Good week for Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces. Better healthcare for enlisted personnel. Renovation of homes in barracks for military families. 3rd Airbus C295 for airlift (first time in the history of the State) Proper order too. They have our front- we should have ...

This afternoon in the Dáil Deputy Cathal Berry TD spoke to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin about the housing crisis in Co. Kildare, with over 6,500 people on the social housing waiting list. Deputy Berry noted that ‘According to the Department of Defence, there are 62 ...

This is a long overdue measure that I have been advocating for for years so I very much welcome it. Defence Force personnel regularly sustain injuries due to the nature of the physical and demanding work they do .. the least any employers can do is ensure reliable access to medical treatment for ...

Alongside current recruitment pathways, service personnel should also be able to seamlessly transition between Regular & Reserve- in both directions. This happens in every other EU country. The war in Europe is likely to get worse this year. What exactly are we waiting for?!? ...

Radio interview on RTÉ’s Late Debate this week. I spoke about the factors forcing people to leave the Defence Forces and the urgent need for a full-time, stand-alone Minister for Defence. Listen to the full interview here https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22204122/

Radio Interview on RTÉ Radio 1 recently in relation to the provision of non-lethal air defence systems from Ireland to Ukraine. These non-lethal air defence systems could be used to intercept unmanned drones and missiles, preventing similar atrocities that happened over the weekend and help ...

Huge thanks to the Irish Air Corps for facilitating the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs & Defence Committee’s visit to Baldonnel. Superb, but sobering briefings. Candour very much appreciated. Ireland’s lack of air capability is a major national strategic risk. We need to fix this.

Statement on the 2023 Defence Budget Notwithstanding the wording of yesterday’s budget document, senior Government Ministers have since clarified that the stated €67m (6%) increase in the 2023 Defence budget does not include an allocation for the National Pay Deal “Building Momentum” currently ...

Good to speak to Bryan Dobson on RTÉ Radio One recently about the lack of independent airlift capability in Ireland. This time last year, Irish troops had to hitchhike with other European armies to evacuate Irish citizens from Kabul. Also, during the pandemic, Ireland had no means to transport ...

Good to speak to Clem Ryan on KFM today in relation to the recent announcement of a planned increase in investment in the Defence Forces. To listen back to the radio interview, click here.

Not a single soldier, sailor or flight crew in the Defence Forces has received the €1,000 pandemic bonus yet. I highlighted this with Minister McGrath in the Dáil this week so that it can be paid to members of the Defence Forces as soon as possible. Click here to watch Cathal Berry TD's ...

‘Ireland is hugely vulnerable and exposed’ - Radio interview this morning on Newstalk to discuss Irish defence capabilities and the significant lack of funding and resources available to our military. To listen back to the interview, click here.