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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Paul O'Kane

Scottish Labour

MSP for West Scotland (Region) 2021 - present day

About Paul O'Kane

Contact details

Contact online

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 5942
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

Phone: 0141 887 5111
Text relay calls welcome.

Committees

Cross-party groups

Paul is a member of 14 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Building Bridges with Israel

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Co-Operatives

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Deafness

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Diabetes

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Dyslexia

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on India

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Learning Disability

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on LGBTI+

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Long Covid

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Poverty

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Science and Technology

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Social Work

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Ukraine

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Volunteering

Member

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Paul does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Paul has 3 party roles

Party Spokesperson on Equalities

Scottish Labour

Party Spokesperson on Social Justice

Scottish Labour

Party Spokesperson on Social Security

Scottish Labour

Previous roles

Paul has had 5 previous roles

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

22 June 2021 - 25 April 2023

Health Social Care and Sport Committee

Deputy Convener

22 September 2021 - 25 April 2023

Equalities Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Substitute Member

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Public Health

Scottish Labour

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Social Care

Scottish Labour

17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021

Health Social Care and Sport Committee

Member

Register of interests

Paul's register of interests

MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.

Here is the register for Paul O'Kane. The date of their initial statement was 07 June 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

Until 4 May 2022, I was a councillor for East Renfrewshire Council (of Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, G46 6UH) and additionally, until 10 June 2021, I was Depute Leader of the Council and Convener for Education and Equalities. I worked approximately 21 hours per week and, until 10 June 2021, received remuneration of between £20,001 and £25,000 per annum. I had resigned as Depute Leader of the Council and Convener for Education and Equalities with effect from 10 June 2021 but remained as a councillor. From 10 June 2021 to 4 May 2022, I received remuneration of between £15,001 to £20,000 per annum. My councillor salary was donated to local community groups in my Ward. [Amended interest 5 October 2022]

Until 10 May 2021, I was a Policy and Participation Manager at ENABLE Scotland (a Learning Disability Charity and Social Care Provider of Inspire House, 3 Renshaw Place, Eurocentral, North Lanarkshire, ML14UF). I worked 21 hours per week and the remuneration I received was between £30,001 and £35,000 (pro-rata) per annum.

Until 10 June 2021, I will be Chair of the Transport and Mechanical Advisory Group Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE) (a not for profit unincorporated association of 300 Councils across the UK promoting excellence in public services of Scottish Office, Brandon House, 23-25 Brandon Street, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, ML3 6DA). I work 4 hours per month and receive remuneration of between £1,001 and £2,000 per annum. I resigned from this role with effect from 10 June 2021.

Gifts

On 18th September 2022, I received two Group D Finals tickets for my husband and I for the Davis Cup in Glasgow from the Lawn Tennis Association (National Tennis Centre, 100 Priory Lane, Roehampton, London, SW15 5JQ). The value of these tickets was £492. [Registered 3 October 2022]

Overseas visits

From 23 to 26 March 2025, I participated in a delegation to Bosnia-Herzegovina to learn about the war of the early 1990s and the genocide at Srebrenica. Travel expenses, accommodation in Sarajevo, city taxes, museum entries and meals to the total value of £780.00 were provided by Beyond Srebrenica, (a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC046540) which coordinates Srebrenica awareness activities in Scotland of c/o Turcan Connell Solicitors, Princes Exchange, Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9EE). [Registered 8 April 2025]

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

I am a member of Community Union.

I received two complimentary tickets from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland of Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB for my husband and I to attend the Royal Highland Show on Sunday 23 June 2024, the estimated value of the tickets was £68.00. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I was paid £100 by You Gov on 25 September 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 25 September 2024]

I received two complimentary tickets from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland of Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB for my husband and I to attend the Royal Highland Show on Sunday 25 June 2023, the estimated value of the tickets was £68.00. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I was paid £100 by You Gov on 10 July 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I am a member of the Scottish Co-operative Party.

I am the Chair of Trustees of Neilston War Memorial Association.

I am a member of LGBT Labour Scotland.

I was paid £30 by You Gov on 25 April 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I am a member of GMB Union.

I am a patron of LGBT Labour.

I was paid £70 by You Gov on 25 July 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I was paid £75 by Savanta on 26 June 2024 for completing a survey. [Registered 16 September 2024]

I am a member of ENABLE Scotland.

Recent Activity

What was said

What Paul O'Kane has said in Parliament

These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.

Chamber meeting date: 20 May 2025

Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I am pleased to speak to amendment 116 and to my other amendments in the group…

Chamber meeting date: 20 May 2025

Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill

Paul O’Kane: "Tess White spoke about the challenges that the bill presents, particularly with regard to the independence of the judiciary…

Social Justice and Social Security Committee meeting date: 15 May 2025

Financial Considerations When Leaving an Abusive Relationship

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "Good morning. The first area that is of interest to the committee is about issues around public debt when people are leaving an abusive relationship…

Social Justice and Social Security Committee meeting date: 15 May 2025

United Kingdom Government Welfare Reforms

Paul O’Kane: "No, convener; I said that I would indicate if I wanted to come in."

Chamber meeting date: 13 May 2025

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the debate. At this stage of the evening, I am pleased to be following so many considered, passionate and powerful speeches by colleagues from all parts of the chamber…

Votes

How Paul O'Kane has voted in Parliament

Find out how Paul O'Kane has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-17598

Empowering Scotland’s Island Communities

Submitted by: Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, May 19, 2025

Supported by: Jim Fairlie
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Result 63 for, 40 against, 7 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP not voted

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17598.2

Empowering Scotland’s Island Communities

Submitted by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Supported by: Tim Eagle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Result 31 for, 78 against, 0 abstained, 19 did not vote

MSP not voted

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-17598.1

Empowering Scotland’s Island Communities

Submitted by: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Result 46 for, 64 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP not voted

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 25 Amendment 91

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Result 28 for, 87 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 25 Amendment 135

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Result 48 for, 67 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motions

Questions

Questions Paul O'Kane has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question ref. S6W-37611

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 14 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authorities have the power to prescribe or restrict the type of vehicular traffic that can use a particular road."

Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37612

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 14 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it or its relevant agencies have the power to prescribe or restrict the type of vehicular traffic that can use a particular road."

Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37261

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any analysis of the appropriate level of payment for Funeral Support Payment since its introduction in 2019."

Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 16 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37262

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed, or plans to review, the eligibility criteria for Funeral Support Payment."

Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 14 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-36942

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for eligible NHS patients to receive the shingles vaccine."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-36943

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards operate their own shingles vaccination programme, and how it is ensuring equitable access to the vaccine across all NHS boards."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-36944

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent research suggesting that the shingles vaccine might reduce the risk of dementia by up to 20%, whether it plans to (a) expand or (b) accelerate the rollout of the vaccine."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37268

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any analysis on the cost per person to successfully transition an individual into employment through its Young Person's Guarantee, and, if so, what that cost was."

Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37265

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how many individuals were supported into employment through its Young Person's Guarantee in each of the last three years, and what this figure was as a proportion of all individuals supported through the programme in each of those years."

Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37258

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for (a) bereaved individuals under the age of 50 whose partner has died and (b) children of individuals where a parent has died under the age of 50."

Answered by Maree Todd on 13 May 2025

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