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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 21 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions

Member

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

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Cancer

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Care Leavers

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Carers

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Changing Places Toilets

Convener

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 Health Inequalities

Co-Convener

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 Lung Health

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Muscular Dystrophy

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Palliative Care

Deputy 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 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 Social Care

Scottish Labour

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Public Health

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

No registrable interests

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

I am a member of LGBT Labour Scotland.

I am a member of Community Union.

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

I am a patron of LGBT Labour.

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

I am a member of ENABLE Scotland.

I am a member of GMB Union.

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: 23 May 2023

Retired Carers (Support)

2. Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to retired carers. (S6T-01394)"

Chamber meeting date: 23 May 2023

East Renfrewshire Good Causes

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I am grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate, and I thank Jackson Carlaw for bringing the issue to the chamber…

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee meeting date: 23 May 2023

Minimum Core Obligations

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "We have touched on some of this already. I am particularly interested in how we monitor and scrutinise the minimum core obligations and in what the Parliament’s role would be in that. Is there a role for the Parliament…

Chamber meeting date: 11 May 2023

Social Security Scotland

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "We have heard again from the cabinet secretary that dignity, fairness and respect are the guiding principles of Social Security Scotland, just as we did when she spoke of the bill to create the agency in 2019…

Votes

How Paul O'Kane has voted in Parliament

Find out how Paul O'Kane has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-09126.3

Ending Violence in Scottish Schools

Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Result 93 for, 18 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-09107.1

Scottish Connections Framework

Submitted by: Neil Bibby, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 22, 2023

Supported by: Foysol Choudhury, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Result 49 for, 64 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-09014.2

Securing a Sustainable Food Supply for Scotland

Submitted by: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Mercedes Villalba
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 18, 2023

Result 83 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-09014.1

Securing a Sustainable Food Supply for Scotland

Submitted by: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 18, 2023

Result 28 for, 83 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-09014.3

Securing a Sustainable Food Supply for Scotland

Submitted by: Beatrice Wishart, Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 18, 2023

Result 49 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 18 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. S6O-02321

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 May 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on phase 3 of the learning estate investment programme, including in relation to the planned date for the announcement of the successful projects."

Taken in the Chamber on 1 June 2023

Question ref. S6T-01394

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22 May 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to retired carers."

Taken in the Chamber on 23 May 2023

Question ref. S6W-18065

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 18 May 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on tackling social isolation and loneliness in (a) 2021-22 and (b) 2022-23."

Answer expected on 5 June 2023

Question ref. S6W-18063

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 18 May 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how many programmes it is providing funding to charities to deliver in the financial year 2023-24, and how many of these have yet to have final confirmation of funding."

Answer expected on 5 June 2023

Question ref. S6W-18064

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 18 May 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how much it estimates it will spend on tackling social isolation and loneliness over the current parliamentary session."

Answer expected on 5 June 2023

Question ref. S6W-17640

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 3 May 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to a comprehensive audit of Social Security Scotland’s (a) services, (b) communications and (c) training, to ensure that all aspects of its work are trauma-informed and support the mental health and wellbeing of its clients."

Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 15 May 2023

Question ref. S6W-17642

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 3 May 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government whether the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Delivery Plan will include a commitment to ensure that Social Security Scotland is a fully trauma-informed organisation."

Answered by Maree Todd on 15 May 2023

Question ref. S6W-17641

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11 May 2023

Awaiting answer

Question ref. S6W-15603

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 3 March 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been allocated for the redesign of urgent care throughout the current parliamentary session."

Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 March 2023

Question ref. S6W-15602

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 3 March 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has invested in new diagnostic techniques in the current parliamentary session."

Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 March 2023

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