Deputy Mark Ward.
On prevailing side: this member voted with the winning side in 425 of 432 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 | 1,752 | 2025-02-19 – 2026-10-01 |
| FF | Fianna Fáil | 278 | 2020-02-20 – 2026-09-23 |
Membership spells on record: FF 1997-06-06–2002-04-25 · FF 2002-05-17–2007-04-30 · FF 2007-05-24–2011-02-01 · FF 2011-02-25–2016-03-09 · FF 2016-03-10–2020-01-14 · FF 2020-02-08–2024-11-08 · FF 2024-11-29–present
Deputy Mark Ward.
You have had your opportunity, Deputy Doherty. Deputy Ward, will you please put your question?
Deputy Doherty. Deputy Ward, please.
Given the long discussions we have had in this House about SMEs, businesses and so forth, it is appropriate that we acknowledge Freda Hayes from Blarney Woollen Mills, which is celebrating 50 years in business, who is in the Public Gallery. It is quite a success story. She is here as a guest of Deputy Ken O'Flynn.
You need to allow the Tánaiste to speak.
I am not sure if we are witnessing a heave in real time in front of us, but there seems to have been a shift of numbers.
Thank you, Deputy Donohoe, and I wish you the very best in your new position.
I call Deputy John Paul O'Shea.
Yes, go ahead.
Is the Bill opposed?
Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.
There is no other sector that can point so accurately to the Government in terms of taxes and obstacles placed in the way of its development than road haulage couriers and the logistics business generally. Let us look at what they are facing. Every year, they make their submissions. Generally speaking, they ask for improvements to the sector, for the load of regulation to be lightened and for red tape and costs to be cut. No government has really reached out to fulfil these requests. Naturally enough, the costs hau…
This scandal has gone on for years under the noses of the Department of Health and all those involved in what should have been the management of a serious issue. Nothing was really done during those years to encourage parents to engage with consultants and hospitals to ensure there would be early intervention for them. We have seen failure after failure and nobody is held to account. In that time, we have seen significant money being allocated to the Department of Health and all to no effect. We are now talking abo…
Before I explain the division, the parents of Deputy Keira Keogh, Vinny and Mary, are in the Gallery and she has asked each and every one of you to behave yourselves in order to impress them. I must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion on the Arts (Recognition of Comedy) (Amendment) Bill 2024. On Thursday, 6 November 2025, on the question, "That the amendment to the amendment be made", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken now.
I must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion re cost of motoring. Last Wednesday, on the question, "That the motion be agreed to", a division was claimed and that division must be taken now.
I must now deal with a deferred division relating to the ministerial amendment to the Second Reading motion on the Bill. Last Thursday, on the question, "That the amendment be made", a division was claimed and that division will be taken now.
On behalf of Deputy Heneghan, I welcome Gavin, Myles, Joan and David Flood to the Public Gallery. They are all very welcome. I hope they enjoy the debate and their time here in the Leinster House. I call on Deputy Rory Hearne.
Deputy Healy Rae’s time is up. I call Deputy Heneghan.
The Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has completed its consideration of the following Supplementary Estimates for public services for the service of the year ending 31 December 2025: Votes 20 to 22, inclusive, and 24.
Deputy Healy-Rae, take a seat.