On prevailing side: this member voted with the winning side in 66 of 66 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 | 5,999 | 2020-06-29 – 2026-09-30 |
| FF | Fianna Fáil | 95 | 2020-03-20 – 2026-04-16 |
| ?? | Not recorded | 3 | 2020-07-30 – 2022-12-15 |
Membership spells on record: FF 2007-07-23–2011-04-25 · FF 2011-05-25–2016-04-24 · FF 2016-03-10–2020-03-29 · FF 2020-03-30–2020-06-29 · FF 2022-12-16–2025-01-29 · FF 2025-01-29–present
I welcome the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Lawless. The motion will be proposed by Senator Mike Kennelly and seconded by Senator Cathal Byrne. The debate will follow the normal pattern of six minutes each with the proposer and seconder both sharing 16 minutes.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Will the Senator confirm that he is seconding the motion?
I welcome to the Gallery visitors from the Arbour Hill education centre, who are guests of Deputy Jen Cummins. I was at Arbour Hill this morning. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. The next speaker is an Seanadóir McCarthy, who is sharing time with Senator Clonan.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Senators Harmon and Cosgrove are sharing time. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Is Senator Murray sharing time with Senator Noel O’Donovan?
Is that agreed? Agreed.
I thank the Minister of State for coming into Seanad Éireann today. Thank you, Minister, for being here as part of our ongoing celebrations of Europe Day and marking it over the coming week. The Minister of State will speak for ten minutes, group spokespersons also for ten minutes and all other Senators for five minutes. We will begin with the Minister of State, Thomas Byrne. Minister, you are most welcome.
Before we hear from the next speaker, I welcome to the Visitors Gallery my good friend, Deputy Michael Cahill, and his friends who have come all the way from Kerry, Phyllis O’Sullivan and Dermot and Stephen Toumy. I thank them for coming to Seanad Éireann and hope they enjoy their visit. They brought the fine weather from Kerry too, for which I thank them.
In his absence we will agree to that.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
That is all right. There will be injury time.
Before we hear from the next Senator, I welcome guests of the Minister of State, Deputy James Lawless, a school group from Drimnagh Castle Secondary School. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann today. As is protocol in Seanad Éireann, a visiting school has no homework for the rest of the week. If you need that in writing, we will send it on.
Senator Andrews, without interruption.
Without interruption.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
The Senator, without interruption, unless you want to invoke Standing Order 40, Minister, whereby you can ask to interrupt, but you must ask and the Senator must agree. Senator, you have extra time.