CC
2026-06-25 · Seanad
Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Is that agreed? Agreed.
On prevailing side: this member voted with the winning side in 191 of 191 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 | 111 | 2025-09-24 – 2026-07-09 |
| FF | Fianna Fáil | 84 | 2025-02-12 – 2026-09-24 |
Membership spells on record: FF 2025-01-29–present
Is that agreed? Agreed.
When is it proposed to sit again?
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht teacht isteach don díospóireacht seo. I commend Senator Mary Fitzpatrick on bringing this conversation to the House. It is good to have it. Similar to Senator Boyhan, I was a councillor. One of the biggest frustrations I had was the lack of power councillors had at local level to run their own local authorities. I found it very frustrating, in particular in terms of county development plans, local area plans and things being overridden by the Government after local consideratio…
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire, an Teachta Calleary. Gabhaim buíochas leis as teacht isteach inniu.
An bhfuil an tAire ag iarraidh teacht isteach air seo?
Sula dtéim ar aghaidh leis an gceist, cuirim fáilte roimh Ollscoil Tulane. I welcome the guests of Deputy Ryan O'Meara from Tulane University, atá sa Ghailearaí inniu. Tá fáilte mhór rompu. Gabhaim buíochas leo as ucht teacht isteach.
Cathain a bheartaítear an chéad Chéim eile a thógáil?
An bhfuil sé sin aontaithe? Aontaithe.
Cathain a bheartaítear an chéad Chéim eile a thógáil?
An bhfuil sé sin aontaithe? Aontaithe.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as ucht teacht isteach. I raise this issue in the context of a conversation I had last week with the INTO over in Buswells Hotel. While a lot of what I will raise probably highlights negatives that exist within the education system and offers solutions to them, I also acknowledge the good work that has been done. In the 2023-24 school year, Ireland achieved its lowest ever student-teacher ratio at primary school level. In the context of the global turmoil we see and the uncertain…
I acknowledge the work the Minister of State has been doing. An extra 860 special educational teachers is a mammoth investment. Any time I have approached him, whether about school transport or special education, he has been incredibly approachable and I acknowledge my appreciation for that. The special education side of it is obviously something we need to hugely focus on but what I am trying to get at today with this extra 1,000 teachers is more about mainstream education and the student who has additional needs …
Five minutes.
What was agreed was eight minutes for the Minister of State's opening statement, five minutes per Member, and then the Minister of State to respond.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?
We recently had Dr. Schön-Quinlivan and Ms Collier before the education committee and its Leas-Chathaoirleach, Senator Scahill, and we got to hear from students about their insights into how successful the programme was. I just want to mention that Senator Scahill and the rest of the committee are fully supportive of the initiative.
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Butler.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht teacht isteach inniu. Tá áthas orm an deis a bheith agam inniu labhairt ar an Dara Céim den Bhille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú), 2024. Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an mBille seo. Is reachtaíocht thábhachtach é a dhéanfaidh athnuachan ar struchtúir dhaonlathacha Údarás na Gaeltachta agus a neartóidh an nasc idir pobail Ghaeltachta agus an eagraíocht atá freagrach as a bhforbairt eacnamaíoch, shóisialta agus chultúrtha. Le breis agus 40 bliain anuas…