On prevailing side: this member voted with the winning side in 440 of 443 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 | 2,606 | 2020-07-30 – 2022-12-12 |
| FG | Fine Gael | 405 | 2020-01-21 – 2026-07-08 |
Membership spells on record: FG 1989-10-01–1992-12-17 · FG 2007-07-23–2011-04-25 · FG 2011-02-25–2016-03-09 · FG 2016-03-10–2020-03-29 · FG 2020-03-30–2025-01-29 · FG 2025-01-29–present
I thank Senator Boyhan. It has occurred to me that if we are establishing a good link between the European Parliament and the Seanad now, he always maintains the link between the Councillors and the Seanad.
Nearly in every speech.
We will stay in alphabetical order. I invite Ms O'Sullivan to respond to themes or questions that were raised.
Sorry. Mr. Kelly is next. I do not even know the alphabet.
I will have to go back and learn it.
I will move to questions from Members in a party order. I am working from a list submitted by the Whips offices. If Members are in a position on that list that they do not appreciate or are not happy with, they should speak to their Whip. I do not see Senator Casey in the Chamber but he is well represented by his articulate colleague, Senator O'Sullivan.
I apologise but I should have made this clear.
Our European colleagues are very familiar with this but it is very difficult for us Irish. It is one minute. However, since I did not advise the Senator in advance he may put his question.
A Kerryman could not address the Chamber in one minute.
I thank the Senator.
I thank the Senator. Given his experience and gravitas we indulged him a little there but I make it clear to colleagues that questions are to be one minute and it is questions only. I had not advised Senator O'Sullivan of that. At any rate, nobody would object to a certain indulgence of our very distinguished Kerry colleague. The MEPs have two minutes to respond to that. We will take all of them in sequence. Mr. Kelly might begin.
I thank Mr. Kelly. To break the consensus, I call Ms O'Sullivan.
I thank Ms O'Sullivan and call Mr. Kelleher.
I thank Mr. Kelleher. Our next distinguished questioner for one minute is Senator Conway from the Banner County.
I thank Ms O'Sullivan, Mr. Kelly and Mr. Kelleher. The next questioner is Senator Ruane.
There are times in life, when we are most challenged, that we have to use our initiative. I propose that we break from procedure here and ask all the Members remaining to put their question. I have to do this because of the clock. The MEPs have shown a level of intellectual dexterity that we know they will hold them all and then we can get two-minute responses from them. We will work our way through those now.
Yes. I have absolute confidence. I am sure that the MEPs have faced greater or equal challenges in the past. The next Member on the list is Senator Malcolm Byrne.
I call Senator Lombard who has been waiting patiently.
Adapting to realities of time and common sense, I suggest that our MEP guests, who have given us a wonderful afternoon, combine the answering of those questions with their concluding remarks. On that basis, they will have six minutes each, which I am sure is more than adequate.
I thank Mr. Kelly. Those sentiments are deeply appreciated. With gender balance in action, the last word will go to Ms O'Sullivan.