Offaly — week of Mon, 2 Mar

What your Offaly TDs did this week

Mon, 2 Mar – 8 Mar 2026 · 3 TDs · 2 bills voted on · 23 questions · 4 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Online Safety (Recommender Algorithms) Bill 2026

2026-03-04 · 2 votes · People Before Profit-Solidarity PMB

A bill to amend the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 to regulate the use of recommender algorithms by video-sharing platform services

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 80–63

Voted for 2 John Clendennen · Tony McCormack

Did not vote 1 Carol Nolan

The motion · motion passed 81–63

Voted for 2 John Clendennen · Tony McCormack

Did not vote 1 Carol Nolan

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2026-03-03 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 84–68

Voted for 2 John Clendennen · Tony McCormack

Did not vote 1 Carol Nolan

Carol Nolan — Independent 0 votes · 6 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 6 total

Justice 4 questions
- 2026-03-03 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 27 January 2026, to confirm that according to the CSO, the number of people estimated to reside within the State who originated from outside the UK and the EU27 has risen from 168,700 in April 2019 to 426,400 in April 2025, a net increase of approximately 257,700; his views on whether it is sustainable for a number of people greater than the population of Cork city to migrate into Ireland from outside the UK or the EU in just a five-year period [16390/26]
- 2026-03-03 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason a company (details supplied) was paid more in asylum accommodation payments for the last quarter of 2025 than it was in the last quarter of 2024, given that the State purchased both the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre, which make up the greater part of the accommodation supplied by the former owner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16839/26]
- 2026-03-03 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way the State's purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre can be justified as a saving in public funding given that the former owners continue to be paid for the provision of accommodation, and at a higher level than before the sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16840/26]
- 2026-03-03 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 746 of 24 February 2026, the number of instances where concerns regarding a renewal application were raised by his officials; the number of in-person renewals that were conducted to assess original copies of documents before completing the application; the number of instances where it was found that someone has presented fraudulent documentation relating to their online renewal and an investigation was initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16893/26]
Climate 1 question
- 2026-03-03 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure; Infrastructure; Public Service Reform and Digitalisation on progressing the River Shannon Management Agency Bill 2020, (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16826/26]
Social 1 question
- 2026-03-04 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has conducted any assessment on the viability of introducing a universal basic income model including the financial costs of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17358/26]

New lobbying 2 returns

The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) Ltd Agriculture
- Extension of Hedgecutting untill 17/03/2026
Vape Business Ireland Health
- Legislation on vaping

John Clendennen — Fine Gael 3 votes · 8 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 8 total

Transport 4 questions
- 2026-03-03 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the position regarding pensions within Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE) and its subsidiary companies; the current funding position of the CIÉ pension schemes; the engagement underway between his Department, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, and the relevant stakeholders on addressing pension sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16425/26]
- 2026-03-03 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the latest actuarial assessment of the CIÉ pension schemes; the projected funding shortfall, if any; the measures being considered to ensure long-term financial sustainability; the expected timeline for decisions on the future structure and funding of these pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16427/26]
- 2026-03-03 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine the feasibility of establishing a targeted footpath repair and upgrade fund within the 2027 roads programme, aimed at addressing defective and inaccessible footpaths and enhancing walkability, particularly for older persons and those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16428/26]
- 2026-03-03 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the provision of catering services on the Irish Rail InterCity services, which currently have no catering service; the details of any progress made towards the provision of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16429/26]
Social 2 questions
- 2026-03-03 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications, approvals and refusals for exceptional needs payments (additional needs payments) processed by the Community Welfare Service, broken down by county, for each of the years 2021 to 2025 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16424/26]
- 2026-03-03 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Social Protection the total expenditure on exceptional needs payments (additional needs payments) by county, for each of the years 2021 to 2025, inclusive; the average payment awarded in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16426/26]
Health 2 questions
- 2026-03-05 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any analysis or action plan currently being considered in terms of additional healthcare capacity in the midlands, in particular elective care capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17322/26]
- 2026-03-05 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Health the consideration currently being given to the expansion of elective care capacity in the midlands, specifically Offaly; the likely timeframe associated with any such consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17321/26]

New lobbying 2 returns

The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) Ltd Agriculture
- Extension of Hedgecutting untill 17/03/2026
Vape Business Ireland Health
- Legislation on vaping

Tony McCormack — Fianna Fáil 3 votes · 9 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 9 total

Culture 2 questions
- 2026-03-03 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures being taken to increase the provision of public swimming pools, particularly in areas currently without adequate facilities; and if he will outline any capital funding streams available for such projects. [16795/26]
- 2026-03-03 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next round of the sports capital and equipment programme will be announced; the expected timeline for the opening of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16794/26]
Taoiseach 2 questions
- 2026-03-03 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Taoiseach the current status of the implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Group on Conveyancing and Probate and the timeline for the implementation of each recommendation. [16858/26]
- 2026-03-03 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Taoiseach whether he will consider introducing defined timelines for conveyancing in the Best Practice Charter for Solicitors and Estate Agents in Conveyancing, developed by the Expert Group on Conveyancing and Probate, to improve efficiency and certainty in conveyancing and if he will legislate for timelines in the event that objectives are not achieved with reducing timelines. [16859/26]
Health 2 questions
- 2026-03-05 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Health the capital projects currently approved for health facilities in County Offaly; the funding allocated in 2026; the projected completion dates for these projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17613/26]
- 2026-03-05 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Health the average ambulance response times in County Offaly in each of the past two years; how these compare with national targets; whether additional National Ambulance Service resources are planned for the region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17612/26]
Housing 2 questions
- 2026-03-05 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received and approved under the vacant property refurbishment grant and the croí cónaithe fund nationally to date; the total funding allocated and drawn down; the average processing time for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17619/26]
- 2026-03-05 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units nationally with full planning permission that have not yet commenced construction; the measures being taken to activate these permissions and accelerate delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17620/26]
Defence 1 question
- 2026-03-05 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Defence her plans to introduce a local participation mechanism in Irelands defence procurement process to ensure Irish SME’s are included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18196/26]