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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 18 cross-party groups

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

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 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 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 September 2021 - 25 April 2023

Equalities Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Substitute Member

22 June 2021 - 25 April 2023

Health Social Care and Sport Committee

Deputy Convener

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

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 ENABLE 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 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: 5 December 2023

Disability Equality and Human Rights

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "Does the minister recognise the significant challenges in relation to delays in the administration of ADP and the challenging wait times to get through to Social Security Scotland to get the support and advice that people need?"

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee meeting date: 5 December 2023

Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I am trying to understand why we are in the position of having to amend the bill at stage 2. The committee does not have the detail on that and nor do the Lord President and the senators of the College of Justice…

Chamber meeting date: 30 November 2023

Terminally Ill People and Their Carers (Support)

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I was pleased to lead the members’ business debate on the dying in the margins report, which Ruth Maguire referenced. Last week, there was the publication of the state of caring report for 2023, which shows that there are gaps…

Social Justice and Social Security Committee meeting date: 30 November 2023

Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Bill: Stage 1

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I will continue from where Katy Clark left off. The committee has heard significant criticisms of IIDB. For example, Ian Tasker told the committee that it is “no longer fit for purpose”…

Chamber meeting date: 29 November 2023

Gender-based Violence

Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I am pleased to follow Ben Macpherson in the debate…

Votes

How Paul O'Kane has voted in Parliament

Find out how Paul O'Kane has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-11573

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill (Reconsideration)

Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Supported by: Paul McLennan, Emma Roddick
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, December 7, 2023

Result 117 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-11546

Fiscal Framework Review

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 4, 2023

Supported by: George Adam, Tom Arthur, Joe FitzPatrick
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Result 63 for, 56 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-11546.1

Fiscal Framework Review

Submitted by: Ash Regan, Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Result 1 for, 119 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-11546.2

Fiscal Framework Review

Submitted by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Result 56 for, 64 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-11546.3

Fiscal Framework Review

Submitted by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Result 25 for, 95 against, 0 abstained, 9 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-23338

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what the total amount allocated to the Home Heating Support Fund was for 2023-24."

Answer expected on 14 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23337

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the Home Heating Support Fund has been spent in the current year to date."

Answer expected on 14 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23335

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what the most common reasons are for applications to the Home Heating Support Fund being rejected."

Answer expected on 14 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23339

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Home Heating Support Fund, what the total number of applications (a) made and (b) rejected has been in 2023-24 to date."

Answer expected on 14 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23336

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government, in each of the last five years, how much money was allocated to the Home Heating Support Fund, and how much of the fund was spent by the time the fund closed for new applications."

Answer expected on 14 December 2023

Question ref. S6O-02787

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 16 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what mental health support it has in place for SPCB and MSP staff, and what work it has done to promote available resources."

Answered by Jackson Carlaw (on Behalf of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body) on 23 November 2023

Question ref. S6W-22748

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 7 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-06439 by Shona Robison on 10 March 2022, what the current status is of its work on adopting a formal definition of Islamophobia; whether it will commit to adopting the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims' definition of Islamophobia, and, if so, within what timeframe."

Answered by Siobhian Brown on 21 November 2023

Question ref. S6O-02751

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 15 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reportedly stagnant level of economic growth."

Taken in the Chamber on 22 November 2023

Question ref. S6W-22408

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 October 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how many active working groups there currently are that fall under the remit of the Social Justice portfolio."

Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 7 November 2023

Question ref. S6O-02655

Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 October 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its long-term labour market strategy, what steps it is taking to address any skills shortages affecting the economy."

Taken in the Chamber on 1 November 2023

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