What is Parly?

PARLY is a public digital tool that lets you explore what national parliaments are talking about — and how they’re talking about it. Using official stenographic transcripts of debates, PARLY visualizes political discourse and makes it easier than ever to track how issues evolve in the political spotlight.

What Can You Discover?

Every parliamentary debate is a reflection of shifting political priorities. With PARLY, you can:

• Uncover Political Problems
  See what issues rise to the surface — from "housing" to "financial crisis" — and how often they’re addressed over time.
• Analyze Framing & Language
  How is a topic presented? Is the "climate crisis" framed as a global emergency or a technological opportunity? Track not just what is said, but how it’s said.
• Identify Dominant Discourses
  Which ideas, narratives, or ideologies shape the debate? With PARLY, you can explore the changing language of politics and what that reveals about power and priority.

How to Use PARLY

Getting started is simple:

• Search Terms: Type a term like housing or financial crisis. Spaces matter — so use quotes or precise wording like "Open Source".
• Combine Keywords: Use + to add results from different terms (e.g., Climate Crisis+Climate Change).
• Compare Keywords: Enter one term after another to display their results side-by-side.

Click the information icon next to the search bar to learn more about the underlying data.

Tailor Your Exploration

• Adjust the Timeline using the blue slider below the graph.
• Toggle between "Absolute" and "Relative" Hits:
  • Absolute: See raw counts of how often a term was mentioned each year.
  • Relative: View mentions as a proportion of all spoken words — useful to spot trends even as the number of debates shifts over time.
• Choose Match Type:
  • Exact Matches: See only exact uses of a term (e.g., “environment”).
  • Incl. Partial Matches: Includes variations (e.g., “environment” and “environmental”).

Share and Export

PARLY makes it easy to share your insights:

• Export your visual as a PNG or Social Media Post (for X and Facebook)
• Download the raw data behind the graph for deeper analysis.

Why use Parly?

Politics doesn’t just reflect reality — it defines what matters. PARLY helps make this visible.

With just a few clicks, you can track the evolution of debates, the rise and fall of issues, and the shifting language that defines political action. Whether you’re a researcher, journalist, student, or engaged citizen, PARLY opens up the democratic conversation.

We’ve also included a sample analysis from the Irish Parliament to show what’s possible. Try it yourself — type in a keyword, explore the patterns, and share what you find.

Ireland's recent history offers a compelling illustration of how national crises are reflected and constructed within parliamentary debates. By utilizing PARLY, one can trace the evolution of political discourse surrounding key issues such as the financial crisis, housing, and climate change.

1. The Financial Crisis (2008–2010): From Boom to Bailout

The global financial crisis of 2008 had a profound impact on Ireland, exposing vulnerabilities in its banking sector and leading to severe economic downturns. Parliamentary debates during this period were dominated by discussions on bank guarantees, austerity measures, and the establishment of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to manage toxic assets . Public discontent was palpable, culminating in mass protests, including a significant demonstration in  Dublin in February 2009 .oireachtas.ieThe Guardian

2. The Housing Crisis (Post-2013): A Deepening Emergency

Starting around 2013, Ireland began experiencing a severe housing crisis characterized by skyrocketing rents, housing shortages, and increasing homelessness. Parliamentary debates shifted focus to address these issues, with opposition parties and civil society groups, such as the "Raise the Roof" campaign, advocating for stronger tenant protections and increased social housing investment . Despite government efforts, critiques persisted regarding the adequacy and direction of housing policies .Taylor & Francis OnlineThe Irish SunThe Irish Sun

3. Migration Crisis (2015–2016): Only isolated impact

At the height of the European refugee crisis, Ireland’s debates acknowledged the humanitarian situation, leading to the creation of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. However, geographic isolation meant Ireland experienced relatively low direct impact. Parliamentary discourse focused on limited resettlement commitments (up to 4,000 people), and lacked the urgency seen in other EU states. oireachtas.ie+1 oireachtas.ie+1oireachtas.ie

3. Climate Crisis (2019 Onwards): From Change to Emergency

While climate change had been a topic of discussion, it wasn't until 2019 that it gained significant prominence in Irish parliamentary debates. This shift was influenced by the Citizens' Assembly's recommendations and the subsequent cross-party consensus on the need for urgent climate action. The terminology evolved from "climate change" to "climate crisis," reflecting a heightened sense of urgency and commitment to environmental policies. Climate Home News

Migration As A Topic to Watch

Unlike 2015, by 2025 Ireland faced increased asylum applications and rising public concern. The introduction of the International Protection Bill 2025 and polarized public discourse brought migration back into the spotlight, this time as a national-level challenge requiring structural response.