Paul O'Kane
Scottish Labour
MSP for West Scotland (Region) 2021 - present day
About Paul O'Kane
Contact details
Contact online
Post-d: Paul.O'Kane.msp@parliament.scot
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
Paul is a member of 2 committees
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Substitute Member
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Deputy Convener
Cross-party groups
Paul is a member of 24 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 Chronic Pain
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 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 Stroke
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Visual Impairment
Member
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 2 party roles
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Public Health
Scottish Labour
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Social Care
Scottish Labour
Previous roles
Paul had 1 previous role
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
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 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.
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 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]
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 ENABLE Scotland.
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 am a member of Community Union.
I am a patron of LGBT Labour.
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.
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee meeting date: 5 December 2022
National Care Service (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "Good afternoon. We have had useful opening comments on the general principles of the bill, but I want to ask about what is actually in the bill. It provides for the transfer of accountability from local authorities to the Scottish ministers…
Chamber meeting date: 1 December 2022
World AIDS Day 2022
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I am pleased and proud to have the opportunity to open the debate on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party as we mark world AIDS day 2022…
Chamber meeting date: 30 November 2022
National Care Service
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "Trade unions, local government, professional associations, care providers in all sectors, carers and front-line workers are calling for a pause to legislation, but they are also concerned that the legislation will not meet the aspirations of the Feeley review into social care. Therefore, can the minister explain why he has failed to introduce the…
Chamber meeting date: 30 November 2022
National Care Service
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "Trade unions, local government, professional associations, care providers in all sectors, carers and front-line workers are calling for a pause to legislation, but they are also concerned that the legislation will not meet the aspirations of the Feeley review into social care. Therefore, can the minister explain why he has failed to introduce the…
Chamber meeting date: 30 November 2022
Violence Against Women and Girls (Men’s Role in Eradication)
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab): "I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this vitally important debate as we mark the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence…
Votes
How Paul O'Kane has voted in Parliament
Find out how Paul O'Kane has voted recently.
COP27 Outcomes
Submitted by: Colin Smyth, South Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, December 5, 2022
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Result 56 for, 66 against, 0 abstained, 7 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
COP27 Outcomes
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 5, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Result 31 for, 90 against, 0 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
COP27 Outcomes
Submitted by: Màiri McAllan, Clydesdale, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 5, 2022
Supported by: Jenny Gilruth, Richard Lochhead, Michael Matheson, Lorna Slater
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Result 92 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 7 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Recognising the Vital Role Men Must Play in Challenging and Eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls
Submitted by: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Result 50 for, 68 against, 0 abstained, 11 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Recognising the Vital Role Men Must Play in Challenging and Eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls
Submitted by: Pam Gosal, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Supported by: Douglas Lumsden
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Result 48 for, 66 against, 0 abstained, 15 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Motions
Motions made by Paul O'Kane in Parliament
Find out what motions Paul O'Kane has submitted recently.
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.
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 23 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make additional resources available to support the NHS Gluten-free Food Service."
Answered by Maree Todd on 5 December 2022
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 23 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to people with coeliac disease to assist with the purchase of essential gluten-free food products."
Answered by Maree Todd on 5 December 2022
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether low-income families that are comprised of children in (a) kinship care and (b) foster care are eligible for the new Scottish Child Payment."
Answered by Ben Macpherson on 5 December 2022
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to ensure that there is a sufficient number of teachers at Dargavel Primary School, in Bishopton."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 5 December 2022
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what funding support it plans to make available to Renfrewshire Council to ensure that Dargavel Primary School, in Bishopton, can accommodate the reported larger than estimated school roll."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 5 December 2022
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will be represented by any (a) Scottish Ministers, (b) elected politicians and (c) officials at the World Cup in Qatar."
Answered by Maree Todd on 5 December 2022
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Leader of Renfrewshire Council to address the reported issues surrounding the school roll at Dargavel Primary School, in Bishopton."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 1 December 2022
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government how Education Scotland plans to review Dargavel Primary School, in Bishopton, to monitor any impact of the reported miscalculation in the school roll on pupils’ learning experiences and attainment levels."
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 1 December 2022
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 23 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government how it works with people with lived experience to co-design its current policy regarding Changing Places toilets."
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 30 November 2022
Asked by: O'Kane, Paul, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 23 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated for the construction of new Changing Places toilets in the current parliamentary session."
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 30 November 2022