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Former Member of the Scottish Parliament
Paul O'Kane
Unknown party
At a glance Paul O'Kane was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Paul O'Kane did not vote in 128.
Voting record
The most recent divisions Paul O'Kane voted in. For, Against and Abstain are as recorded.
| 24 Mar 2026 | Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill | For |
| 24 Mar 2026 | Railways Bill - UK Legislation | For |
| 24 Mar 2026 | Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill | For |
| 24 Mar 2026 | Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill | For |
| 19 Mar 2026 | Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill | For |
| 19 Mar 2026 | Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 8th Report, 2026 (Session 6) | For |
| 18 Mar 2026 | Approval of SSI | For |
| 18 Mar 2026 | Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill | Abstain |
| 17 Mar 2026 | Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill | Against |
| 17 Mar 2026 | Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill | For |
| 17 Mar 2026 | Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill | Against |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Approval of SSI | For |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Approval of SSI | For |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Approval of SSI | For |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Approval of SSI | For |
Questions
Paul O'Kane has tabled 310 questions in the Scottish Parliament.
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support high streets and town centres in the West Scotland r…
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support high streets and town centres in the West Scotland region, in light of reported issues, including high vacancy rates.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what the current average processing time is for Adult Disability Payment applications su…
To ask the Scottish Government what the current average processing time is for Adult Disability Payment applications submitted under the special rules for people with a terminal illness, and what steps are being taken to reduce waiting times.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville · 12 Mar 2026
Social Security Scotland fast-tracks Special Rules for Terminal Illness applications, aiming to make a decision within seven working days of receiving a shortened application and confirmation of a terminal diagnosis.Latest statistics show the average processing time for Adult Disability Payment applications made under Special Rules for Terminal Illness is two working days.Social Security Scotland promotes awareness of the Special Rules for Terminal Illness policy on its website and social media channels, highlighting the fast-track, accessible application process and the support available for individuals. The organisation engages with health and social care stakeholders to strengthen their understanding of the process. Guidance for clinicians, including from the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, is available online.Applications received under the normal rules process are reviewed for Special Rules eligibility and, where appropriate, are fast-tracked.Adult Disability Payment statistics can be found on Social Security Scotland's website at: Adult Disability Payment statistics to 31 October 2025 - Social Security Scotland
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the Early Learning and Childcare formula for funding&nb…
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the Early Learning and Childcare formula for funding provided to local authorities, in light of concerns that children who turn three shortly after a term start date, such as in early January, cannot access funded nursery provision until the following term.
Answer · Natalie Don-Innes · 18 Mar 2026
The Scottish Government provides the vast majority of local government funding – including funding for delivery of the 1140 entitlement – by means of a block grant. It is then the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.The needs-based formula used to distribute the total funding available for local government is kept under constant review and is agreed with COSLA on behalf of all 32 local authorities each year. While the Scottish Government is always open to suggestions to improve the funding formula, any fundamental changes must properly come through COSLA in the first instance.
To ask the Scottish Government what review it has undertaken of procedures relating to the disclosure of abuse by child…
To ask the Scottish Government what review it has undertaken of procedures relating to the disclosure of abuse by children with a learning disability, autism or neurodiversity, including those children who are non-verbal.
Answer · Natalie Don-Innes · 10 Mar 2026
Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that robust child protection measures are in place across Scotland, and continue to be followed at all times. This includes for children with a learning disability, autism or neurodiversity.The National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland was reviewed and updated in 2023, including specific considerations for children with disabilities. A range of research and specialist resources informed this including reports from NSPCC, Disability Equality Scotland and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.The guidance sets out that the experience of each child must be central. Their voice and feelings must be heard when people make decisions that involve them. It recognises that some children require specific assistance and communication support so that they can share their experience.Scottish Government officials also sit on the independent Disabled Children Child Protection Network which brings together workers from across Scotland who are currently involved in working within child protection or services for disabled children. The Network aims to improve practice in the protection of disabled children by supporting practitioners to develop and share best practice. One of the Network’s current workstreams is focussed on the voice of disabled children, looking at how it is captured, responded to and used to inform decision making.
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has reportedly reduced the funding it provides to the Mark Scott Lead…
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has reportedly reduced the funding it provides to the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award programme for 2026-27.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what cross-government action it is taking to support island connectivity in the West Sco…
To ask the Scottish Government what cross-government action it is taking to support island connectivity in the West Scotland region.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of a postcode lottery for classroom supplies and that so…
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of a postcode lottery for classroom supplies and that some schools have only 93p per child per week for basic classroom supplies.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that Police Scotland has the capacity, training and re…
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that Police Scotland has the capacity, training and resources to respond effectively to explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) incidents in Scotland, including improving coordination with UK military EOD units to reduce response times and bolster public safety.
Answer · Angela Constance · 26 Jan 2026
Officer training and the associated resources and capacity in how Police Scotland respond to incidents involving unexploded ordnance are operational policing decisions for the Chief Constable, under the scrutiny of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), as is how they work with other agencies on this issue.It is for the Chief Constable, working with the working with the Scottish Police Authority, to determine how to allocate its budget to meet policing priorities including the provision of all necessary training. For the last ten years, the Scottish Government has increased the SPA budget year on year. We will invest record funding of over £1.7 billion for policing in 2026-27, a total budget increase of £81.5m or 5% compared to the published 2025-26 Autumn Budget Revision (ABR) budget.
Motions lodged
| 25 Mar 2026 | Johnstone Restaurant De Buddha Recognised at 2026 South Asian Network Awards | 11 sig. |
| 3 Mar 2026 | Judging the Scottish Government on its Education Record | 1 sig. |
| 17 Feb 2026 | Young Carers Action Day 2026 | 22 sig. |
| 12 Jan 2026 | David Arthur Celebrates 100th Birthday | 18 sig. |
| 9 Dec 2025 | Congratulating Author Jim Green MBA on the Publication of his Memoir | 13 sig. |
| 3 Dec 2025 | Kadir’s Fish and Chips Recognised by Two National Food Awards | 21 sig. |
Speeches
Recent things Paul O'Kane has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.
25 Mar 2026 Mobile Phone Use in Schools (Ban) (draft)
I am pleased to contribute to the debate, and in doing so, I thank Pam Gosal for bringing the issue to the chamber, and I wish her well. Pam was one of the first MSPs I met when I was elected to this place; we were in the same little group…
25 Mar 2026 Mobile Phone Use in Schools (Ban)
I am pleased to contribute to the debate, and in doing so, I thank Pam Gosal for bringing the issue to the chamber, and I wish her well. Pam was one of the first MSPs I met when I was elected to this place; we were in the same little group…
24 Mar 2026 Bank of Scotland Branch Closures (draft)
I would be more than happy, in my last act of service to Christine Grahame, to ensure that those details are passed across to her, because she is completely right. What can also happen through a credit union is that people’s benefits, incl…
24 Mar 2026 Bank of Scotland Branch Closures (draft)
I intend to make just a short speech this evening on a particular closure in my region. However, I begin by thanking Clare Haughey for lodging the motion and securing the debate. I also want to thank all colleagues who are taking part in t…
24 Mar 2026 Point of Order (draft)
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would appreciate your advice on how a member can correct the record when they have made an omission. My colleague Sarah Boyack, in her very fine final speech in this chamber, omitted to say that, a…
24 Mar 2026 Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)
There is a distinct air of the end of term all around us. There was a degree of chatter at the back of the chamber between the cabinet secretary and me and others, because people are becoming slightly demob happy, notwithstanding that an e…
19 Mar 2026 Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill (draft)
For probably the final time in this parliamentary session, I declare an interest in that my husband is a children and families social work manager and a registered social worker.As I sum up on behalf of Scottish Labour, I put on record my …
18 Mar 2026 Portfolio Question Time
I thank the Deputy First Minister for that answer, and in doing so, I acknowledge that this will be her last portfolio question time. I say to her: beannachd leat—farewell.In towns and villages in communities such as Johnstone, scores of p…
18 Mar 2026 Portfolio Question Time
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support high streets and town centres in the West Scotland region, in light of reported issues, including high vacancy rates. (S6O-05649)
17 Mar 2026 Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill (draft)
This is undoubtedly the most consequential decision that we will make in this session of Parliament, just five days before its conclusion. Indeed, it is one of the most consequential decisions that this Parliament has ever made in its rela…
17 Mar 2026 Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill
This is undoubtedly the most consequential decision that we will make in this session of Parliament, just five days before its conclusion. Indeed, it is one of the most consequential decisions that this Parliament has ever made in its rela…
17 Mar 2026 Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)
On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted yes.
17 Mar 2026 Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted yes.
12 Mar 2026 Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)
Stuart McMillan referenced the Republic of Ireland. He would recognise that there is a constitutional provision in Ireland that says that, when there are to be amendments to the constitution, they are decided on by referendums. There is a …
12 Mar 2026 Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Stuart McMillan referenced the Republic of Ireland. He would recognise that there is a constitutional provision in Ireland that says that, when there are to be amendments to the constitution, they are decided on by referendums. There is a …
12 Mar 2026 Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Stuart McMillan referenced the Republic of Ireland. He would recognise that there is a constitutional provision in Ireland that says that, when there are to be amendments to the constitution, they are decided on by referendums. There is a …
11 Mar 2026 Business Motions
I recognise that Friday is a working day, and I think that colleagues would all recognise that they work on Fridays. However, people were planning to do something different on Friday and had made arrangements based on that. Part of my day …
11 Mar 2026 Business Motions (draft)
I recognise that Friday is a working day, and I think that colleagues would all recognise that they work on Fridays. However, people were planning to do something different on Friday and had made arrangements based on that. Part of my day …
11 Mar 2026 Business Motions
Will the member take an intervention?
11 Mar 2026 Business Motions (draft)
Will the member take an intervention?
Seat & career
- West Scotland (region) Regional MSP · Dissolution 6 May 2021 – 8 Apr 2026
Allowances
2025 (latest published)
Source: Scottish Parliament (published ~1 year in arrears)
Contact & offices
Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.