Results 1-20 of 193 for speaker:Catherine Callaghan

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: I thank the lieutenant colonels for attending. Given the value of the witnesses' expertise, I will concentrate on the questions I have previously asked. This is my third time in the committee asking these questions. My questions focus on recruitment, retention and looking after our veterans in terms of issues such as pay and conditions. My first question relates to recruitment and cadet...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: I apologise for interrupting. That was going to be my next question relating to retention, specifically the post-2013 environment. Do the witnesses think they would hold on to more personnel in the Defence Forces if there was a regularisation of pre-2013 and post-2013? Does they have any numbers?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: A total of 78% said they could not stay, even if they wanted to stay.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: Is that specifically to do with the pension arrangements?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: They need to retire at 62 but they do not get the pension until they are 66. There is a four year gap there.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: Could there be a case for having a special provision for uniform services in that regard? Would that help? Has that been considered?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: That would be a welcome thing. I have questions on the topic of retention and the service commitment scheme. I mentioned at the committee last night about the benefit of extending that to technical personnel. The Air Corps was mentioned at one of our previous committees and for some reason, 11 July sticks in mind. I do not know if the officers who are involved in it have until tomorrow if...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: We have the EU Presidency next year.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: I hope we learn from this and credit to the Tánaiste for doing that.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: I am very lucky to represent Carlow-Kilkenny and we have our military barracks there, Stephens Barracks, in Kilkenny. The medical aid post, MAP, there needs to be moved. It is in Boyd House. It is somewhat small. It might have been fine in the seventies and eighties but there is a desire to move it to another building on the barracks grounds, the old church. Does RACO have a role in...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: I was going to mention nurses.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: There seems to be a focus, quite rightly, on investing in facilities and equipment. We can have all of those lovely things but if we are not properly investing in our personnel, everything else is for nothing. I will keep my focus in this committee on personnel. I thank the witnesses for their contributions and their expertise.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: The programme for Government has many commendable commitments to support apprentices which, as a former apprentice myself, I welcome. Today, I wish to discuss the disparity in off-the-job training allowances that are currently being paid to metal fabrication apprentices. If two metal fabrication apprentices are doing the exact same training but one is working for a company that is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Diplomatic Representation (9 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: 5. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of military attachés from foreign armed forces accredited to Ireland; the number that are military officers; the number that are civilian; when Ireland’s first military attaché will be accredited abroad; the length of time the project to plan for this proposal has been in train; if there are barriers to...

Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (8 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: I welcome the Minister and his officials. It is important to note that in order to participate a division in committee, members must be physically present, in other words, they cannot vote from a remote location.

Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (8 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: Amendments Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, and 10 to 13, inclusive are related and may be discussed together.

Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (8 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: Before I go to the Minister, would anybody else like to contribute? Deputy Ward has already indicated. Then I will call on Deputy Brabazon and Deputy Gannon.

Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (8 Jul 2025)

Catherine Callaghan: Before I return to the Minister, does any member of the committee wish to speak again?