Donegal — week of Mon, 12 Jan — Watch Them Work

What your Donegal TDs did this week

Mon, 12 Jan – 18 Jan 2026 · 5 TDs · 3 bills voted on · 48 questions · 21 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Mercosur Trade Agreement

2026-01-14 · 3 votes

A sub-amendment · motion failed 69–85

Voted for 2 Charles Ward · Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Voted against 1 Pat the Cope Gallagher

Did not vote 2 Charlie McConalogue · Pearse Doherty

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 86–70

Voted for 1 Pat the Cope Gallagher

Voted against 3 Charles Ward · Pearse Doherty · Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Did not vote 1 Charlie McConalogue

The motion · motion passed 85–70

Voted for 1 Pat the Cope Gallagher

Voted against 3 Charles Ward · Pearse Doherty · Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Did not vote 1 Charlie McConalogue

Uisce Éireann Infrastructure Delivery, Accountability and Repair Timelines

2026-01-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 85–70

Voted for 1 Pat the Cope Gallagher

Voted against 3 Charles Ward · Pearse Doherty · Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Did not vote 1 Charlie McConalogue

The motion · motion passed 85–70

Voted for 1 Pat the Cope Gallagher

Voted against 3 Charles Ward · Pearse Doherty · Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Did not vote 1 Charlie McConalogue

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2026-01-13 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 84–67

Voted for 1 Pat the Cope Gallagher

Voted against 2 Charles Ward · Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Did not vote 2 Charlie McConalogue · Pearse Doherty

Charles Ward — 100% RDR 6 votes · 15 questions · 5 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 15 total

Housing 3 questions
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the proposed apartment, duplex and multi-unit dwelling remediation scheme will provide for the remediation of all multi-unit developments impacted by defective concrete; the anticipated timeline for enactment of the legislation and commencement of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1556/26]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the consideration of letters of recommendation submitted by local authorities in regard to the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; to confirm when such letters of recommendation submitted by Meath County Council and Wexford County Council will be processed; whether a submission from Louth County Council is currently under consideration or expected shortly; the expected timeline for decisions or determinations in respect of each county where letters of recommendation have been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2185/26]
- 2026-01-14 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the tendering and procurement process currently in place for the appointment of building professionals to carry out building condition assessments under the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; the way in which tenders are invited, evaluated and awarded; the criteria used in assessing submissions; to provide a list of the successful tenderers appointed to carry out such assessments in County Donegal; the number of assessments allocated to each appointed tenderer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2557/26]
Agriculture 3 questions
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE Forestry Inspector Grade 1 and Forestry Inspector Grade 2 posts that were filled within his Department as of 5 December 2025; if he will provide same figures as of 1 December 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74920/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the WTE staff by job title posts that are currently filled at the regional veterinary office based in Raphoe, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74921/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he will expedite the ban on surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74959/25]
Health 3 questions
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the waiting list for partial knee replacement surgery at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74908/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the percentage of children who received developmental checks carried out within 72 hours, at three months old, at six months old, at one year old, at two years old and at four years old, in Donegal in the years of 2022 to 2025 inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74918/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant anaesthesiologists posts that were filled at Letterkenny University Hospital in the years of 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74919/25]
Defence 2 questions
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotions from the rank of regimental quartermaster sergeant to sergeant major within the Army which occurred in the years 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74882/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotions from the rank of chief petty officer to warrant officer within the Naval Service which occurred in the years 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74886/25]
Foreign 1 question
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Irish Consul General based in New York has met formally with the new Mayor of New York city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74907/25]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of WTE qualified legal advisors working within his Department in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74923/25]
Social 1 question
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools in Donegal that have applied for the school meals scheme for the 2025-2026 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74887/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí, by rank attached to Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit as of 8 December 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74922/25]

New lobbying 5 returns

Irish fish Producers Organisation Ltd Marine
- Engagement with, Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister, Minister for State, select MEP s and DAFM TEAM re National Strategic issues pertaining to Marine Policy and to focus on achieving national objectives in Programme for Gov
Donegal Youth Service Children and Youth Affairs
- Invited elected representatives into visit our premises and speak to young people on youth related issues
Grow Remote Ireland CLG Employment
- Phone calls to elected reps offices to remind about upcoming All Party Group meeting in Leinster House
Irish Heart Foundation Health
- Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group
Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce Budgetary matters
- Chamber Ireland pre-Budget lobbying event. Meeting with Elected Representatives in Dublin

Charlie McConalogue — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 0 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

New lobbying 2 returns

Donegal Youth Service Children and Youth Affairs
- Invited elected representatives into visit our premises and speak to young people on youth related issues
Age Action Budgetary matters
- Funding for a Programme for Government commitment

Pat the Cope Gallagher — Fianna Fáil 6 votes · 2 questions · 8 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 2 total

Agriculture 1 question
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the European leaders he personally contacted in advance of the Fisheries Council seeking support for Ireland. [73713/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2026-01-15 Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated scale and value of the illicit roll-your-own tobacco market in Ireland; the most recent figures available on seizures and Revenue assessments; the estimated loss to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2976/26]

New lobbying 8 returns

Society of the Irish Motor Industry Taxation
- Budget 2026 - the key issues for SIMI in Budget 2026 were taxation and incentive policy in relation to motor vehicles, particularly Electric Vehicle (EV) Supports and EV charging infrastructure and in relation to tax, no increases in VRT, Road Tax or BIK in Budget 2026.
Irish fish Producers Organisation Ltd Marine
- Engagement with, Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister, Minister for State, select MEP s and DAFM TEAM re National Strategic issues pertaining to Marine Policy and to focus on achieving national objectives in Programme for Gov
Grow Remote Ireland CLG Employment
- Phone calls to elected reps offices to remind about upcoming All Party Group meeting in Leinster House
Age Action Budgetary matters
- Funding for a Programme for Government commitment
ENERGY CLOUD Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) Energy and Natural Resources
- 3 separate emails covering Pobal report, EnergyCloud Pre Budget Submission and EnergyCloud Monthly Wasted Energy Report
Irish Heart Foundation Health
- Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group
Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce Budgetary matters
- Chamber Ireland pre-Budget lobbying event. Meeting with Elected Representatives in Dublin
ALONE Social Protection
- Meeting request to members of Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection

Pearse Doherty — Sinn Féin 4 votes · 19 questions · 6 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 19 total

Finance 11 questions
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the safeguards and oversight mechanisms in place to ensure special purpose entities/section 110 companies are only used to create a bona fide securitisation and structured finance; the number of SPEs/S.110 companies that have had their registration as an SPE/S.110 company revoked or declined, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74049/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated share of the €1.24 trillion in assets now held in Irish special purpose entities/section 110 companies related to the Irish economy and economic activity in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74050/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will provide the total number of non-Irish domiciled companies i.e. incorporated in another jurisdiction but fulfil the tax residency test in Ireland; the number of non-domiciled section 110 companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74051/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to provide the number of charitable trusts that own special purpose entities/section 110 companies; the number of SPEs owned by each charitable trust, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74052/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total corporation tax paid by special purpose entities/section 110 companies for the most recent year data is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74053/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to set out the procedure for suspending a double taxation treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74054/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the percentage share and value of securitised mortgages held by each bank in the State; the share of securitised mortgages that have been used as collateral with the ECB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74055/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 252 of 20 March 2025, the reason Jersey does not appear on the list of double taxation agreements; if other jurisdictions have not been included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74056/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance for a breakdown of market assets pledged by Irish banks to the ECB as collateral by Government securities, asset-back securities, corporate bonds, banks bonds etc. [74057/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 377 of 16 of December 2025, to detail each obligation that no longer applies to covered institutions as a direct result of the revocation of the eligible liabilities guarantee scheme and the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75014/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance in relation to statements made by his predecessor (details supplied) if the former Minister for Finance met with the CEO of non-lending non-banks known as vulture funds; to outline any engagement between his Department and vulture funds since 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1070/26]
Health 4 questions
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure that adults have access through the health service to burosumab for treatment for hypophosphataemia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74617/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the details of every residential care home provider in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74794/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be referred to another hospital under the NTPF by Galway University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74883/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists which are providing care to medical card patients under the dental treatment service scheme, by county, in tabular form; the number of referrals for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74924/25]
Education 2 questions
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a child in Donegal will be provided with access to their chosen school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74193/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the entire northwest of Ireland, Sligo, Mayo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim and Cavan was excluded from the NCSE recruitment drive for senior and staff grade occupational therapists and speech and language therapists for the national educational therapy service (ETS) in special schools; if the decision will be reviewed to include them to ensure children living in those counties are not disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74415/25]
Social 1 question
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance application will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74288/25]
Children 1 question
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if funding awarded to organisations through the Children’s Disability Grant Fund has been received by the organisations; if the amounts received in 2025 will be provided; if not when all successful applicants will be awarded, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1939/26]

New lobbying 6 returns

Reduced Risk Products Association Company Limited Health
- The Reduced Risk Products Association issued written communications to Sinn Féin TDs and Senators outlining evidence on the role of vaping as a smoking cessation tool for adult smokers, and highlighting potential implications of proposed flavour restrictions for individuals who use vaping to quit or reduce smoking.
Grow Remote Ireland CLG · 2 returns Employment · Public Expenditure and Reform
- Phone calls to elected reps offices to remind about upcoming All Party Group meeting in Leinster House
- Meetings with elected representatives to discuss our Pre Budget Submission and Policy Objectives
Dexcom Health
- Diabetes Policy in Ireland
Irish Heart Foundation Health
- Irish Heart Foundation pre-budget submission 2026.
Fórsa trade union Budgetary matters
- Advocating Fórsa policy on the budget and encouraging 1. To address the impact of the removal of universal cost-of-living measures through social dialogue and wage increases 2. broaden tax base to deliver high quality public services & address the resources problems which exist in housing, health, education, childcare and in achieving a greener economy.; 3. Introduce tax relief on trade union subs 4. Increase minimum wage by 5%

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn — Sinn Féin 6 votes · 12 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 12 total

Climate 3 questions
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reasons a catch and release policy has been introduced on the Owenea river, County Donegal; the reason the Loughros More estuary, County Donegal has been closed for fishing in 2026; if he has considered the assertions from the local community that the Owenea river and the Owentocker river both have high fry counts; and if these decisions will be reconsidered. [74198/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his views on whether the development of marine protection areas should be based on the principle of co-creation whereby all relevant stakeholders are involved in the designation process from the earliest possible stage, as recommended by the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage in their report on the pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2023. [74414/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of the concerns of smaller and local waste collectors at the consultation on the feasibility of transitioning Ireland’s waste collection market from its current side-by-side licensing system to a franchise tendering system; and if he will reassure them this will not lead to large multinational operators squeezing them out of the market. [75031/25]
Agriculture 3 questions
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the aquaculture and foreshore management division (AFMD) in his Department determines the prioritisation of aquaculture applications requiring appropriate assessment; the criteria used to place bays or applications on its priority list; and if the prioritisation framework is published or communicated to applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74426/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the indicative timeframes for the commencement and completion of appropriate assessment (AA) once an application or bay has been prioritised; the reason no start date has been scheduled for AA’s in an area (details supplied) despite their inclusion on a priority list; the steps are being taken to improve transparency and certainty around timelines in the aquaculture licensing process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74427/25]
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the cross-departmental working group focused on navigating the complexities of State aid rules to create a capital funding scheme for non-SMEs in the seafood processing sector. [74641/25]
Children 2 questions
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when her Department will complete its assessment of the potential costs for the Exchequer, and an enhanced SME test, of the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75032/25]
- 2026-01-15 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide the National Equality Data Strategy 2026-2031. [2949/26]
Transport 2 questions
- 2026-01-15 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport if he will travel to Donegal and meet with locally elected councillors to learn at firsthand about the serious traffic management crisis in Letterkenny impacting the people of and visitors to Donegal, and the proposed local roads infrastructure projects that can address this crisis. [1398/26]
- 2026-01-15 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the reinstatement of the Derry to Dublin airlink, with clear timeframes. [1397/26]
Finance 1 question
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his plans to increase income tax exemption limits for persons over 65 years of age. [1192/26]
Housing 1 question
- 2026-01-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the plans of the NPWS to invest in the amenities at Glenveagh National Park in the short-term and medium-term. [75030/25]