Laois — week of Mon, 19 May

What your Laois TDs did this week

Mon, 19 May – 25 May 2025 · 3 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 25 questions · 23 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Information on Repairability of Certain Products Bill 2024

2025-05-21 · 1 vote · Sinn Féin PMB

A bill to provide that information relating to the repairability of certain products be made available and to provide for related matters

The motion · motion failed 64–77

Voted for 1 Brian Stanley

Voted against 2 Sean Fleming · William Aird

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 9(2)) (Amount of Financial Contribution) Order 2025

2025-05-21 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 41–101

Voted for 1 Brian Stanley

Voted against 2 Sean Fleming · William Aird

Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach

2025-05-21 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 10–3

Voted for 1 William Aird

Did not vote 2 Brian Stanley · Sean Fleming

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-05-20 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 90–70

Voted for 2 Sean Fleming · William Aird

Voted against 1 Brian Stanley

Brian Stanley — Independent 3 votes · 13 questions · 11 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 13 total

Agriculture 5 questions
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the advancement of work to prepare the nitrates plan for submission to Brussels by the required date in June 2025; if measures to protect the sustainability of Ireland's agricultural industry will be a priority in it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25499/25]
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ensure that staffing levels in the Naas District Veterinary Office are examined given the urgency of addressing the high incidence of bovine TB in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25498/25]
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will step up efforts, in conjunction with the farming organisations, to agree on and put in place a TB scheme, which will include dealing with ineffective wildlife in all DVO areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25503/25]
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the steps he is taking to improve the processing times for the ACRES scheme; when the approximately 7,500 who are due payments under the first round will receive them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25504/25]
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he and Government will work to ensure that reform of the GAEC 2 scheme is included in the upcoming EU simplification package of agri schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25515/25]
Health 3 questions
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to add Ozempic and Saxenda to the list of medications available under the drugs payment scheme for weight loss programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25199/25]
- 2025-05-22 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to review the decision not to grant access to the HSE approved medication for, those who have spinal muscular atrophy who were over 18 years at the point where it became approved by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26450/25]
- 2025-05-22 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs providing community care, per population ratio, in County Laois, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26567/25]
Education 2 questions
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the feasibility study to allow for over 70s drivers to drive school buses, be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25875/25]
- 2025-05-22 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the viability report on the provision of two modular classrooms for a school (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26385/25]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2025-05-22 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the new area of professions for apprenticeships delivery he plans to bring forward for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25529/25]
- 2025-05-22 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to expand the number of apprentice opportunities available to students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25528/25]
Foreign 1 question
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to clarify the Government's current position on the proposed Mercosur deal; whether he is maintaining the position, as per the commitments given prior to the general election, to oppose the deal that's on the table; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25505/25]

New lobbying 11 returns

Wind Energy Ireland Energy and Natural Resources
- Briefing for Oireachtas members on wind energy
Irish Heart Foundation Health
- To establish an Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group
The Union of Students in Ireland Education and Training
- Lobby day email
College of Psychiatrists of Ireland Health
- Mental Health Bill 2024 and concerns re inability to provide treatment to all who will be involuntarily hospitalised due to current iteration.To provide descriptions using video recordings of people who had benefited from treatment under the current Mental Health Act explaining their illnesses and the necessary treatment provided in a timely manner.
Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland Transport
- March 2025
Ibec Economic Development and Industry
- Technology Ireland "Lunch & Learn" event with Oireachtas members
Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers Housing
- Request to meet to discuss the Seller's Legal Pack Bill, to seek reforms to the conveyancing process, and to discuss the development of a sustainable housing market.
Irish Red Cross Budgetary matters
- Activities relating to a briefing session at Leinster House on 25/02/25, where we held a session for all TDs and Senators to present the results of a survey on the experiences of hosts under the pledged accommodation project
Family Carers Ireland Housing
- Housing issue for local carer Offaly/ Westmeath/ Longford
Horse Racing Ireland Agriculture
- Stallion Trail Invitations
Creative Retail Distribution Limited Taxation
- Email to members of the Oireachtas concerning the E-liquids Products Tax and concerns around the mechanism chosen to implement the tax via self-declaration rather than as a tax-stamp. Hale also referred to research commissioned from Forvis Mazars which raised several important policy considerations around the E-Liquids products tax including the potential for a surge in illicit and grey market sales.

Sean Fleming — Fianna Fáil 3 votes · 5 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 5 total

Education 3 questions
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the situation whereby under circular 0080/2024, a new start up grant of €30,000 was approved to support the repurchasing of the existing accommodation to facilitate the opening of new special classes in schools, whereas a grant immediately prior to this was €15,700; and in view of the fact that many schools have carried out the work as many of the 2024-25 school year have been seriously underfunded for the work on that year, putting an unnecessary burden on the local school community, if the Minister will re-examine this to bring the figure that was approved for 2024-25 more in line with the figure for 2025-26 as an urgent interim measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25432/25]
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update in relation to a project at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25823/25]
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding an application for additional school accommodation for a post primary school, form ASA (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25833/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection to consider introducing a system whereby people on the carer's allowance can sign off on various weeks, like the system with jobseeker's payments whereby people can mark (X and O) on days they were working so that they do not claim, in view of the fact that people sometimes may get work while on carer's allowance, it may extend beyond the 18.5 hours and they want to not be paid the carer's allowance on that particular week; if there is a simple system that can be introduced to facilitate this both from the Department's point of view and the carer's point of view, where this can occur in some situations and thereby reduce the amount of debts that can build up on people on carer's allowance, which will cause a difficulty in being paid to the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25570/25]
Health 1 question
- 2025-05-20 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding the improvement needs to a health centre and the expansion of facilities at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25821/25]

William Aird — Fine Gael 4 votes · 7 questions · 12 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 7 total

Rural 5 questions
- 2025-05-21 Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of all funds, grants or schemes, available to community groups and organisations, which are funded by his Department and agencies under his remit, their eligibility criteria and their monetary value range. [26240/25]
- 2025-05-21 Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of all services, grants, loans and payments available to individuals or households funded by his department and agencies under his remit, their eligibility criteria and their monetary value range. [26241/25]
- 2025-05-21 Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of each individual project approved under measures 1, 2, and 3 of the outdoor recreation infrastructure schemes in County Laois in 2024; the grant approved for each project; the current status of each project; the completion date for each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26242/25]
- 2025-05-21 Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the Town Centre First Policy; to provide a breakdown and the amount awarded and drawn down per town in County Laois; when he expects phase two; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26243/25]
- 2025-05-21 Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of each individual project approved under the town and village renewal scheme in County Laois in 2024, the grant approved for each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26244/25]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2025-05-20 Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the strategies he and his Department are taking to ensure a fully funded, designated CAP budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26071/25]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2025-05-22 Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the third level fee supports that exist for graduate medical students who have attended third level college in Ireland; if none are in place, his future plans for this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25997/25]

New lobbying 12 returns

Gaelic Players Association Sports and Recreation
- Discussion of the financial strain paced on inter-county players through playing their games
Wind Energy Ireland Energy and Natural Resources
- Briefing for Oireachtas members on wind energy
Rockwood Consulting ULC Heritage
- Sought establishment of a stakeholder forum for natury advisory
Irish Heart Foundation · 2 returns Health
- Welcoming and congratulating new TDs on their election to the 34th Dáil.
- To establish an Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group
The Union of Students in Ireland Education and Training
- Lobby day email
College of Psychiatrists of Ireland Health
- Mental Health Bill 2024 and concerns re inability to provide treatment to all who will be involuntarily hospitalised due to current iteration.To provide descriptions using video recordings of people who had benefited from treatment under the current Mental Health Act explaining their illnesses and the necessary treatment provided in a timely manner.
Ibec Economic Development and Industry
- Technology Ireland "Lunch & Learn" event with Oireachtas members
Irish Red Cross Budgetary matters
- Activities relating to a briefing session at Leinster House on 25/02/25, where we held a session for all TDs and Senators to present the results of a survey on the experiences of hosts under the pledged accommodation project
Horse Racing Ireland Agriculture
- Stallion Trail Invitations
Creative Retail Distribution Limited Taxation
- Email to members of the Oireachtas concerning the E-liquids Products Tax and concerns around the mechanism chosen to implement the tax via self-declaration rather than as a tax-stamp. Hale also referred to research commissioned from Forvis Mazars which raised several important policy considerations around the E-Liquids products tax including the potential for a surge in illicit and grey market sales.
Friends of the Earth Energy and Natural Resources
- Advocacy re Programme for Government