# Leaders' Questions
Last week
28th May 2023 - 3rd June 2023
# Housing
Leo Varadkar says he believes homeless figures will fall
There were 12,259 people in emergency accommodation last month.
Last month
May 2023
# Leaders' Questions
'This is a sensitive issue': Tánaiste defends Govt approach in dealing with abortion law review
The abortion law review will go to the Oireachtas Health Committee for further scrutiny.
# Leaders' Questions
Varadkar: 'Ireland is a pretty safe country. We shouldn't be scaring people into thinking otherwise'
The Taoiseach said he does not think minimum sentences are a good idea.
# Leaders' Questions
McDonald calls on Taoiseach to go 'beyond cosy chats' to lower electricity costs for consumers
McDonald said Varadkar has not ‘intervened to ensure the big drop in wholesale cost gets speedily passed on to the consumers’.
# GAAGO
Virgin Media says RTÉ and GAAGO have questions to answer over rights deal
The broadcaster said it was never approached about the possibility of airing some GAA matches alongside RTÉ.
# gaa go
Not realistic to expect all GAA matches to be televised, says Taoiseach
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have expressed differing views on whether some GAA matches should be streamed behind a paywall.
This year
2023
# Secretary General
Tanaiste supports Robert Watt’s position at Department of Health despite Holohan controversy
Watt appeared before the Oireachtas finance committee yesterday, largely rejecting an external review into the proposed secondment of former CMO Tony Holohan.
# recycling
Tánaiste pledges review of waste collection as Dáil hears clashes over Panda's brown bin charge
Smith said that waste privatisation was to blame for the fact that some households would be paying close to an additional €100 a year on bin charges.
# Evictions
'Where will they go?': Coveney says invalid notices to quit should be challenged
The minister rounded on Sinn Féin’s policies to scrap the Help to Buy and First Home Scheme.
# fg vs labour
Taoiseach accused of being 'smug' as Labour and FG trade blows on housing record
It comes a day after the Department of Housing released new figures on social housing construction.
# kicking off
Ceann Comhairle threatens to suspend Dáil amid shouting, says public would be 'disgusted'
The Ceann Comhairle got to his feet to call for order after a tense exchange between Pearse Doherty and Micheál Martin
# drop the prices
Varadkar says windfall tax is coming and calls on energy companies to drop their prices
The Taoiseach says Government won’t just be using ‘politie encouragement’ to get prices down.
# Redress
TD says Mother and Baby Home redress is 'madness', Varadkar accuses her of 'demonising' govt
Catherine Connolly clashed with the Taoiseach during Leaders’ Questions today.
# Cost of Living
Govt expected to sign off on cost-of-living package next week following 'good discussion'
It comes after the Tánaiste accused Sinn Féin of “clever politics” in the Dáil during a tense exchange over the upcoming package.
# anti-racism
Varadkar condemns racism 'of any form' in the Dáil amid anti-refugee protests
The Government plans to unveil an action plan against racism in March.
# state redress
'How far back do we go?': Micheál Martin calls for 'debate' on historical wrongs by the State
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said yesterday that the Government “cannot spend the same euro twice”.
# Leaders' Questions
Taoiseach defends Paschal Donohoe as minister due to make Dáil statement on undeclared donations
Opposition TDs have called for a full explanation from the Minister, as well as the opportunity to ask questions.
Last year
2022
# Flights Cancelled
Eamon Ryan 'not asleep at the wheel' says Taoiseach as more flights cancelled due to weather
More flights are cancelled in and out of Dublin today as weather continues to disrupt travel.
# the last farewell
Elvis theme carries through Micheál Martin's last Leaders' Questions as Taoiseach
In a rare moment of pleasantry between the Sinn Féin leader and Taoiseach, Mary Lou McDonald wished Martin the best for the future ahead.
# Leaders' Questions
Government criticised over €700 million capital underspend in housing budget
The Dáil heard that local authorities currently have 2,000 homes under construction on various sites.
Restoring bankers bonuses and removing pay caps an 'insult' to working families, Dáil hears
The decision was criticised by Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall.
# rising costs
Taoiseach refuses to estimate final cost of National Children's Hospital
The current estimated cost of the NCH is €1.4 billion.
# Housing
Varadkar says Ireland's rents are 'unacceptably high' and compare unfavorably against most EU cities
Varadkar has said he wants the Housing for All plan implemented more quickly.
# Leaders' Questions
Individual in leadership role at Blackrock College 'was told of abuse allegations in 2002', Dáil hears
Labour leader Ivana Bacik claimed that survivors who approached the individual were told to “go away” and return with “proof and a solicitor”.
# Catherine Connolly
Leas-Cheann Comhairle writes to MacSharry over accusations of discrimination
Last week, MacSharry accused Catherine Connolly of “discrimination” for putting him at the bottom of the speaking order.
# vicky phelan
TDs pay tribute in the Dáil to 'fearless' Vicky Phelan
The CervicalCheck campaigner died yesterday.
Varadkar withdraws ‘hypocrite’ remark in fiery Dáil debate over leak probe
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall accused the Tánaiste of impugning her good name.
# Housing
Taoiseach says housing plan is working, as McDonald calls it a 'social catastrophe'
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien was criticised for comments he made during a Tonight Show debate yesterday.
# Leaders' Questions
Dáil told Govt has ‘failed to match people’s efforts to provide homes for Ukrainian refugees’
Martin criticised McDonald’s commentary on the matter during Leaders’ Questions today.
# Energy
1,000 disconnections in first half of this year as minister promises action plan in weeks
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty says 450,000 PAYG customers are being abandoned by Government.
# Leaders' Questions
Taoiseach struck by violence on O'Connell Street and says 'fabric of the street must change'
Róisín Shortall questioned the Taoiseach on the street following a Prime Time broadcast yesterday.
# Leaders' Questions
Taoiseach: Winter eviction ban still being considered, but is 'not the solution' to homeless crisis
The Dáil also paid tribute to the victims of the Creeslough explosion.
# pay as you go
Taoiseach criticised for lack of clarity on disconnection moratorium for pay-as-you-go customers
Martin maintains there are extra protections in place to protect customers.
# long-term leases
Taoiseach dismisses concerns about investor funds selling homes between each other for €1.7m
Taoiseach Micheál Martin says the solution is ramping up supply.
Varadkar says Ireland’s ‘very high’ rents are ‘out of kilter’ with similar countries
It came after Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty accused the government of ignoring proposals that would “put money back into people’s pockets.”
# Leaders' Questions
Green Party leader accuses Sinn Féin of 'following Tory approach' with energy price cap plan
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty responded by saying that Minister Ryan is ‘in bed with the Irish Tories’.
# long covid
More than 21,000 people cannot work because of long-Covid symptoms, Dáil told
Independent TD Denis Naughten called on the Taoiseach to ‘act now’ to address the care needs of those with symptoms
# School Buses
Tánaiste suggests 'nominal fee' for school bus tickets next year
Free school transport was announced by Government during the summer.
# Leaders' Questions
Energy costs dominates first day back but politicians get a giggle with 'Taoiseach' Mary Lou remark
A minute’s silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II was also held today.
# Leaders' Questions
Audit into infant organ disposal should be published without delay, says Taoiseach
The Taoiseach offered his “deepest sympathies” to the families impacted, stating that what happened compounded their grief.
