Dáil vote · 5 March 2025

Waste in Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members]

Amendment put

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What this vote means

Policy motion · Amendment

This is a vote on an amendment. Tá and Níl refer to that amendment, rather than the whole Bill or motion. Check whether it proposes adding, removing or replacing words.

A policy motion expresses the House's position or calls for action. It does not itself change the law or legally require the Government to carry out the policy requested.

The exact wording is not supplied in this division record. Check the official debate.

Tá means yes and Níl means no to the exact question put. The vote alone does not establish a TD's full position or reasons.

DáilDex interpretation of the official wording.

Oireachtas definitions

The result

Carried

Tá (yes): 90
Níl (no): 69
Staon (abstain): 0

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Mary Butler and Emer Currie; Níl, Deputies Michael Collins and Richard O'Donoghue.

Official record Read the debate

How each party voted

Party	Tá	Níl	Staon	No vote	Most voted
Fianna Fáil	43	–	–	5	Tá
Sinn Féin	–	36	–	3	Níl
Fine Gael	36	–	–	2	Tá
Independent	11	4	–	1	No whip
Labour Party	–	11	–	–	Níl
Social Democrats	–	8	–	2	Níl
Independent Ireland	–	4	–	–	Níl
People Before Profit-Solidarity	–	1	–	2

How every TD voted

Showing 174 of 174 TDs

Aengus Ó SnodaighSinn Féin · Dublin South-Central
Níl
Aidan FarrellySocial Democrats · Kildare North
Níl
Aindrias MoynihanFianna Fáil · Cork North-West
Tá
Aisling DempseyFianna Fáil · Meath West
Tá
Alan DillonFine Gael · Mayo
Tá
Alan KellyLabour Party · Tipperary North
Níl
Albert DolanFianna Fáil · Galway East
Tá
Ann GravesSinn Féin · Dublin Fingal East
Níl
Barry HeneghanIndependent · Dublin Bay North
Tá
Barry WardFine Gael · Dún Laoghaire
Tá
Brendan SmithFianna Fáil · Cavan-Monaghan
Tá
Brian BrennanFine Gael · Wicklow-Wexford
Tá
Brian StanleyIndependent · Laois
Níl
Carol NolanIndependent · Offaly
Tá
Cathal CroweFianna Fáil · Clare
Tá
Catherine ArdaghFianna Fáil · Dublin South-Central
Tá
Catherine CallaghanFine Gael · Carlow-Kilkenny
Tá
Catherine ConnollyIndependents 4 Change · Galway West
Níl
Cathy BennettSinn Féin · Cavan-Monaghan
Níl
Charles Ward100% RDR · Donegal
Níl
Charlie McConalogueFianna Fáil · Donegal
Tá
Christopher O'SullivanFianna Fáil · Cork South-West
Tá
Cian O'CallaghanSocial Democrats · Dublin Bay North
Níl
Ciarán AhernLabour Party · Dublin South-West
Níl
Claire KerraneSinn Féin · Roscommon-Galway
Níl
Colm BrophyFine Gael · Dublin South-West
Tá
Colm BurkeFine Gael · Cork North-Central
No vote
Conor D. McGuinnessSinn Féin · Waterford
Níl
Conor SheehanLabour Party · Limerick City
Níl
Cormac DevlinFianna Fáil · Dún Laoghaire
Tá
Danny Healy-RaeIndependent · Kerry
Tá
Dara CallearyFianna Fáil · Mayo
Tá
Darragh O'BrienFianna Fáil · Dublin Fingal East
No vote
Darren O'RourkeSinn Féin · Meath East
Níl
David CullinaneSinn Féin · Waterford
Níl
David MaxwellFine Gael · Cavan-Monaghan
Tá
Denise MitchellSinn Féin · Dublin Bay North
Níl
Dessie EllisSinn Féin · Dublin North-West
Níl
Donna McGettiganSinn Féin · Clare
Níl
Donnchadh Ó LaoghaireSinn Féin · Cork South-Central
Níl
Duncan SmithLabour Party · Dublin Fingal East
Níl
Eamon ScanlonFianna Fáil · Sligo-Leitrim
Tá
Edward TimminsFine Gael · Wicklow
Tá
Emer CurrieFine Gael · Dublin West
Tá
Emer HigginsFine Gael · Dublin Mid-West
Tá
Eoghan KennyLabour Party · Cork North-Central
Níl
Eoin HayesIndependent · Dublin Bay South
Níl
Eoin Ó BroinSinn Féin · Dublin Mid-West
No vote
Erin McGreehanFianna Fáil · Louth
Tá
Fionntán Ó SúilleabháinSinn Féin · Wicklow-Wexford
No vote
Frankie FeighanFine Gael · Sligo-Leitrim
Tá
Gary GannonSocial Democrats · Dublin Central
Níl
Ged NashLabour Party · Louth
Níl
George LawlorLabour Party · Wexford
Níl
Gillian TooleIndependent · Meath East
Tá
Grace BolandFine Gael · Dublin Fingal West
Tá
Helen McEnteeFine Gael · Meath East
No vote
Hildegarde NaughtonFine Gael · Galway West
Tá
Holly CairnsSocial Democrats · Cork South-West
No vote
Ivana BacikLabour Party · Dublin Bay South
Níl
Jack ChambersFianna Fáil · Dublin West
Tá
James BrowneFianna Fáil · Wexford
Tá
James GeogheganFine Gael · Dublin Bay South
Tá
James LawlessFianna Fáil · Kildare North
Tá
James O'ConnorFianna Fáil · Cork East
Tá
Jen CumminsSocial Democrats · Dublin South-Central
Níl
Jennifer Carroll MacNeillFine Gael · Dún Laoghaire
Tá
Jennifer Murnane O'ConnorFianna Fáil · Carlow-Kilkenny
Tá
Jennifer WhitmoreSocial Democrats · Wicklow
Níl
Jerry ButtimerFine Gael · Cork South-Central
Tá
Jim O'CallaghanFianna Fáil · Dublin Bay South
No vote
Joanna ByrneSinn Féin · Louth
Níl
Joe CooneyFine Gael · Clare
Tá
Joe NevilleFine Gael · Kildare North
Tá
John BradySinn Féin · Wicklow
Níl
John ClendennenFine Gael · Offaly
Tá
John ConnollyFianna Fáil · Galway West
Tá
John CumminsFine Gael · Waterford
Tá
John LahartFianna Fáil · Dublin South-West
Tá
John McGuinnessFianna Fáil · Carlow-Kilkenny
No vote
John Paul O'SheaFine Gael · Cork North-West
Tá
Johnny GuirkeSinn Féin · Meath West
Níl
Johnny MythenSinn Féin · Wexford
Níl
Keira KeoghFine Gael · Mayo
Tá
Ken O'FlynnIndependent Ireland · Cork North-Central
Níl
Kevin Boxer MoranIndependent · Longford-Westmeath
Tá
Kieran O'DonnellFine Gael · Limerick City
Tá
Liam QuaideSocial Democrats · Cork East
No vote
Louis O'HaraSinn Féin · Galway East
Níl
Louise O'ReillySinn Féin · Dublin Fingal West
Níl
Maeve O'ConnellFine Gael · Dublin Rathdown
Tá
Máire DevineSinn Féin · Dublin South-Central
Níl
Mairéad FarrellSinn Féin · Galway West
Níl
Malcolm ByrneFianna Fáil · Wicklow-Wexford
Tá
Marian HarkinIndependent · Sligo-Leitrim
Tá
Marie SherlockLabour Party · Dublin Central
Níl
Mark WallLabour Party · Kildare South
Níl
Mark WardSinn Féin · Dublin Mid-West
Níl
Martin DalyFianna Fáil · Roscommon-Galway
Tá
Martin HeydonFine Gael · Kildare South
Tá
Martin KennySinn Féin · Sligo-Leitrim
Níl
Mary ButlerFianna Fáil · Waterford
Tá
Mary Lou McDonaldSinn Féin · Dublin Central
No vote
Matt CarthySinn Féin · Cavan-Monaghan
Níl
Mattie McGrathIndependent · Tipperary South
Tá
Maurice QuinlivanSinn Féin · Limerick City
Níl
Michael CahillFianna Fáil · Kerry
Tá
Michael CollinsIndependent Ireland · Cork South-West
Níl
Michael FitzmauriceIndependent Ireland · Roscommon-Galway
Níl
Michael Healy-RaeIndependent · Kerry
Tá
Michael LowryIndependent · Tipperary North
Tá
Michael MoynihanFianna Fáil · Cork North-West
Tá
Michael MurphyFine Gael · Tipperary South
Tá
Micheál CarrigyFine Gael · Longford-Westmeath
Tá
Micheál MartinFianna Fáil · Cork South-Central
No vote
Naoise Ó CearúilFianna Fáil · Kildare North
Tá
Naoise Ó MuiríFine Gael · Dublin Bay North
Tá
Natasha Newsome DrennanSinn Féin · Carlow-Kilkenny
Níl
Neale RichmondFine Gael · Dublin Rathdown
Tá
Niall CollinsFianna Fáil · Limerick County
No vote
Niamh SmythFianna Fáil · Cavan-Monaghan
Tá
Noel GrealishIndependent · Galway West
Tá
Noel McCarthyFine Gael · Cork East
Tá
Norma FoleyFianna Fáil · Kerry
Tá
Pa DalySinn Féin · Kerry
Níl
Pádraig Mac LochlainnSinn Féin · Donegal
Níl
Pádraig O'SullivanFianna Fáil · Cork North-Central
Tá
Pádraig RiceSocial Democrats · Cork South-Central
Níl
Paschal DonohoeFine Gael · Dublin Central
Tá
Pat BuckleySinn Féin · Cork East
Níl
Pat the Cope GallagherFianna Fáil · Donegal
Tá
Patrick O'DonovanFine Gael · Limerick County
Tá
Paul DonnellySinn Féin · Dublin West
Níl
Paul LawlessAontú · Mayo
Níl
Paul McAuliffeFianna Fáil · Dublin North-West
Tá
Paul MurphyPeople Before Profit-Solidarity · Dublin South-West
No vote
Paul Nicholas GogartyIndependent · Dublin Mid-West
Níl
Paula ButterlyFine Gael · Louth
Tá
Peadar TóibínAontú · Meath West
Níl
Pearse DohertySinn Féin · Donegal
Níl
Peter 'Chap' CleereFianna Fáil · Carlow-Kilkenny
Tá
Peter BurkeFine Gael · Longford-Westmeath
Tá
Peter RocheFine Gael · Galway East
Tá
Réada CroninSinn Féin · Kildare North
Níl
Richard Boyd BarrettPeople Before Profit-Solidarity · Dún Laoghaire
No vote
Richard O'DonoghueIndependent Ireland · Limerick County
Níl
Robert O'DonoghueLabour Party · Dublin Fingal West
Níl
Robert TroyFianna Fáil · Longford-Westmeath
Tá
Roderic O'GormanGreen Party · Dublin West
Níl
Rory HearneSocial Democrats · Dublin North-West
Níl
Rose Conway-WalshSinn Féin · Mayo
Níl
Ruairí Ó MurchúSinn Féin · Louth
Níl
Ruth CoppingerPeople Before Profit-Solidarity · Dublin West
Níl
Ryan O'MearaFianna Fáil · Tipperary North
Tá
Seamus HealyIndependent · Tipperary South
Níl
Séamus McGrathFianna Fáil · Cork South-Central
Tá
Seán CanneyIndependent · Galway East
Tá
Seán CroweSinn Féin · Dublin South-West
Níl
Sean FlemingFianna Fáil · Laois
Tá
Seán Ó FearghaílFianna Fáil · Kildare South
Tá
Shane MoynihanFianna Fáil · Dublin Mid-West
Tá
Shay BrennanFianna Fáil · Dublin Rathdown
Tá
Shónagh Ní RaghallaighSinn Féin · Kildare South
Níl
Simon HarrisFine Gael · Wicklow
Tá
Sinéad GibneySocial Democrats · Dublin Rathdown
Níl
Sorca ClarkeSinn Féin · Longford-Westmeath
Níl
Thomas ByrneFianna Fáil · Meath East
Tá
Thomas GouldSinn Féin · Cork North-Central
Níl
Timmy DooleyFianna Fáil · Clare
Tá
Tom BrabazonFianna Fáil · Dublin Bay North
Tá
Tony McCormackFianna Fáil · Offaly
Tá
Verona MurphyIndependent · Wexford
No vote
William AirdFine Gael · Laois
Tá
Willie O'DeaFianna Fáil · Limerick City
Tá

The full text TDs voted on

This vote decided amendment No. 1. It deletes the motion's wording and puts its own text in its place. Tá supported replacing the original text; Níl opposed replacing it. Neither is a vote on the original motion by itself.

A motion can bundle several proposals together. Tá or Níl applies to the whole question put, so a TD may agree with one part and still vote against it because of another. Read the full wording, and the debate where TDs gave their reasons, before treating this vote as a position on any single point.

The motion as movedMoved by Deputy Michael Collins on Wednesday, 5 March 2025

That Dáil Éireann:
notes that:
— overspending and waste within the public sector not only erodes trust in Government but also diverts resources from essential services; and
— as members of Dáil Éireann, and therefore custodians of the public purse, we have a duty to the people of Ireland to be committed to ensuring that taxpayers' money is managed responsibly, efficiently, and transparently;
acknowledges that there have been numerous ongoing failures by Governments past and present to properly manage cost control on Government funded projects, such as:
— the €808,000 Dáil printer scandal, where a printer was purchased but could not fit into the print room, leading to over €230,000 in modifications;
— the €725 million RTÉ bailout;
— the Office of Public Works (OPW) Government Buildings security hut at a final cost of €1.43 million;
— the National Children's Hospital overrun which has surpassed €2.5 billion;
— the €22 million on covid ventilators, that never worked, with another €50,000 spent on storing them;
— the €2.5 billion paid out in medical compensation over ten years, by the Health Service Executive;
— the OPW Leinster House bike shed at a cost of €336,000;
— the OPW Iveagh House refurbishment at a cost of €825,000;
— the National Transport Authority spend on Metro North, in the region of €300 million with nothing built;
— the OPW wall at the Workplace Relations Commission's Dublin headquarters escalated from an initial estimate of €200,000 to over €490,000;
— the electric buses, that sat idle for a year and a half because there were no chargers;
— the €7 million by the Arts Council on an Information Technology system that has never been used;
— the National Gallery scanner, purchased at €120,000, but never used because no suitable room was found; and
calls on the Government to:
— acknowledge that the historical record indicates that there is systemic dysfunction across Government in public expenditure control and oversight;
— establish within the first year of this current Government, an Independent Watchdog for Government Spending; "The Department of Efficiency and Reform":
— to be an independent entity recruited from the private sector, dedicated to monitoring and improving public sector spending;
— to operate similar to Revenue Commissioners or Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), with a regional scope, assigned to geographic areas;
— to appoint commissioners through a competitive tender process targeting qualified private professionals, such as private sector efficiency consultants, solicitors, auditors, accountants, actuaries, tasked to address procurement and tendering processes to streamline and improve efficiency with implementation of timelines and goals for delivery of projects, with powers codified in legislation and authority similar to HIQA's inspection framework;
— to conduct unannounced audits and inspections of public bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations and agencies;
— to investigate waste, inefficiencies, or mismanagement of funds; and
— to issue recommendations or corrective measures, escalating unresolved issues to the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Amendment No. 1Decided in this voteMoved by the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:
"notes that:
— the Government condemns the waste of any public money and notes that significant sums have been spent on providing better public services in recent years with the additional funding allocated towards improving and expanding the public services provided to our people;
— Government expenditure has provided, and continues to provide, a robust response to the challenges and needs facing the Irish nation, through continued investment, leadership, and value for money in the delivery of public services and important infrastructure projects with this investment making significant positive impacts, including:
— since 2021, completion of almost 53,000 new local authority scheme dwellings and delivery of hundreds of projects under the Rural and Urban Regeneration and Development Funds;
— significant reductions in outpatient waiting lists and improved health facilities, such as the National Forensic Mental Hospital in Portrane, hospital extensions and new primary care centres and community nursing units across the country;
— a reduction of approximately 48 per cent in the weighted average waiting time for outpatient appointments, down from just over 13 months in September 2021 to 6.8 months at the end of December 2024;
— cost barriers associated with healthcare being reduced through the abolition of inpatient charges, the introduction of the free contraception scheme, and the expansion of access to free general practitioner care to over 670,000 people, making healthcare more affordable for individuals and families;
— Ireland performing well on treatable and preventable causes of mortality and making significant improvements over the past decade, including reductions in the mortality rate for all cancers;
— Ireland being among a small group of seven European Union (EU) countries where life expectancy at birth is above 82;
— significant upgrades to Ireland's national road network and improvements to the public transport system, including BusConnects;
— high-quality cultural and sporting amenities delivered, such as the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown;

Amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 1

To delete all words after "notes that:" and substitute the following:
"— there needs to be a disciplinary process for senior civil servants for instances of repeated waste of public funds;
— accountability needs to be written into the contracts of senior civil servants; and
— there should be a Minister of State for Accountability, nominated and located within the Department of the Taoiseach, to track live procurement and infrastructural projects to ensure they do not go over budget and are delivered on time, to report to the Taoiseach on a weekly basis in terms of accountability.".

Wording as published in the official Dáil record, unedited. Read the debate