Cork North-Central — week of Mon, 13 Oct

What your Cork North-Central TDs did this week

Mon, 13 Oct – 19 Oct 2025 · 5 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 139 questions · 1 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil

2025-10-15 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 90–56

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Ken O'Flynn · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Eoghan Kenny

Confidence in the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

2025-10-15 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 94–65

Voted for 3 Colm Burke · Ken O'Flynn · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Reform of the Defective Concrete Redress Scheme

2025-10-15 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 78–63

Voted for 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 3 Eoghan Kenny · Ken O'Flynn · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Colm Burke

The motion · motion passed 79–64

Voted for 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 3 Eoghan Kenny · Ken O'Flynn · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Colm Burke

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-10-14 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 74–58

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

Colm Burke — Fine Gael 3 votes · 19 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 19 total

Health 4 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update in relation to the implementation of the National TB Strategy at the National TB Centre in St. James’s Hospital, in view of the fact that TB incidences have increased by 30% in 2024, with a concerning rise in multidrug resistant (MDR) TB cases, posing a serious public health risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54902/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the progress to date regarding the implementation of the actions outlined in the publication in 2024 by Irish respiratory and public health clinicians ‘A Collaborative Tuberculosis Strategy for Ireland: 2024-2030’; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54903/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the provision of funding for the national TB centre and clinical team at St. James’s Hospital, in view of the fact that to date no funding has been allocated for the delivery of this essential service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54904/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update regarding the provision of resources for the Irish mycobacterial reference laboratory at St. James’s Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54905/25]
Agriculture 3 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement his Department has had with relevant stakeholders in relation to generational renewal policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54722/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date in relation to examining a new farm income volatility taxation measure to safeguard farmers from markets rising and falling, as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54721/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of participants in ACRES and ACRES-CP who are still awaiting payments for 2024; when these payments will issue, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54882/25]
Rural 3 questions
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the timeframe for when the next round of funding for category 2 applications of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55944/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the level of funding available for community groups for improvements to community centres in Budget 2026; if funding will be made available for new builds in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55459/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding that has been made available for rural community groups in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55460/25]
Climate 2 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if consideration will be given to amending the current eligibility criteria for solar PV grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54910/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department will review the current eligibility criteria for the solar PV grant scheme, in particular the stipulation that the applicant must be the owner of the home built and occupied before 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54911/25]
Finance 2 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance if consideration would be given to reviewing and removing the deemed disposal rule for investors as this can be punitive on investors and investment; whether consideration has been given to removing it to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55088/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance to consider removing taxation on redundancy payments, given that it can be a particularly difficult time for people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56405/25]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made to date in increasing the number of places for Irish students in dentistry colleges in Cork and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55462/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who were awarded SUSI grants in the current academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55461/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport when the new Kerry Pike, Cork city bus route, as proposed in the BusConnects plan will be operational; the details of the service; if it will be given priority given it is a rapidly expanding area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54766/25]
Children 1 question
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures that will be taken to progressively reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child through the national childcare scheme; if options will be explored to cap costs for larger families, as per the Programme for Government; the timeline for this reduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55982/25]
Education 1 question
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if special needs assistants will be urgently provided to a special school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56059/25]

Eoghan Kenny — Labour Party 4 votes · 26 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 26 total

Transport 9 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport for an update as of October 2025 on a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54777/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport for an update as of October 2025 on a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54778/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport when the tender process will be completed for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54779/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport when the tender process will be completed for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54780/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if his Department, along with Irish Rail, would carry out a feasibility study to assess whether there is a need for trains every half hour from Cork to Heuston in extremely busy times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55554/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the amount Irish Rail has spent on the use of buses from Mallow to Cork Kent Station since the beginning of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55555/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if a company (details supplied) has all of the parking contracts in the Irish Rail car parks across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55556/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the cost of the contract for monitoring of Irish Rail car parks, broken down for each car park; who has each contract; the tendering process for all car park monitoring contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55557/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Cork-Limerick N/20 motorway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55558/25]
Health 6 questions
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have been treated in the theatre of Mallow General Hospital from January 2024 to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55534/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have been refused treatment at Mallow General Hospital from January 2024 to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55535/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of patients treated at Mallow General Hospital medical assessment unit from January 2024 to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55536/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the warfarin clinic (the 4th practice) is currently open for patients in Mallow, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55537/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the warfarin clinic in Mallow, County Cork has closed at any period during 2025; and if so, the period of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55538/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff that have been included in HSE funded level 8 nursing degrees from September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55607/25]
Further and Higher Education 6 questions
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he expects specific capital funding to be allocated and announced to establish a new constituent campus in Wexford town for the Southeast Technological University; when the masterplan for the site will be published; when he expects SETU to have access to the new site and construction work on the new campus to begin; if he will outline the discussions he has had to date with the board of SETU and the HEA on the faculties to be sited in Wexford and when an announcement will be made on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56050/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to provide further and higher education counselling through his Department for young adults seeking to progress into further education, outside of the current structures provided through third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56055/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagements he has had with a union (details supplied) representing apprentices since becoming Minister in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56052/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions that have been taken by him since 2024 to protect apprenticeships in Ireland due to the over-reliance on employer stability leaving the system vulnerable to fluctuations in the labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56054/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with the Residential Tenancies Board with regard to the student housing crisis since becoming Minister in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56053/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagements he has had with an organisation (details supplied) since August 2025 with regard to Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56051/25]
Education 4 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications received for the academic year for transport for children with additional needs; and the number that have been processed, by county, in tabular form. [54765/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the €8 million allocation for youth work in Budget 2026; the way in which this investment allows for sustainability and expansion of existing youth services for young people and service providers; the way in which it will also support essential upgrades to youth facilities equipment, and digital infrastructure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55248/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the way in which the funding under Project Ireland 2040 where €7.55 billion will be invested in the education and youth sector over the period 2026-2030 will be broken down; the amount that will be allocated for youth services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55249/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide information on the uplift that youth organisations both universal and targeted will be expected to receive as a result of Budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55250/25]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the amount that has been spent by his Department to conduct tendering processes for public infrastructure projects in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56060/25]

Ken O'Flynn — Independent Ireland 4 votes · 77 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 77 total

Justice 24 questions
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any directive has been issued to State agencies, local authorities or public bodies regarding the use of Chinese-manufactured surveillance equipment (details supplied) within State premises or public infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55936/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to confirm whether the National Cyber Security Centre has issued any guidance to Departments or local authorities concerning cybersecurity and data-security risks arising from Chinese suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55937/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has commissioned or received any risk assessment concerning Chinese intelligence or influence operations within the State, particularly regarding the immigrant investor programme, foreign-linked lobbying or contact with public officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55932/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline what inter-agency coordination currently exists between his Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the National Cyber Security Centre in respect of the threat of foreign state influence and espionage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55933/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the measures in place to ensure that individuals associated with foreign intelligence or influence entities are not granted residency, citizenship or investor visas in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55934/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has reviewed past decisions made under the immigrant investor programme to determine whether any approvals involved individuals now known to have links to Chinese intelligence or influence bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55935/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to his Department’s recent information campaign offering enhanced voluntary return payments to persons in the international protection process, the total number of persons to whom the offer applies; the projected gross and net Exchequer cost, by month and by payment band; the safeguards in place to prevent duplicate or ineligible claims; the key performance indicators being used to evaluate uptake and outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55975/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific oversight role he personally exercises in relation to Ireland’s engagement with the EU Entry/Exit System (EES); if he has appointed a senior official or taskforce within his Department to coordinate national readiness; and when he last received a departmental progress briefing on the matter. [56324/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the Government has formally considered or approved a decision to opt in to the EU Entry/Exit System; the date of any such Cabinet memorandum or discussion; and when a final decision will be brought before Government for ratification. [56325/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline how his Department intends to inform the public and civil society organisations about the operation and privacy implications of the EU Entry/Exit System; to specify whether public information campaigns will be conducted; and to confirm the languages and accessibility formats to be used. [56348/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeframe for the phased introduction of the European Union entry/exit system across member States; if Ireland will participate in the scheme from the EU’s stated full operational date of 10 April 2026; and the derogations, exemptions, or transition arrangements applicable to the State. [56350/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to set out Ireland’s legal status under Protocol 21 of the Treaties in relation to the entry/exit system; to confirm whether the Government has formally exercised an opt-in or opt-out to the underlying regulation; and to provide the date and outcome of any related correspondence with the European Commission or Council. [56351/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration pursuant to the commitment in the Programme for Government, the date he plans to bring the general scheme of legislation before the Houses of the Oireachtas to give effect to Ireland being fully included in the remit of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. [56381/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration pursuant to the commitment in the Programme for Government and answers he gave in Dail Éireann the formal confirmation that has been given to the European Commission that Ireland intends to end its opt out position with respect to membership of the EPPO; when was such an intention communicated to the EU in line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government. [56382/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if her Department collects, maintains, or has access to data relating to the number and percentage of persons of non-Irish ethnic background residing in Ballyhaunis, Ballyvaughan, Clones, Lisdoonvarna, Longford, Gort, Granard, and Newport for the census years 2016, 2022, and 2024 or the most recent available data; if her Department has requested or received such data from other State bodies including the Central Statistics Office, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Social Protection, or the Department of Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56413/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the legal basis on which Ireland currently engages with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, including any instruments of cooperation, memoranda of understanding, or statutory provisions, including dates and documentary references; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56422/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the name, grade and contact point in his Department responsible for Irish liaison with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office; to state whether that post is permanent, seconded, or temporary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56423/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of European Public Prosecutor’s Office requests received by Irish authorities; the number of requests complied with in full; the number complied with in part, and the number refused; to include a short description of the reason for any refusal, by year since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56424/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to identify any cross-border investigations since 2020 which involved Irish persons, companies or assets and where the European Public Prosecutor’s Office was involved; the current status of each case; the lead authority in Ireland; whether mutual legal assistance or preservation orders were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56425/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the resources, staff numbers, budget lines and training, allocated by his Department and by the State to support cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in 2024 and to date in 2025; to identify any additional resources required to meet foreseeable demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56426/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether there are any outstanding legal, operational or data-sharing barriers that impede timely cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office; if so, to list each barrier and the specific legislative, policy or administrative change proposed to remove it, with an estimated timetable for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56427/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his Department’s formal plans to change, expand or otherwise evolve Ireland’s engagement with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office over the next 12 months, including any proposed legislative measures, memoranda of understanding, staff appointments or bilateral arrangements with other Member States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56428/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will publish, in full, the legal instruments, memoranda and standard operating procedures relied upon for European Public Prosecutor’s Office cooperation; and if not, the reasons why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56429/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the oversight arrangements in place in Ireland to ensure European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) requests are handled in accordance with EU law and Irish law; to provide copies of any internal audit or review carried out in the past three years on EPPO cooperation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56430/25]
Climate 16 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the findings of assessments undertaken by his Department or by ESB Networks on the performance and resilience of the national electricity distribution system following storm Amy; the number of domestic and commercial customers who experienced loss of supply exceeding 24 hours; the measures being taken to ensure full restoration in the affected regions; and the steps his Department is implementing to strengthen network resilience against future extreme weather events. [54750/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department or the Revenue Commissioners have reviewed the remuneration and benefit structure of Re-Turn Ireland CLG’s executives and directors to determine compliance with fair remuneration and tax transparency standards. [56375/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has carried out or plans to carry out a value-for-money assessment of the Deposit Return Scheme in its current corporate form, taking into account costs to consumers and the level of retained income by the operating company. [56376/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of meetings or formal communications between officials of his Department and representatives of Re-Turn Ireland CLG since its establishment; and whether any concerns were raised regarding its financial management or accounting practices. [56378/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will liaise with the Minister for Finance to ensure that a full financial audit of Re-Turn Ireland CLG is carried out annually by an independent external auditor and laid before the Oireachtas. [56379/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will review existing legislation governing levy-funded private entities to ensure that companies such as Re-Turn Ireland CLG are brought within a transparent audit and reporting framework comparable to that applied to semi-state or statutory bodies. [56380/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total remuneration, including salaries, bonuses, pension contributions, and other non-cash benefits paid to executives and board members of a company (details supplied) in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56361/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total value of cash reserves currently held by a company (details supplied); the purpose for which these reserves are maintained; and whether his Department has imposed or intends to impose any limits or conditions on the accumulation of such reserves. [56362/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the level of financial and operational oversight exercised by his Department over a company (details supplied), including audit arrangements, reporting obligations, and the frequency of departmental reviews or meetings with company representatives. [56363/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether he will publish in full the audited accounts of a company (details supplied), including details of executive pay, consultancy and procurement contracts, administrative expenditure, and unclaimed deposits, in the public interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56364/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the rationale for permitting a private company limited by guarantee to operate the national deposit return scheme rather than establishing a statutory or semi-state body; and the mechanisms that exist to ensure accountability to the Oireachtas. [56365/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether any directors, executives, or shareholders of a company (details supplied) have had commercial or contractual relationships with beverage, packaging, or waste-management companies regulated under the scheme; and if his Department has undertaken due diligence in this regard. [56366/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total revenue generated from unclaimed deposits under the return scheme to date; the means by which these funds have been utilised or invested; and whether he intends to require that unredeemed deposits be returned to the Exchequer or reinvested directly in environmental infrastructure. [56367/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will commission an independent comparative review of a company’s (details supplied) governance model, remuneration structure, and consumer costs relative to equivalent deposit return schemes in other EU member states. [56368/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the statutory instruments and regulatory framework governing a company (details supplied) contain sufficient provisions for transparency and accountability; and if he intends to review or amend these to strengthen public oversight. [56369/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of formal complaints, representations, or requests for information received by his Department regarding the financial or operational conduct of a company (details supplied) since its establishment; and the actions taken by his Department in response. [56370/25]
Finance 7 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance the revised forecast for corporate tax receipts in 2026; the percentage share of total corporate tax revenue projected to arise from the ten largest paying corporations; his Department’s assessment of volatility or concentration risk within this revenue stream; and the fiscal buffers or corrective mechanisms identified to mitigate the impact of a potential downturn in multinational tax contributions. [54751/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance to provide a breakdown of all costs incurred by the Revenue Commissioners in relation to the seized vessel MV Matthew since 2023, including storage, security, maintenance and legal costs; the actions taken and planned to dispose of the asset and recover costs from liable parties; and the timeline for concluding these expenditures, given reports that the total has approached €11 million. [56306/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance if Re-Turn Ireland CLG has been assessed by the Revenue Commissioners for corporation tax, VAT, or any other applicable tax liabilities arising from its operations, retained surpluses, or investment income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56371/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance the amount of retained earnings or cash reserves held by Re-Turn Ireland CLG that have been declared to the Revenue Commissioners, and whether these reserves are subject to tax, interest, or investment reporting requirements under Irish company law. [56372/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance whether any tax reliefs, exemptions, or preferential treatments have been granted to Re-Turn Ireland CLG under existing legislation, including environmental or charitable provisions; and if he will provide a list of such reliefs or exemptions. [56373/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance if he will direct the Revenue Commissioners or the Comptroller and Auditor General to conduct an independent examination of Re-Turn Ireland CLG’s accounts in light of its public-interest function and substantial consumer-funded surpluses. [56374/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance whether his Department or the Comptroller and Auditor General has any oversight or audit authority over consumer levies collected and managed by private companies such as Re-Turn Ireland CLG; and if not, whether the Minister will consider introducing such oversight. [56377/25]
Foreign 6 questions
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has conducted any internal review, or received any intelligence briefings, concerning Chinese state-linked influence or lobbying activities involving Irish political representatives or institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55928/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department maintains a register or record of engagements between Irish public representatives and organisations affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department; and if he will outline the Department’s policy on monitoring such contacts. [55929/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has raised with Chinese diplomatic authorities any concerns regarding the use of the former immigrant investor programme, or other investment mechanisms, as possible vehicles for political influence or intelligence gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55930/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Irish diplomatic missions in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong have been instructed to report on United Front or other influence activities directed toward Ireland; and if so, when such reporting began. [55931/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether any expenditure incurred by the Department of Foreign Affairs in repatriating or assisting Irish citizens detained by Israeli authorities following recent flotilla activities off Gaza has been recorded as a recoverable advance under the assistance abroad loan scheme or any similar mechanism; if any repayments have been received or written off; the procedures in place within the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that such advances are repaid in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56312/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a detailed account of any expenditure incurred by his Department in providing consular, logistical, or financial assistance to Irish citizens who were detained or arrested by Israeli authorities following their participation in recent Flotilla activities bound for Gaza; if he will specify whether his Department has borne any costs in relation to flights, accommodation, legal representation, or repatriation; if such costs were advanced under the assistance abroad loan scheme or any similar mechanism; the total amount advanced or expended to date; whether repayment has been sought or received from the individuals concerned; and his views on the policy of his Department regarding the recovery of public funds in cases where Irish citizens voluntarily engage in activities abroad that result in detention or repatriation at the State’s expense. [56311/25]
Social 6 questions
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the procurement and certification standards applied to meat and poultry products supplied under the free school meals and school lunch schemes; if halal-certified meat is being used as a default standard by State-contracted caterers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55681/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether her Department requires lunch providers participating in the free school meals programme to inform schools and parents if meat products are halal-certified; and if she will consider introducing mandatory labelling or disclosure rules to ensure transparency and parental awareness. [55682/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has undertaken any assessment of whether the use of halal-certified meat in school meals is compatible with the principles of religious neutrality in State-funded education [55683/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a list of approved school meal contractors currently supplying halal-certified meat or poultry products under Department-funded school lunch schemes. [55684/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether schools or parents are given any option to request non-halal meat or vegetarian alternatives within the free school meals programme; and if not, the reasons. [55685/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the ESRI’s assessment that measures in Budget 2026 will reduce average household disposable income by about 2% next year, with proportionally higher losses for low-income households due to the withdrawal of once-off supports; the targeted measures he will take before January 2026 to mitigate projected increases in income poverty; and to publish his Department’s distributional analysis underpinning these decisions. [56307/25]
Agriculture 5 questions
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of slaughterhouses currently licensed to perform halal slaughter; the proportion of national beef, lamb, and poultry output certified as halal; and the extent to which these products are distributed for domestic consumption rather than export. [55686/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all halal slaughter in Ireland requires pre-stunning of animals; what animal welfare standards and veterinary supervision apply; and whether there are any exemptions to pre-stunning under current EU or national regulations. [55687/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has any oversight or auditing role in verifying the halal certification of food products used in public sector catering, including school meals; and if so, to detail the agencies responsible and the frequency of inspection. [55688/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the scope, timeline, pilot areas and budget allocation for the newly announced bovine tuberculosis cooperation project with the Northern Ireland authorities under the Shared Island initiative; the criteria for selecting participating herds; and whether Cork herds will be included in the initial pilot phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55977/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to his commitment to strengthen pollution laws and introduce a coordinated incident response system after the mass fish mortality on the River Blackwater in August 2025, the legislative amendments he will bring forward, with timelines; the additional enforcement resources for the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, Inland Fisheries Ireland and local authorities; and the incident response protocol to be agreed with the EPA. [56305/25]
Health 3 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the ongoing shortage of a medication (details supplied), which has now been out of stock for approximately eight months; if she is aware of the impact this shortage is having on long-term patients who have relied on this medication for decades; and if she will confirm when supply is expected to resume. [55143/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if contingency arrangements are in place to support patients who have been prescribed alternative medications such as (details supplied), both of which are now also reported to be in short supply, leaving patients without appropriate inhalation therapy; and if she will ensure that the HSE and HPRA work with community pharmacists and wholesalers to secure temporary alternative treatments or imported supplies for patients with chronic respiratory conditions, such as those dependent on nebulised therapy three times daily. [55144/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the specific winter contingency measures being put in place for hospitals in Cork City and County ahead of the 2025–2026 winter season, including additional acute and step-down bed capacity, emergency department surge funding, and staffing allocations; the way in which these measures align with the HSE’s winter plan 2025; and the projected winter-pressure cost for Cork facilities relative to last year’s expenditure. [56310/25]
Culture 3 questions
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of prosecutions initiated, convictions secured and cases struck out for non-payment of the television licence for each year from 2015 to 2025; and if there has been any changes in policy that has affected enforcement activity.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56391/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the contractual arrangements in place between his Department and An Post for the collection and enforcement of the television licence fee; the performance indicators and reporting obligations included in that contract; the details of any performance reviews or audits conducted since 2020; and if An Post has met or failed to meet its agreed enforcement targets in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56392/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the estimated annual level of television licence revenue foregone as a result of non-payment and reduced enforcement activity in each of the years 2019 to 2025; if his Department has undertaken or commissioned any review into the adequacy of the current enforcement model; his plans for reform, including administrative penalties or alternative collection methods, being considered by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56393/25]
Public Expenditure 2 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide a breakdown of total voted expenditure distinguishing once-off measures from recurring commitments in each of the past three fiscal years; the methodology used by his Department in classifying temporary supports; and the measures being taken to restore fiscal discipline and transparency in future multi-annual expenditure frameworks. [54752/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the controls in place across all Departments for monitoring and approving exceptional or unplanned operational expenditures, such as the approximately €11 million incurred by the Revenue Commissioners in maintaining the seized vessel MV Matthew; the oversight role of his Department in these cases; and to confirm whether a cross-departmental review will be undertaken to prevent similar open-ended costs to the Exchequer. [56309/25]
Taoiseach 2 questions
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach if his Department, or the National Security Analysis Centre has received any briefings from the Defence Forces, the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service or allied intelligence partners regarding Chinese political influence operations in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55946/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach if he will consider establishing a cross-departmental taskforce on foreign interference and influence operations to coordinate national policy in light of growing concerns about Chinese and Russian activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55947/25]
Housing 2 questions
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current estimate for housing completions in 2025 and 2026; the variance between those estimates and the published Housing for All targets; the latest national and regional house-price-to-earnings ratios; and his Department’s assessment of the impact of non-indexation of the standard rate income-tax band on affordability for first-time buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55976/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken any impact assessment, economic analysis, or consultation with stakeholders regarding the proposed prohibition of no-fault evictions for landlords with more than three tenancies, due to come into effect on 1 March 2026; the projected number of private landlords expected to exit the market as a result of this measure; the estimated likely effect on the supply and capital value of private rental housing; if any legal advice has been obtained as to the potential constitutional implications of restricting an owner’s right to sell with vacant possession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56416/25]
Rural 1 question
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will consider bringing forward an amendment to the Charities Act 2009, as amended by the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024, to include explicit provisions requiring all registered charities, including faith-based organisations, to uphold the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination in their governance structures, employment practices and activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56464/25]

Pádraig O'Sullivan — Fianna Fáil 5 votes · 7 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 7 total

Agriculture 2 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will consider designating authorised officer status to the inspectors an organisation (details supplied) given currently the organisation handles far higher equine volumes than any other organisation in Ireland and lack of authorised officer status creates delays in seizures, prevents lawful statutory evidence gathering and hampers Gardaí in urgent cruelty cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54715/25]
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider increasing the allocation for an organisation (details supplied) under the animal welfare grant programme proportionate to the workload and costs the organisation incurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54714/25]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to encourage more uptake in apprenticeships in skills necessary for the green transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55311/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to encourage more uptake in apprenticeships in the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55310/25]
Rural 2 questions
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to providing additional funding for community and voluntary organisations to assist with running costs given currently the grant schemes that exist are for capital works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55308/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to outline his ambitions to support the rural road network under the LIS scheme in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55309/25]
Education 1 question
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) had its emergency works application refused; if the application can be reviewed in view of the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54814/25]

Thomas Gould — Sinn Féin 5 votes · 10 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 10 total

Housing 3 questions
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if eligibility criteria under the tenant-in-situ scheme introduced in 2025 applies to homes for which an application was received and approved but sale was not completed prior to their introduction. [54772/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total SEEP funding requested by Cork City Council under the NWQR in 2025; and the total amount allocated. [56030/25]
- 2025-10-15 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department reviews SEEP funding requests by Cork City Council on a project-by-project basis and allocates individually, or whether an overall allocation is provided. [56031/25]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is possible to ensure apprentices are offered taught phases in facilities close to their home as often as possible. [55307/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the delivery of a university campus on the northside of Cork city. [55306/25]
Rural 2 questions
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding provided under Budget 2026 for the town centres first policy; if this is additional funding; and the number of additional towns this will allow to come under the model. [55305/25]
- 2025-10-16 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if implementation update reports will be published on the success of the Town Centres First model Phase 1. [55304/25]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses seized in Cork city to date in 2025. [54734/25]
Foreign 1 question
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the supports available for those seeking to flee Palestine. [54757/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-10-14 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the reason funding has not been released for the Dunkettle to Cork cycleway. [54630/25]