In the Dáil this week, I asked the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar if the Government would consider acquiring a strategic airlift aircraft for the Defence Forces. I have previously raised this issue with the Tánaiste. Military air transport is a real weakness for Ireland. Throughout the pandemic ...

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 ...

In the Dáil this week speaking in relation to Insurance Fraud. The Insurance crisis here in Ireland is a cross-cutting issue affecting schools, crèches, public amenities and small businesses right across the country. This Bill is not just about prosecution but rather about prevention and ...

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 ...

I spoke in the Dáil this week about the Land Development Agency Bill 2021. This Bill will accelerate the rollout of housing across the country which will ease the current housing pressure. I focused in particular on two former Military Barracks - Devoy Barracks, Naas and Columb Barracks, ...

In the Dáil this month, I spoke about Aer Lingus. The company is under massive financial liquidity stress at the moment. We must provide meaningful support and financial intervention for our national carrier. The Irish State needs a strategic aircraft to move our people around, evacuate ...

The staff in testing centres across the country have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, especially staff in the Punchestown testing centre in Co. Kildare. Many of these workers are unpaid volunteers who give their time to work in the centres, putting their own lives at risk for the ...

In the Dáil, I spoke to the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar in relation to the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. As of today, more than 77,000 people have now been vaccinated in Ireland, bringing us above the EU average. However, changes need to be made to improve the rollout of the vaccine especially in ...

I spoke in the Dáil this week on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. The treaty was a watershed moment in human history which limited the spread of nuclear weapons to nine nation states. With the new US President and a seat on the UN Security Council, ...

The Regional Group of TDs secured cross-party support for their motion on Mental Health today. Referrals for mental health services have significantly increased during the pandemic. The pandemic continues to have a profound impact on people; increasing social isolation, loneliness, anxiety, ...

Today the Regional Group TDs have brought forward a motion on mental health to the floor of Dáil Éireann, which I am pleased has been accepted by the government. Mental health is such an important issue which requires absolute focus and commitment to solving# the issues that we have. We ...