome Drennan

Did not vote 1 John McGuinness

The motion · motion passed 83–66

Voted for 3 Catherine Callaghan · Jennifer Murnane O'Connor · Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Voted against 1 Natasha Newsome Drennan

Did not vote 1 John McGuinness

Trade Union Recognition Bill 2021

2025-05-14 · 1 vote · People Before Profit-Solidarity PMB

A bill to provide a legal mechanism for trade union recognition for workers who comprise at least 20 per cent of the employees in an employment (or any category within that empl…

full description

A bill to provide a legal mechanism for trade union recognition for workers who comprise at least 20 per cent of the employees in an employment (or any category within that employment).

Whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) · motion failed 66–82

Voted for 1 Natasha Newsome Drennan

Voted against 3 Catherine Callaghan · Jennifer Murnane O'Connor · Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Did not vote 1 John McGuinness

Catherine Callaghan — Fine Gael 7 votes · 1 question · 8 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 1 total

Foreign 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has engaged with the Israeli authorities regarding the ongoing blockade that has prevented four Irish-funded aid trucks, waiting in Jordan, from entering Gaza; and the steps being taken to ensure the urgent delivery of this and other humanitarian aid. [23582/25]

New lobbying 8 returns

Irish Lung Fibrosis Association Health
- Lobbying for a clinical care programme for patients living with a life limiting disease (in Ireland) 'pulmonary fibrosis' and the unmet needs of those patients.
Irish Self Catering Federation Tourism
- Registration for Short-term legislation Bill (STTL)
Rare Diseases Ireland Health
- Re-launch All Party Group on Rare Diseases. Update on the need for a new National Strategy for Rare Diseases, including background data on rare diseases in Ireland and the challenges that people living with rare diseases face.
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA · 5 returns EU Affairs · Agriculture
- Mercosur - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation
- Bovine TB - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025
- GAEC-2 - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor — Fianna Fáil 7 votes · 0 questions · 3 new lobbying returns

New lobbying 3 returns

Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Limited Health
- National meals on Wheels Information Day to highlight the work of the Network and of Meals on Wheels providers
Multiple Sclerosis Ireland Health
- Reached out to former Health and Disability Committee members to invite to AV room briefing
Rare Diseases Ireland Health
- Re-launch All Party Group on Rare Diseases. Update on the need for a new National Strategy for Rare Diseases, including background data on rare diseases in Ireland and the challenges that people living with rare diseases face.

John McGuinness — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 39 questions · 14 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 39 total

Justice 7 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the information considered by Government when making a decision (details supplied); if the governor of the prison provided a recommendation and supporting documentation in support of the decision made; if due process was followed and if he will outline how it was applied in this case; if all of the information relative to this decision will be made available to the person involved; if all other information relative to the dismissal will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23377/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 5 July 2022 if he will review the information that was “not suitable for release by the Irish Prison Service” relative to an attempted escape from Portlaoise Prison on 18 May 1988 and determine if this information can be released now 37 years after the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23378/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the process by which applications are considered under a Court of Justice of the European Union ruling (details supplied); the average timeframe for a final decision on such applications; the number of applications currently under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23379/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application made by a prisoner serving a sentence in the UK (details supplied) for permission to complete the sentence in Ireland; if he will give a timeframe for the process to be completed. [23446/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 900 of 9 April and 347 of 8 October 2024, If he will give an indicative timeframe for the transfer of a prisoner and expedite the matter, considering the applicants deteriorating health. [23447/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24938/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if he will confirm that three applications for join family visas (details supplied) are registered with INIS; his plans to provide a more efficient process and to give accurate real-time detail on the stage the application is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25010/25]
Health 7 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 335 of 25 April 2024 if she will now expedite the urgent aftercare required by a person who had cataracts removed under the national treatment purchase fund (details supplied). [23372/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an operation triaged as urgent will be arranged immediately under the national treatment purchase fund (details supplied). [23376/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment to attend CAMHS, Kilkenny, will be arranged for a person (details supplied). [23432/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals on the waiting list for primary care occupational therapy services in Carlow and Kilkenny; the steps being taken to reduce the unacceptable waiting time of 28 months; if she will provide funding to allow parents access a private service in Ireland or the EU; if she will examine a specific case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23433/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an HSE employee who was granted a career break in 2023 and sought to return to work in September 2024 will be approved to return immediately; if she will outline the process in such cases and the timeframe involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23437/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [23445/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if she will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by her Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24936/25]
Social 4 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer’s allowance submitted in August 2024 will be approved as a matter of urgency (details supplied). [23371/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if domiciliary care allowance will be approved, as a matter of urgency, for a person (details supplied). [23431/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing can be arranged in respect of an application for carer’s allowance (details supplied). [24331/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24941/25]
Children 4 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a child (details supplied) as a matter of urgency, as the child has no services and his health is deteriorating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23436/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the number of hours currently allocated to a person (details supplied); if the service continues to be provided, the arrangements for same including the hours allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23442/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1239 of 22 January 2025 if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23443/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by her Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24928/25]
Housing 3 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the creation of the proposed housing activation office has been costed, and if so, if he will set out the projected costs for each of the first five years; including the number of individuals to be employed by the office and the list of skills or professional qualifications that will be required by those involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23374/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the status as promised on the intentions of Government to bring forward new guidelines to replace the 2006 guidelines on wind energy; if further changes to the planning process are being considered in respect of the need to ensure that the views and concerns of local communities affected by large scale wind farms and super-sized turbines are heard, analysed and given the appropriate weight in terms of their consideration. [23375/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24937/25]
Education 2 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth if an application for approval for a teaching post in Kilkenny (details supplied) which was refused will be reconsidered as a matter of urgency as the school staff are under immense pressure currently and face the prospect of having in excess of 30 children per classroom causing serious accommodation issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23380/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by her Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24930/25]
Taoiseach 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by the Department in each of the last 10 years and the cost to the state of funding each one. [23373/25]
Foreign 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24934/25]
Environment 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24932/25]
Defence 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24929/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24943/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24933/25]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24939/25]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24931/25]
Tourism 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24942/25]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24927/25]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24935/25]
Rural 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will outline the number of agencies or quangos established by his Department in each of the past ten years and the cost to the State of funding each one. [24940/25]

New lobbying 14 returns

Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Limited Health
- National meals on Wheels Information Day to highlight the work of the Network and of Meals on Wheels providers
Rare Diseases Ireland Health
- Re-launch All Party Group on Rare Diseases. Update on the need for a new National Strategy for Rare Diseases, including background data on rare diseases in Ireland and the challenges that people living with rare diseases face.
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA · 11 returns Agriculture · EU Affairs
- Generational Renewal
- ACRES - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Mercosur - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation
- Bovine TB
- Windblow Task Force
- Good Agricultural & Environmental Condition (GAEC) 2
- Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Payments
- Mercosur
- Bovine TB - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025
Irish Council for Civil Liberties Justice and Equality
- Historic Human Rights Violations

Natasha Newsome Drennan — Sinn Féin 7 votes · 2 questions · 14 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 2 total

Children 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to confirm plans to deliver a partnership (details supplied) with the World Health Organization. [24481/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the introduction of an instalment payment option for those making payments to Revenue for payments such as vehicle registration tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25069/25]

New lobbying 14 returns

Rare Diseases Ireland Health
- Re-launch All Party Group on Rare Diseases. Update on the need for a new National Strategy for Rare Diseases, including background data on rare diseases in Ireland and the challenges that people living with rare diseases face.
Uplift Justice and Equality
- Uplift members sent emails to their Sinn Fèin TDs asking them to ensure that Sinn Féin is a party that is welcoming, inclusive and who listens to the experiences and expertise of transgender people.
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA · 12 returns Agriculture · EU Affairs
- Generational Renewal
- ACRES - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Mercosur - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation
- Inclusion of Good Agricultural & Environmental Condition (GAEC-2) in Second Round of CAP Simplification Measures
- Bovine TB
- Windblow Task Force
- Good Agricultural & Environmental Condition (GAEC) 2
- Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Payments
- Mercosur
- Bovine TB - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025

Peter 'Chap' Cleere — Fianna Fáil 7 votes · 14 questions · 17 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 14 total

Agriculture 6 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans he has to introduce low interest loans for young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24445/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to prioritise improvements in farm safety, health and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24448/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the strategy to support local and artisan food and drink producers in developing Irish food culture and production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24449/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the National TB eradication strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24450/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department intends to introduce measures to curb the spread of foot and mouth into Ireland, given that we are approaching the busy summer travel season, when many people will travel to and from countries impacted by the disease. [24639/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to rollout an awareness campaign on foot and mouth for those travelling to and from central Europe this summer, given the recent outbreak of the disease across the region. [24640/25]
Health 4 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health for an update on the planned new 95 en-suite bed residential care centre in Thomastown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23653/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health if another CT scanner will be provided in a hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23652/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the average length of time it takes for an ambulance call-out to arrive in Kilkenny; the number of call-outs; the average distance travelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24961/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the average length of time it takes for an ambulance call-out to arrive in Carlow; the number of call-outs; the average distance travelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24962/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the formation of a new rural safety strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24453/25]
Rural 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the Clár review due to be completed and additional areas included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24451/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection regarding new legislation being implemented following the Supreme Court decision in the O'Meara case, whether the definition of a cohabiting couple will be changed from that defined in the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, or if the definition can be re-examined to be more inclusive; whether it will allow for backdating of payments in cases such as that outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24668/25]
Housing 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new homes completed in Kilkenny since July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24642/25]

New lobbying 17 returns

Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Limited · 2 returns Community · Health
- Irish Rural Link Information Day in Buswells Hotel with presentations on Community response to Storm Eowyn and the impact it had on Rural areas
- National meals on Wheels Information Day to highlight the work of the Network and of Meals on Wheels providers
Rare Diseases Ireland Health
- Re-launch All Party Group on Rare Diseases. Update on the need for a new National Strategy for Rare Diseases, including background data on rare diseases in Ireland and the challenges that people living with rare diseases face.
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA · 14 returns Agriculture · EU Affairs
- Generational Renewal
- ACRES - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Mercosur - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation
- Inclusion of Good Agricultural & Environmental Condition (GAEC-2) in Second Round of CAP Simplification Measures
- IFA - CAP to 2030 & Beyond
- Bovine TB
- Windblow Task Force
- Good Agricultural & Environmental Condition (GAEC) 2
- Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Payments
- Mercosur
- Bovine TB - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025
- GAEC-2 - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025