Leaders’ Questions – Air-Sea Rescue Contract The Air-sea rescue contract is worth €600 million over a ten-year period. Rather than funding a foreign private helicopter company, I believe we should properly invest in the Irish Air Corps to provide this service instead. This would ensure ...

In the Dáil, I raised a number of important issues in relation to Brexit. In less than 50 days Britain is leaving the EU, whether there is a deal in place or not, and we are going to be facing a major shock to our trade relations with our nearest neighbour. We must act now to reduce the impact on ...

In the Dáil, I spoke about the Finance Bill 2020. I focused on the provision relating to the Naval Service Sea-Going Personnel tax credit. I raised the following points with the Minster. Is this tax credit going to be continued to be rolled over into the future of is it just for a ...

I raised a number of issues relating to the Security & Defence aspects of Budget 2021 including - Increase in Garda numbers with the intake of 620 new trainees and a big investment in the vehicle fleet. Garda Infrastructure - need to invest from a refurbishment and new build ...

In the Dáil this week, I raised a number of issues relating to the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendments) Bill 2020. I welcome and support these amendments to what I consider, an important piece of legislation. As the unambiguous and irrefutable nature of financial ...

In the Dáil, I asked the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, about the possibility of providing additional financial supports for Kildare, Laois and Offaly to support businesses following the local restrictions that were imposed in the three counties recently.  

 I spoke to the Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney about a number of immediate issues facing the Defence Forces. Removing the requirement for a person to purchase their discharge from the Defence Forces following line service. Improving sea-going pay for the Naval Service. ...

I spoke to the Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney about a number of issues facing the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF). I suggested the following amendments to the Defence Bill 2020 - Allow members of the RDF to serve overseas, particularly in niche operational roles like medical and ...

In the Dáil, I spoke in relation to the Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018, which I am very much in favour of. This Bill was introduced two years ago and steered through the Seanad by former Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh and aims to make it easier to prosecute those who knowingly give false ...

This afternoon in the Dáil, I got the opportunity to raise the following questions with the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, in relation to COVID-19: ✅ How many community testing facilities do we have currently operational in the country? ✅ Are we still using the International Laboratory ...

This afternoon in the Dáil, I raised various issues with the Minister for Education and Skills, Norma Foley. ✅ The importance of the school building programme from a post-primary point of view, particularly in Kildare South. Coláiste Íosagáin in Portarlington is creeking at the seams, St. Paul’s ...

I got the opportunity to question the Minister for Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport, Eamon Ryan. I questioned the Minister in relation to: ✅ The ability Ireland has to prevent and protect itself from cyberattack. ✅ The National Cyber Security Strategy and the capacity ...