Cork East — week of Mon, 12 May — Watch Them Work

What your Cork East TDs did this week

Mon, 12 May – 18 May 2025 · 4 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 48 questions · 77 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Childcare

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 83–65

Voted for 2 James O'Connor · Noel McCarthy

Voted against 2 Liam Quaide · Pat Buckley

The motion · motion passed 83–66

Voted for 2 James O'Connor · Noel McCarthy

Voted against 2 Liam Quaide · Pat Buckley

Parental Choice in Education

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 84–65

Voted for 2 James O'Connor · Noel McCarthy

Voted against 2 Liam Quaide · Pat Buckley

The motion · motion passed 87–62

Voted for 2 James O'Connor · Noel McCarthy

Voted against 2 Liam Quaide · Pat Buckley

Housing and Critical Infrastructure

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 82–66

Voted for 2 James O'Connor · Noel McCarthy

Voted against 2 Liam Quaide · Pat Buckley

The motion · motion passed 83–66

Voted for 2 James O'Connor · Noel McCarthy

Voted against 2 Liam Quaide · Pat Buckley

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 2 Liam Quaide · Pat Buckley

Voted against 1 Noel McCarthy

Did not vote 1 James O'Connor

James O'Connor — Fianna Fáil 6 votes · 5 questions · 23 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 5 total

Health 3 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the means by which she will ensure that patients have access to new innovative medicines and treatments as quickly as possible, especially for rare diseases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24095/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the steps that will be taken to address the continued lack of dedicated neurorehabilitation beds in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24096/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if a person will be scheduled for emergency surgery (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24678/25]
Housing 2 questions
- 2025-05-15 Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on home completions in the first quarter of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24647/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to increase the first home scheme targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24648/25]

New lobbying 23 returns

Cork Chamber · 12 returns Justice and Equality · Environment · Public Expenditure and Reform · Transport · Housing · Economic Development and Industry · Community · Energy and Natural Resources
- Cork Development Forum members met with Cork Oireachtas members to discuss garda numbers, antisocial behaviour and safety in Cork
- Cork Development Forum members met with Cork Oireachtas grouping to discuss the importance of flood defence works in Cork city and many Cork towns
- Cork Development Forum members met with cross-party grouping of Cork Oireachtas members to discuss importance of the NPF review and upcoming NDP review in setting out Cork's economic development in the coming decades
- Cork Development Forum meeting with local Oireachtas members to discuss regional transport policies, including long term plans for access routes to the west of the city and further connectivity
- Cork Development Forum meeting with Cork Oireachtas members to discuss housing policies and challenges in delivery enough housing
- Discussion over the economic development priorities of Cork Chamber with local TDs
- Cork Development Forum meeting about new programme for government
- Cork Development Forum meeting discussion about importance of housing delivery in Cork
- Programme for Government priorities
- Cork Programme for Government priorities
- Offshore Renewable Energy Priorities in the Programme for Government
- Transport and Connectivity Priorities for Cork in the Programme for Government
Port of Cork Company Trade
- Briefing meeting on the current status and challenges posed to specific trade, customers and cargo without a Border Control Post for agricultural inspection checks at the Port of Cork.
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 · 9 returns Agriculture · EU Affairs
- 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
- Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Payments
- Mercosur
- Bovine TB - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025

Liam Quaide — Social Democrats 7 votes · 13 questions · 16 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 13 total

Health 5 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health how a proposed 50-bedroom mental health facility on the grounds of Saint Stephen's hospital, Glanmire, is compliant with the UNCRPD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24174/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the development of new policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20968/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare workers with Covid-19 currently in receipt of the special leave with pay. [23714/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health her plans for healthcare workers with Covid-19 upon the ending of the special leave with pay but who continue to suffer disabling symptoms that render them unable to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23743/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the current status and recent developments in the public provision of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) services across Ireland, including any expansion of DBT teams, training initiatives, data on the availability of individual and group therapy, and support for families and carers over the past year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24832/25]
Social 2 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons no increases for child or adult dependants are paid with jobseeker's pay-related benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23175/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the launch of an information campaign to promote the expanded scope of the wage subsidy scheme; his plans to promote a greater level of awareness and uptake among employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23655/25]
Finance 2 questions
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Finance the estimated number of real estate investment trusts in Ireland; the rate of effective corporation tax paid by such entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24518/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Finance the number of applicants to the help-to-buy scheme who were required to pay the payment back to the Revenue Commissioners as they did not live in the property for at least five years after buying or building it, in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. [24521/25]
Housing 2 questions
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the programme to be put in place by his Department to arrange for Uisce Éireann to take in charge wastewater treatment plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24542/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure the protection of hedgerow habitats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23721/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice the number of e-scooters, e-bikes, motorbikes, mopeds and quad bikes, respectively, confiscated by An Garda Síochána in 2024, by Garda division, in tabular form. [24499/25]
Taoiseach 1 question
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Taoiseach the number of certificates of withholding from public inspection of departmental records approved by his Department under the National Archives Act 1986 in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 respectively, by Department or State agency, in tabular form. [24515/25]

New lobbying 16 returns

Cork Chamber · 5 returns Justice and Equality · Environment · Public Expenditure and Reform · Transport · Housing
- Cork Development Forum members met with Cork Oireachtas members to discuss garda numbers, antisocial behaviour and safety in Cork
- Cork Development Forum members met with Cork Oireachtas grouping to discuss the importance of flood defence works in Cork city and many Cork towns
- Cork Development Forum members met with cross-party grouping of Cork Oireachtas members to discuss importance of the NPF review and upcoming NDP review in setting out Cork's economic development in the coming decades
- Cork Development Forum meeting with local Oireachtas members to discuss regional transport policies, including long term plans for access routes to the west of the city and further connectivity
- Cork Development Forum meeting with Cork Oireachtas members to discuss housing policies and challenges in delivery enough housing
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 · 10 returns Agriculture · EU Affairs · Local Government
- 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
- Letter of thanks from Cork County Council
- Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Payments
- Mercosur
- Bovine TB - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025

Noel McCarthy — Fine Gael 7 votes · 17 questions · 24 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 17 total

Health 6 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of a building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24103/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health to outline the work of her Department to support those living with functional neurological disorder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24125/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if she has considered the potential impact of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2024 on specialty vape shops from a ban on vape flavours; if she has quantified the potential burden that the point-of-sale display ban for vapes will have on small retailers, including in the forecourt and convenience sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24296/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health to outline if her Department has fully examined the regulatory impact analysis of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2024, which warns of the potential for smokers to relapse if vape flavours are banned; if her Department has conducted any research into the estimated number of smokers that may relapse as a result of such measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24299/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if her Department has examined the case of Sweden, who has reduced its smoking and cancer rates through the use of tobacco like vapes and nicotine pouches as a safer and more readily available alternative to cigarettes, in the context of the measures proposed in the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24300/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if the appointment of a paediatric rheumatologist for the Munster region is being considered, given the strong demand for such a service by those suffering from conditions such as juvenile arthritis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24473/25]
Education 3 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the details of school retrofit programmes currently in place; the criteria for inclusion in these programmes; the number of schools that have benefited from such programmes previously; the number of schools that have been approved for a retrofit this year; the expected timeframe for completion of such retrofit works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23251/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on an emergency works application for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23253/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the updated ‘Procedures on the use of school property and school sports facilities outside of school hours’ are not being implemented by a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24199/25]
Justice 3 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána currently attached to a station (details supplied); the hours that the station is open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23258/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of An Garda Síochána personnel currently serving in the Fermoy and Midleton districts in County Cork, by rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24850/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 2 April 2025, to report on the retention of the court service at Youghal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24844/25]
Housing 2 questions
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 9 April 2025, to provide an update on the formulation of planning guidelines for solar energy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24869/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to increase the income limits for eligibility for social housing in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24839/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance if a couple looking to purchase a property are eligible for admission to the help-to-buy scheme if those selling have previously availed of the scheme for the original purchase of the same property but are now set to repay the grant as they did not spend the required number of years living there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24226/25]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department is considering the reinstatement of compulsory sheep dipping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24079/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is considering any extensions to the amount of time that citizens of other countries are allowed to drive on their existing foreign driving licence; if it is envisaged that further recognised states will be added to the foreign driving licence exchange list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24817/25]

New lobbying 24 returns

Irish Self Catering Federation Tourism
- Registration for Short-term legislation Bill (STTL)
Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Limited Community
- Irish Rural Link Information Day in Buswells Hotel with presentations on Community response to Storm Eowyn and the impact it had on Rural areas
Cork Chamber · 11 returns Justice and Equality · Environment · Public Expenditure and Reform · Transport · Housing · Health · Economic Development and Industry
- Cork Development Forum members met with Cork Oireachtas members to discuss garda numbers, antisocial behaviour and safety in Cork
- Cork Development Forum members met with Cork Oireachtas grouping to discuss the importance of flood defence works in Cork city and many Cork towns
- Cork Development Forum members met with cross-party grouping of Cork Oireachtas members to discuss importance of the NPF review and upcoming NDP review in setting out Cork's economic development in the coming decades
- Cork Development Forum meeting with local Oireachtas members to discuss regional transport policies, including long term plans for access routes to the west of the city and further connectivity
- Cork Development Forum meeting with Cork Oireachtas members to discuss housing policies and challenges in delivery enough housing
- Cork Chamber meeting with Junior Minister in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to discuss importance of multi-annual funding and certainty in delivering major infrastructural projects
- Cork Chamber meeting with Fine Gael TDs to discuss essential social protection and health policies and how they will positively impact city centre living and urban regeneration
- Cork Chamber meeting with Fine Gael TDs to discuss housing policies, including 15-minute city concept, Cork docklands redevelopment, and urban regeneration
- Cork Chamber meeting with Fine Gael grouping to discuss environmental supports for businesses, including HVO tax relief
- Cork Chamber meeting with Ministers Emer Higgins and Jerry Buttimer and local Fine Gael members to discuss economic supports and industrial development
- Discussion over the economic development priorities of Cork Chamber with local TDs
Local Development Companies Network CLG Community
- Oireachtas Members were invited to an event launching a rebrand of the Local Development Companies Network and highlighting the work of the LDCs
Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Development and Zoning
- Meeting for Cork based TDs & Senators covering housing supply, NDP & Projects & Infrastructure for Cork.
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 · 8 returns Agriculture · EU Affairs · Local Government
- ACRES - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation
- Inclusion of Good Agricultural & Environmental Condition (GAEC-2) in Second Round of CAP Simplification Measures
- Bovine TB
- Letter of thanks from Cork County Council
- Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Payments
- Bovine TB - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025

Pat Buckley — Sinn Féin 7 votes · 13 questions · 14 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 13 total

Defence 4 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an overview on the recent acquisition of Airbus H145M helicopters and the capabilities he expects them to provide to the Defence Forces. [23731/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the extent of Israeli designed or produced military technology included in the recently purchased Airbus H145M helicopters, and if these helicopters have the capability to use the Israeli-made Spike anti-tank guided missile. [23732/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has examined the possibility of using Spike anti-tank guided missiles on the recently purchased Airbus H145M helicopters, and if he has plans to acquire these missiles. [23733/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if it is the policy of the State to purchase military equipment from other militarily neutral states; if this policy has been revised in recent years; and his views on the state's procedures and priorities in acquiring foreign military equipment. [23734/25]
Health 3 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health whether weight loss medication (details supplied) can be covered under the medical card scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23521/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health whether Addison’s disease be covered under the medical card and the drugs repayment scheme. [23557/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health whether Addison’s disease will be covered under the long-term illness scheme. [23730/25]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to confirm when the power up grant will be paid out to all applicants. [24670/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to confirm how many businesses in County Cork applied for the power up grant. [24671/25]
Housing 2 questions
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to issue a full report on the capacity of water and wastewater for all of the towns and villages in a county (details supplied); if the lack of progress in water and wastewater infrastructure projects will be addressed urgently given the current housing crisis; if the possibility will be explored of allowing builders and developers to construct treatment plants as part of a housing development which can be overseen by Uisce Éireann and subsequently taken into their control to allow needed house building and ensure population balance across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24800/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm when a facility (details supplied) will be taken in charge by his Department. [25068/25]
Environment 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications that the retrofitting scheme, part of the SEAI grant for retrofitting be reconsidered, allowing homeowners who are retrofitting their homes to apply for stand-alone SEAI grants for windows and doors. [23783/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Finance if survivors of scoliosis spinal fusion, and other lifelong mobility issues, will be included in the qualifying criteria for the disabled drivers and the disabled passengers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23676/25]

New lobbying 14 returns

Cork Chamber · 5 returns Justice and Equality · Environment · Public Expenditure and Reform · Transport · Housing
- Cork Development Forum members met with Cork Oireachtas members to discuss garda numbers, antisocial behaviour and safety in Cork
- Cork Development Forum members met with Cork Oireachtas grouping to discuss the importance of flood defence works in Cork city and many Cork towns
- Cork Development Forum members met with cross-party grouping of Cork Oireachtas members to discuss importance of the NPF review and upcoming NDP review in setting out Cork's economic development in the coming decades
- Cork Development Forum meeting with local Oireachtas members to discuss regional transport policies, including long term plans for access routes to the west of the city and further connectivity
- Cork Development Forum meeting with Cork Oireachtas members to discuss housing policies and challenges in delivery enough housing
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 · 7 returns EU Affairs · Agriculture
- Mercosur - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation
- Inclusion of Good Agricultural & Environmental Condition (GAEC-2) in Second Round of CAP Simplification Measures
- Bovine TB
- Mercosur
- Bovine TB - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025