On prevailing side: this member voted with the winning side in 634 of 639 decisive votes (0 abstentions excluded). Read it as a government-or-opposition indicator rather than a measure of influence — the figure is near 100% for members supporting the government of the day and near 0% for those opposing it.
This is the point of the site: contributions keep the party held on the day, not the one held now.
| Party | Recorded as | Contributions | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC | Ceann Comhairle / Chair | 2,937 | 2020-07-09 – 2024-11-06 |
| FG | Fine Gael | 1,385 | 2020-03-20 – 2026-09-24 |
Membership spells on record: FG 2007-07-23–2011-04-25 · FG 2011-02-25–2016-03-09 · FG 2016-03-10–2020-03-29 · FG 2020-03-30–2024-11-29 · FG 2024-11-29–present
I welcome the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, to the House. She has demonstrated how members of the Cabinet should act in respect of Seanad Éireann. She is always available to us for Commencement and other debates, which we appreciate. I invite her to make her opening statement.
The Senator is on the quota for votes but she is over the quota for time.
I will have to become more strict on time.
It that agreed? Agreed.
The Minister might ask the Department to circulate a copy of the speech.
That is fine, I thank the Minister again for being here this evening. Senators Keogan and Craughwell will be sharing time. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Let the Minister of State reply.
As a teacher myself of 16 years, I thank the Members of the House for their participation in the debate and thank all of those involved in our education system. We have a very fine education system and we may have challenges but I hope we can all unite to ensure the children we all work to serve and support are given that equipment in terms of schools and teachers. I thank the Minister of State for being here.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, and thank him for being here.
When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?
Is that agreed? Agreed.
When is it proposed to sit again?
I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:Senator Tim Lombard - The need for the Minister for Education to increase the access to, and the number of, school national educational psychological service assessments.Senator Sharon Keogan - The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on the progress being made to put in place a national programme for local authorities to establish and run appren…
The Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, has not yet arrived to take the next matter. I propose that we suspend briefly in the meantime. Is that agreed? Agreed.
I welcome the Minister of State.
Is the Senator proposing an amendment to the Order of Business?
To be of assistance and to help the Senator, could he please specify what the exact issue is on the proposal to amend the Order of Business?
I thank the Deputy Leader. The next matter will be of interest to her. The students here this afternoon are from Bremore Educate Together Secondary School in north County Dublin. They are very welcome, and I thank them for their visit. I hope they have a very educational and delightful visit to Leinster House. Go raibh maith agaibh. An amendment to the Order of Business has been proposed by Senator Craughwell. Is the amendment being pressed?
I welcome the students and teachers from Scoil Mhuire CBS, Marino and Griffith Avenue, to the Gallery. I remind Members that we have to call the Minister at 1.37 p.m. We have six Members left so I ask them to condense their contributions to five minutes and we will get everybody in with their co-operation.