Pictured are Sgt Mick Brogan, Dr Cathal Berry, TD (a former Army officer) and retired RSM John Murray volunteering at the Punchestown Vaccination and Testing Centre this week. Over 1,650 people were due to be vaccinated at the centre on Monday. Deputy Berry remarked that “it’s fantastic to be involved in the ...
In the Dáil this afternoon, speaking in relation to various issues affecting the Irish Naval Service - Our search and rescue capability - We should have nine naval ships at sea, but we only have seven. Two are at anchor in the port in Cork as we do not have the sailors to man them. Our search ...
Radio interview with Kieran Cuddihy on Newstalk this week to discuss the retention crisis in Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces
Independent Kildare South TD Cathal Berry has asked Taoiseach Micheál Martin for additional funding for both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána, to refurbish Garda stations and military barracks all over the country and upgrade both the Garda College in Templemore and the Military College in the Curragh Camp. ...
€915m of EU grants on the way to Ireland for decarbonisation, digitalisation & resilience. Ideal opportunity to address longstanding infrastructural deficits in our military & police forces.
This week in the Dáil, I spoke to Minister Simon Coveney in relation to the provision of the Search and Rescue (SAR) Service. We should identify what component of the service the Air Corps can look after and then task and resource it accordingly. Any part of the service that cannot be provided by the Air Corps ...
Deputy Cathal Berry, TD for Kildare South, highlighted various issues in the Dáil this week in relation to the Curragh Camp, such as housing and derelict buildings, with Minister for Defence Simon Coveney. Deputy Berry said that “anyone who has lived or worked in ...
Dáil debate this week on maritime security. Our sailors protect us, now we must protect them. The time for words is over; the time for action has come.
The Commission on the Defence Forces was before the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee this afternoon. I raised the following points with Chair Aidan O’Driscoll - The need for overtime to be paid to military personnel for rostered duties Paying at least the national minimum wage to serving ...
I am a Veteran - Delighted to join ONE Ireland (Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel) with their new campaign, highlighting the many skilled and diverse group of veterans in Ireland & showcasing members who are making a difference in their communities and across Irish and international society. ...
The Reserve Defence Forces would have been great for contact tracing, testing and so many other tasks. In particular, they should have been mobilised to augment their PDF colleagues by doing barrack duties. It certainly is a missed opportunity that they have not been called on to assist throughout the Covid-19 ...
I spoke in the Dáil today with Taoiseach, Micheál Martin and raised a number of issues relating to the Defence Forces. 🔹 I thanked the Taoiseach for his personal intervention to ensure that all peacekeeping troops receive the Covid-19 vaccine prior to deploying on a 6-month tour of duty. 🔹 I raised the Defence ...
