Dublin South-West — week of Mon, 15 Dec — Watch Them Work

What your Dublin South-West TDs did this week

Mon, 15 Dec – 21 Dec 2025 · 5 TDs · 3 bills voted on · 53 questions · 3 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Health (Waiting Lists) Bill 2024

2025-12-17 · 1 vote · Sinn Féin PMB

A bill to amend and extend the Health Act 2004 and for that purpose to provide for the conferral of additional functions on the Minister for Health in relation to setting of pri…

full description

A bill to amend and extend the Health Act 2004 and for that purpose to provide for the conferral of additional functions on the Minister for Health in relation to setting of priorities and performance targets by that Minister in relation to maximum waiting times for health and personal social services; to amend the National Treatment Purchase Fund Board (Establishment) Order 2004 to provide for additional reporting, revised corporate governance and accountability arrangements; and to provide for related matters.

The motion · motion failed 66–80

Voted for 3 Ciarán Ahern · Paul Murphy · Seán Crowe

Voted against 2 Colm Brophy · John Lahart

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Restoration to Order Paper (Resumed)

2025-12-17 · 1 vote

The motion · motion failed 71–73

Voted for 3 Ciarán Ahern · Paul Murphy · Seán Crowe

Voted against 1 John Lahart

Abstained 1 Colm Brophy

Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill 2025

2025-12-17 · 1 vote · People Before Profit-Solidarity PMB

A bill to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to ban the hunting of a fox or foxes

full description

A bill to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to ban the hunting of a fox or foxes; and to provide for related matters.

The motion · motion failed 24–124

Voted for 2 Ciarán Ahern · Paul Murphy

Voted against 3 Colm Brophy · John Lahart · Seán Crowe

Ciarán Ahern — Labour Party 3 votes · 22 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 22 total

Climate 8 questions
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total amount of battery storage available on the Irish electrical grid as of the latest figures; the capacity added in 2025 and the projected amount to be added in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72339/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total amount of wind power generation on the Irish grid as of the latest figures; the capacity added in 2025; and the projected amount to be added in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72340/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total amount solar power generation on the Irish grid as of the latest figures; the capacity added in 2025; and the projected amount to be added in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72341/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the projected additional power needs for data centres in 2026; if any recent analysis or report has been prepared for him, or within his Department, on the energy needs of data centres in Ireland in 2025 and projected for the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72342/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the process for the carbon budget proposal for 2031-2035, and the fourth carbon budget provisional proposal for 2036-2040; to clarify timelines for the next steps of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73355/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if the unanimous recommendations made by the Joint Oireachtas Committee in its report on the proposed carbon budgets, with specific reference to the recommendation to conduct a transparent peer review on the proposals, will be adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73356/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the purpose of the proposed state-led FSRU for Cahiracon, Co Clare; the situation in which use of such a reserve will be permitted and the definition of ‘emergency use’ as outlined by the Department press release in March 2025, following the Government’s approval of a state-led emergency gas reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73428/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the expected timelines and legislative process for the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve (Amendment) Bill 2025; which Act is proposed to be amended through this process; when a general scheme of the Bill will be made available; the expected dates and duration of pre-legislative scrutiny on the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73429/25]
Transport 8 questions
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the total cost of repairing the LUAS bridge at George’s Dock; the agency which picked up the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72343/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the number of additional train carriages or train engines delivered for Irish Rail in each year since 2020; the number projected for delivery in 2026 and 2027; to provide a breakdown of the type delivered; the number which have in parallel been decommissioned; the plans in place to expand commuter train capacity in 2026; to provide a breakdown of the planned service improvements in 2026; the service improvements delivered in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72344/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 289 of 12 November 2025, if he will review the safety of LED headlights in modern vehicles considering the UK has done the same; if he has engaged with his UK counterpart on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72482/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he or his Department or the Road Safety Authority has received any correspondence from members of the public or representative bodies on the impact of LED headlights on drivers at night, and the impact on road safety; if he will commit to a public consultation on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72483/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he and his Department or the Road Safety Authority has considered the findings from a survey in the UK commissioned by the RAC (details supplied) that found four in five drivers were concerned about dazzling headlights; if the data from the survey has been sought; if he intends to engage with the RAC on the survey results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72484/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he or his Department or the Road Safety Authority has considered the independent research study published by TRL in October 2025 titled ‘Glare from road vehicle lighting on UK roads’ (details supplied) that was commissioned by the UK government; if he or the RSA will now commission a similar study in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72485/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if the impact of brightness and glass from modern LED headlights is addressed in the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030; if not, if the strategy will be updated in line with the measures the UK intends to take in its forthcoming Road Safety Strategy to protect drivers from glare caused by headlights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72486/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he or his Department or the Road Safety Authority has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) on the impact of glare and LED headlights in modern cars on drivers; and if not, if he or his Department or the RSA plan to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72487/25]
Housing 4 questions
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a review of the National Landscape Strategy for Ireland 2015-2025 is expected; if his Department are working on a successor strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71615/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made on the recommendations of the review of the NPWS 2021 (details supplied); to clarify their respective roles and interactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71616/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reasons the Kish and Bray Banks have not been included in the NPWS northwest Irish Sea special protection areas despite being designated as important bird areas by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71617/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a builder can be compelled to carry out remedial works on the roof of a home at no cost to the homeowner where breaches of NSAI S.R.82:2017 – Slating & Tiling: Code of Practice have been found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73278/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his Departments plans to address the scale of fossil-fuel investment routed through Irish-based financial entities in view of recent EU-level deregulation proposals and the evidence that existing regulatory measures have not prevented such investments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71500/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection if informal non-cohabitant financial assistance that does not constitute income for the recipient is assessed as part of the means test for the State pension (non-contributory); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71809/25]

Colm Brophy — Fine Gael 3 votes · 0 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

New lobbying 2 returns

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ireland Justice and Equality
- In October 2025, JRS Ireland was a joint signatory on a civil society letter raising concerns regarding persons with disabilities living in the IPAS accommodation system.
Polio Survivors Ireland Justice and Equality
- Letter to express urgent concern regarding the challenges faced by persons with disabilities living within the Direct Provision system.

John Lahart — Fianna Fáil 3 votes · 3 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 3 total

Education 1 question
- 2025-12-16 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department’s plans to address the shortage of post-primary school places in the Knocklyon/Rathfarnham area; if capacity will be expanded in existing schools or if a new school is planned; and to provide the expected timeline for these measures. [72563/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-12-16 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration her views on a case (details supplied) regarding citizenship applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72432/25]
Health 1 question
- 2025-12-16 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if she will give consideration to providing greater flexibility within the medical card means test so that experienced professionals in essential services such as mental health and child welfare can take on occasional additional hours without losing their medical card; the way in which this could support workforce capacity in sectors experiencing significant staffing pressures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71410/25]

Paul Murphy — People Before Profit-Solidarity 3 votes · 20 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 20 total

Children 5 questions
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the outcome of the investigation by Tusla into a company (details supplied); the lessons that have been learned; and to detail any changes to practice as a result. [71823/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which a company (details supplied) was awarded a contract with Tusla. [71824/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if the Government continues to use private operators to provide supervised access; if so, the procurement procedures for issuing these contracts; and the oversight processes for those companies who are awarded these contracts. [71825/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the details of the changes that will be made to the Disability Act 2005 in relation to assessment of need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72891/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the details of the way in which she envisages the new assessment of need process working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72890/25]
Climate 5 questions
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the action he will take to reduce energy demand and carbon emissions from data centres in view of our legal obligations to reduce both energy usage and carbon emissions; his views on whether the new CRU policy is compatible with those obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73592/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department was consulted on the impact on carbon emissions reductions targets of delaying public transport projects like Dart+ Southwest and Finglas Luas in order to prioritise road investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72883/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he supports enabling data centres to build their own fossil fuel power plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72887/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when fossil fuels will be phased out in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72884/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will take any new measures to reduce or offset energy costs for households in light of the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72886/25]
Transport 2 questions
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to sign the Statutory Instrument to increase pensions for CIÉ pensioners before Christmas 2025 (details supplied). [71790/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department is taking to promote pedestrian safety and increased visibility to road users during the winter months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72302/25]
Education 2 questions
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 259 of 25 September 2025, for an update on the provision of an ASD unit in a school (details supplied); and the timeframe for this provision. [72236/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the following case (details supplied) and if she will instruct her Department to ensure that the child in question is able to have adequate transport to school. [73385/25]
Justice 2 questions
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 25 September 2025, to clarify the way in which the Chief State Solicitors Office has engaged with the solicitor of an individual, as the individual's solicitors have confirmed they have had no contact with the Chief State Solicitors Office; and if he will provide an update on the progress of an ex-gratia payment to the person in question. [72079/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to progress legislation to ensure that the victim of a crime of sexual violence can have a civil protection order granted against a person who has been convicted of that crime. [72413/25]
Finance 2 questions
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether, in view of higher inflation than his predecessor predicted prior to the budget, he will bring in an emergency supplementary budget before Christmas to reinstate cost-of-living payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69658/25]
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will bring in an emergency supplementary budget before Christmas in order that emergency winter cost-of-living payments can be made to disabled people and carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69657/25]
Foreign 1 question
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an application (details supplied) has been received; and if she will instruct her Department to assist the family in question. [72301/25]
Defence 1 question
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the average wait time for security clearance to be granted to reservists in the Defence Forces. [71474/25]

Seán Crowe — Sinn Féin 3 votes · 8 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 8 total

Social 3 questions
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if an assessment of need will still be required for an application for domiciliary care allowance given the recent policy reform announcement by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. [72237/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the long waiting period for an assessment of need is taken into account during an application for domiciliary care allowance; and if it has been brought to his attention that applications have been refused due to the lack of an assessment though a child is on the waiting list for an assessment. [72238/25]
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine the case of a person (details supplied) who has been denied domiciliary care allowance due to the lack of an assessment of need though they have been waiting for an appointment for some months. [72239/25]
Defence 1 question
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if the Government is to take delivery of the Dassault Falcon 6X aircraft in December 2025; the final agreed cost; and the date by which the aircraft will enter operational service. [72029/25]
Culture 1 question
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of data breaches recorded by Government departments and State agencies, in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [72511/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason a request to her Department by the HSE to provide clearance for a notification of a marriage interview involving a person in the IPAS system would result in a six-month delay. [71304/25]
Health 1 question
- 2025-12-16 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive conformation of, and a date for a notification of marriage interview. [71305/25]
Children 1 question
- 2025-12-18 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason that CDNT 8 of CHO 7 based in Chamber House, Tallaght, has not seen an increase in staffing or resources given the extremely high waiting list for both assessment of need and therapies; her views on whether that an almost five-year waiting list for therapies hinders a child’s participation in education and vital socialisation; the additional resources that will be put in place for a CDNT that has one of the lowest staffing levels in the area, but the highest waiting list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64094/25]

New lobbying 1 return

The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Agriculture
- Asked TD’s to support a bill proposed by Deputy Ruth Coppinger, PBP, to ban fox hunting in Ireland