Gerard P. Craughwell
Labour Panel · Independent · Ireland
“I omitted to formally congratulate the Leader yesterday on his elevation. I assume there will be bonfires all over Tipperary as he arrives home this weekend. I ask him to please forgive me for not officially congratulating him. I will say a few words at the start at our Presidency of the European Union.”
“It sends a confused and troubling message about hierarchy, authority, respect and the place of the Defence Forces within our nation's life. This matters.”
“The decision to have the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, a civil servant, however reputable, take the salute from newly commissioned officers before handing them their commission represents a deeply inappropriate blurring of roles. Let us be clear.”
“I say to the 64th naval cadet class in their achievement that they remain significant, their commitment remains admirable and their future responsibilities remain vital.”
“It is simply unacceptable that not one Minister or Minister of State of the 38 available was present to officiate at the commissioning of new officers into the Naval Service. I remind colleagues that this is not a minor diary clash or an administrative oversight; it is a profound signal of disregard for the State's most loyal servants.”
“It is an honour for me to extend my congratulations to the 64th naval cadet class on their commissioning into the Naval Service. Their commissioning should be a moment of unambiguous pride for them, their families and the State they have chosen to serve.”
The complete record
Every one of 631 lines we hold for Gerard P. Craughwell, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 7 of 13.
“The point I am trying to make here is that we cannot have a situation where we ease up. The Minister mentioned earlier that he was all for free speech. I am all for free speech, too. I heard someone refer to social media earlier. On the issue of free speech on social media, we have no recourse whatsoever. People can say anything want. In a recent statement on social media, somebody said that I was a person who supported child abuse. I have no reaction and no action against that person because I do not know who they are and I have no action against the organisation that allows it to be published on its website. Yet, it is widely read. We need to raise the bar, not to make it easier under any circumstances. We need to make it extremely difficult to write an article that will identify an individual.”
“I am deeply concerned by what I see here. Section 26(3) states: "The failure or refusal of a plaintiff to respond to attempts by or on behalf of the defendant, to elicit the plaintiff’s version". If somebody contacts you looking for an answer to something and you refuse to provide it, you are protected in the 2009 Act. The individual is protected. To quote section 26 again: ... the plaintiff’s version of events, shall not- ( a ) constitute or imply consent to the publication of the statement, or ( b ) entitle the court to draw any inference therefrom. The last part of this section states: "court" means, in relation to a defamation action brought in the High Court, the jury, if the High Court is sitting with a jury; "defamation action" does not include an application for a declaration order.”
“Publishing stories in good faith is something I do not see a lot of lately. The article published today does not strike me as being in good faith, in the first instance. Section 26 also states: "... in the course of, or for the purpose of, the discussion of a subject of public interest, the discussion of which was for the public benefit". Stories like these are typically published about high-profile people, whether they are Members of the Oireachtas or entities outside the Oireachtas. We need an extremely high bar. We cannot have a situation where people's names can be used based on some accusation made by person A about person B, which allows a media entity to then publish a story naming person B and being exempt from defamation laws purely because it was only reporting in the public interest what was heard.”
“If we look in one of today's newspapers, there is an article based on innuendo and based on "dúirt bean liom go ndúirt bean léi", no names mentioned, no pack drill. We are seeing this all the time and it is totally unacceptable. We are told in the article that the newspaper could not print the name because of defamation laws. As in all of these things, the newspaper probably left enough breadcrumbs in the article to lead to two or three people in this House or the Lower House. It is simply unacceptable that we are taking away the safeguards that are included in section 26 of the 2009 Act. I will examine some of those safeguards, if I may. For the purposes of the Act, one must be able to show that the statement in respect of which an action was brought was published "in good faith".”
“As the Cathaoirleach knows, I do not hear him all the time either. I was trying to adjust my hearing to hear what was going on. Section 11 amends section 26 of the principal Act. In looking at this amending section, it strikes me that all of the safeguards that were included in the 2009 Act, which was introduced by my colleague Senator McDowell, are gone. It strikes me that this amendment is highly favourable to the media. Anybody who wants to take the good name of a person can simply base it on an allegation between two people. A media observer hears it and can then go and write a story. They are perfectly cleared provided they can wreak what is called "the public interest". Where does the public interest start and stop?”
“If we want to stay that way, we have to do something about it. I request that the Tánaiste come before the House - once he has survived the motion of no-confidence, which I have no doubt he will - for a debate on how we develop going forward. There are green shoots within the Defence Forces. Things are beginning to change. What we need to do is accelerate that as best we can. If the Leader could do something about that, I would appreciate it.”
“We are great at cutting the backs off one another every now and then, but, by God, when we come together, we are a wonderful organisation. I will always be grateful for that. There has been a lot of talk about the €1.49 billion that has gone into defence. We are a country roughly the same size as Finland. Our populations and economies are also roughly the same size. Finland is spending €6.7 billion on defence; we are spending €1.49 billion. We are coming into the Presidency of the EU. Michéal Martin has said we are going to have to call on European neighbours to help us to secure the country during our Presidency. For a proud, sovereign nation, that is totally unacceptable. We want to carve a route for ourselves. Many people talk about neutrality, but this country is actually militarily non-aligned.”
“I hope something happens. Unlike any other sort of cancer, head and neck cancer disfigures your face. It leaves you with a permanent mark for the rest of your life. That mark is there for everybody to see. I recall being in a shop with Rebecca on one occasion. She was standing at the counter waiting to buy something and I was browsing and looking for something. The next thing I heard was the guy behind the counter saying to her, "Oh Christ, you're not one of them that cuts yourself are you?" Why did he ask that? It is because she has a scar under her neck. Rebecca, being a feisty woman, fairly explained to him what it was all about. I again thank colleagues. Senator Nelson Murray made a point about Simon Harris a few moments ago.”
“Last week, the House debated a motion on head and neck cancer. Much of what was in that motion revolved around my daughter Rebecca's experience. Colleagues from within the House and the Government supported the motion. Somehow or other, however, a story seems to have developed around the House to the effect that my daughter is very unwell. She is not. Rebecca has a wonderful life when she is well, but like all cancer patients, when she is not well, she has a pretty miserable time. She has been in intensive care on a number of occasions when we nearly lost her but she has come back each time. The importance point here is that what we were looking for via the motion was a small amount of money to allow reconstructive work to take place in dental hospitals in Dublin, Galway and Cork. It was wonderful to have the support of colleagues here.”
“I do not know if it is still provided by Huawei. If it is, where did the chips come from and who is watching us? Watch the watchers, that is why I say, so I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on that if he can.”
“I read today is that Singapore has organised that small and medium-sized industries will have free cybersecurity protection for a year. What are we doing about cyber protection within the SME sector? In the next short period, small and medium-sized industries in this country will be responsible for adherence to the EU Cyber Resilience Act, the NIS2 directive, the Digital Operational Resilience Act, DORA, and the GDPR. There is so much coming through. Board members can be struck off for life for failing to meet their requirements and organisations can be fined. Imagine being a manufacturing company today. You have to manufacture goods that will be cyber-resilient for life. That means re-engineering and redesigning. It involves where you are getting your chips from if it is based on chip technology. We have CCTV in this House.”
“I would like a debate on Iran. We are in election mode. The way we deal with elections here and the way they are dealt with in Iran are very different. I visited Iran with a delegation from this House and I can say that the people are just like us. They drink coffee, laugh, joke and enjoy life, but if you come the wrong side of the regime, they hang you. In 14 months, 1,850 people have been hanged. The way they hang them is horrendous. They put a noose around your neck and they lift you up and allow you to strangulate rather than a drop hang, so it is not just hanging, it is absolute brutality. They are hanging up to nine people per day so we need to establish what Ireland's position on this brutal regime is. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on that if he can.”
“As Senator Clonan said, if that money is not given, we will be back looking for it in six, seven, eight or nine months. It is not huge money. I thank the Minister of State for staying longer and the Cathaoirleach for being generous in giving time to wrap up the debate. I thank the people in the Gallery so much for being here. Their presence shows massive solidarity with the team responsible for the treatment of head and neck cancers at Dublin Dental University Hospital. The chairman, chief executive officer and all the senior staff are here. I am humbled by their attendance.”
“I would get ticked off over that. I can say that these people work on a shoestring. They commit themselves morning, noon and night to their patients. Twice in the past three years, my beautiful daughter has been in intensive care, totally unconscious, and we did not whether she would survive because of difficulties swallowing, which is part of oral cancer. She is still here. When she is recovering in intensive care and we go in to visit and ask how she is, she tells us she is planning a holiday in Lanzarote. That is the way it goes. I thank her employers, Allied Irish Banks, for standing with her, looking after her and keeping her on the staff over the years. Most of all, I thank the people in the Gallery, who are there all the time, every time. An allocation of €556,000 next Monday morning is not a big ask.”
“On Monday morning, the chairman and CEO of the dental hospital, who are here, can get a telephone call from the HSE saying that it has just signed a cheque for €556,000 and that it will work with them from now on to ensure funding is adequate. The €4.2 million is being sought in order to cut down on travel. Most of us who are here have family members who know what it is like to suffer from cancer and the treatment thereof. The treatment is sometimes worse than the goddamn condition. Expecting people to travel from the west of Ireland to Dublin, and from the south of Ireland to Dublin, for treatment is not on. We must find the €4.2 million urgently. I have seen the people in Dublin Dental University Hospital. I have seen Rebecca's surgeon. I would name them but it is inappropriate to name people in the House.”
“Today somebody referred to me as being brave, but I can tell the House that during the recovery period from the surgery I ran out the door while Rebecca and her mother absolutely went head on because she had to have liquidated food while she was recovering. I could not take it. Rebecca was resistant, but Helen was determined that she would eat. Between the two of them she travelled the recovery route. Today we are here about the recovery and restoration, and restoring somebody as much as you possibly can. We are talking about approximately €556,000 today. It is loose change in the back pocket of the Department of Health, or of the HSE.”
“On the morning we brought her into the theatre, the surgeon advised my wife and me to speak to her now, because she might never speak again. I cannot tell you the impact that had. She came out of surgery totally unrecognisable because of the nature of the surgery. I would do the late evenings and my wife would do the days. Helen would be with her all day every day and woe betide anybody who would not look after her. I remember sitting one night in the hospital feeling desperately sorry for myself and the next thing I heard this croaky voice saying, "What's your problem; I'm the one who had the surgery." I looked up and there was my beautiful daughter, and she gave me stick that night. We have heard about mortality rates, but this was 26 years ago. I thank the people sitting in the Gallery, who were beside her at every turn.”
“I know the Minister of State has a meeting to go to and deferred that to be here. I thank her for that. Somewhere in Ireland today, tomorrow or next week a family will get the same message we got. I remember Rebecca was 19 at the time and her maxillofacial surgeon did not want to tell her what the diagnosis was after the biopsy. He rang me. I went home to Helen, my wife, and said we had to go to see the surgeon. We knew the news was bad. When Rebecca heard us whispering, she came in and said, "I am over 18, and whatever news I have to get, I will get it myself." I know her surgeon will tell you she is a feisty woman when she decides to take things on. We went and got the diagnosis. We brought her to St. James's Hospital for surgery.”
“Our survival rates, though improving, remain below Sweden's benchmark. These gaps are not just numbers, they represent lives. They represent outcomes and the urgency for reform. If we aspire to match the best, we must invest in faster assessment and treatment, better infrastructure and policies that prioritise timely access to care, because every patient deserves the best chance, not just the best intentions. I thank the Minister of State for taking the time to come here today. I look forward to her response.”
“I feel like we are a team – the Craughwells and the Dublin Dental University Hospital – united on a mission to save every bit of Rebecca's smile and her beauty. The staff who are sitting here today will never truly know how deeply my family appreciate them and their support. It is nearly 30 years since we first met the people in the hospital and they have been our lifeline. When it comes to head and neck cancer care across Europe, the contrast between countries is striking. Sweden stands out as a leader. Patients there begin treatment within weeks of diagnosis. Survival rates are among the highest in Europe and access to cutting-edge therapies is swift and widespread. Ireland, while making great progress still faces challenges. Treatment delays are more common and access to innovative medicine is slower.”
“The follow-up is not a single moment; it is a relentless series of appointments, fillings, procedures, and every imaginable effort to save her teeth, but despite it all, by the age of 30 she had lost them. It was not just the surgeries; it was heartbreaking to watch her fight to preserve not only her smile but her jaw, which was threatened by osteoradionecrosis. Through it all, her dentist stood beside her, just as devastated, just as determined. They were not just treating her, they were fighting to save her. The Dublin Dental University Hospital has been a lifeline for us. They have never sugar-coated the truth, but they have always stood with us – with me, Rebecca and my wife Helen. My wife Helen and Rebecca took the brunt of it. I was privileged insofar as I could walk away every day and work and leave it behind me.”
“This Private Members' motion seeks that the Minister would enshrine in law the provision of comprehensive dental oncology services as a core component of cancer care. Legislative action and immediate investment are essential to ensure timely, safe and equitable treatment for all patients, aligning Ireland with best practice international standards and preventing avoidable harm. I ask this House to support the motion, not just for my daughter Rebecca, but for every patient who deserves better. Let us act now with compassion and conviction to build a system that truly cares. The system is the cause of its own behaviour to a large extent. Rebecca was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue at just 19. No one prepares for what comes after.”
“Both are acts of survival, but each tells a different story of resilience. However, as dental oncology services take place in primary care, no national funding mechanism is in place to support these patients on a countrywide basis. I raised the funding issue in a Commencement matter in February 2024. I revealed that the national oral health office cut the budget by €500,000. This was done without consulting key stakeholders like the Dublin Dental University Hospital, the HSE or the national cancer control programme. Ireland's current approach to dental oncology care is critically underfunded, under-resourced and unsafe. It is failing to meet the needs of patients, many of whom face delayed, inequitable and inadequate treatment during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.”
“The national cancer control programme, the HSE Dublin and South-East have been key supporters of dental oncology, with multiple engagement over six years and vital backing for initial head and neck cancer funding. Previously, Government support for head and neck cancer ended at abolition, with no national reconstruction provision, despite reconstruction being as essential as it is in breast cancer. Breast cancer reconstruction often focuses on restoring the form and femininity, rebuilding the chest to reflect identity and symmetry. In contrast, head and neck cancer reconstruction is a fight to reclaim function, speech, swallowing and facial recognition. While one journey is about reshaping the silhouette, the other is about rebuilding the very tools of human connection.”
“The hardest part is not the treatment, it is what follows – lost speech, altered appearance, altered speech and the fear of being forgotten in an overstretched system. This motion urges statutory recognition of dental oncology care as part of cancer treatment, mandating timely access, adequate staffing, regional equity, structured rehabilitation and national oversight, so surviving cancer does not mean suffering in silence. We seek an immediate €556,000 increase in the Dublin Dental University Hospital, raising its annual budget to €1.3 million. In addition, €4.2 million is required in national funding to expand dental oncology services across north Dublin, Cork and Galway. The sum of €4.2 million I speak of only covers staffing, excluding the vital infrastructure needed to meet the rising patient demand.”
“Alarmingly, 43% of patients present without a regular dentist and are severely limited in terms of access to essential post-treatment care. Currently, 181 patients are awaiting post-radiography review, with some delays extending up to 14 months. Young patients often have a better prognosis but face lifelong side effects. Many start radiotherapy without proper dental clearance, risking complications like osteoradionecrosis and radiation caries. Osteoradionecrosis, as my daughter Rebecca will tell you, is a painful incurable condition of the jawbone caused by radiation requiring complex ongoing care and repeated surgeries that severely strain patients' physical and emotional being. This conditions hinders gentle rehabilitation, making implants or dentures difficult and severely impacts nutrition, speech, appearance and well-being.”
“This trend represents a significant national health issue, driven by the increased prevalence of HPV. Currently, HPV-related cases account for approximately 25% of pre-radiation dental referrals, with that figure projected to surge to 66% by 2025. Delays in pre-radiation dental oncology assessment and treatment are directly contributing to postponed initiation of radiation therapy. These setbacks not only reduce survival rates but also severely diminish patients' quality of life. Severe capacity constraints are causing critical delays in radiotherapy, inadequate dental preparation and heightened long-term risks for patients, including osteoradionecrosis, which is the decay of facial bones, known as dead jaw, and radiation-induced dental caries.”
“This bottleneck is not just inefficient; it is dangerous. Every four-week delay in radiotherapy increases mortality by 9%. That is not just a statistic. It represents the life of a daughter, son, father or mother. It represents a person who is somebody's world. Behind every percentage point is a person whose chance of survival is slipping away because of systemic delays that are preventable. Timely access to treatment is not a luxury but a lifeline. There is growing evidence that the human papillomavirus, HPV, is associated with head and neck cancers, and it is on the rise, particularly among younger individuals. This demographic shift is deeply concerning as these patients face lifelong consequences from both the disease and its treatment.”
“This timeline is unacceptable, as I am sure the Minister of State will agree. Head and neck cancer patients cannot afford to wait another decade for access to safe, timely and specialised care. Already, patients face long delays for pre-radiation treatment, often leading to avoidable post-operative trauma. The struggle to access dental specialists prior to the commencement of radiotherapy can, as I said, lead to post-operative complications. Patients often begin radiotherapy without the dental care that is essential to their safety. Approximately 400 new patients are referred each year to Dublin Dental University Hospital, which has only one consultant-led service. Similarly, Cork University Dental School and Hospital manages 160 patient referrals annually with only a single specialist-led service.”
“Rebecca has lived it and still lives it every day. Her journey through Ireland's healthcare system has been marked by courage but also by struggle. We waited for scans, referrals and answers. In those long, uncertain days and years, we learned that time is not a luxury cancer patients can afford. The national oral health policy was first published in 2019, yet six years on, its implementation plan remains at the draft stage and was released for initial consultation in the summer of 2025. While it is encouraging that head and neck cancers are recognised as a priority, the proposed care pathway will not be outlined until the end of 2026 and no national funding commitments have been disclosed. Critically, the designation of the advanced care centres is deferred to phase 3 of the implementation plan, which is scheduled for 2031 to 2032.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor. This is the first time I have addressed her since her elevation, on which I congratulate her. We are joined in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery by the chairman and the CEO of Dublin Dental University Hospital, along with staff involved in the treatment of head and neck cancer. I speak on this matter not only as a legislator but as a parent. My daughter Rebecca's journey through head and neck cancer has been one of unimaginable strength and quiet suffering. It is her experience and that of so many others that compels me to speak today. Head and neck cancer is not just a clinical diagnosis; it is a life-altering reality that affects how a person speaks, eats, breathes and sees himself or herself in the mirror. I know this intimately as it hits close to home.”
“I move: That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges that: - Ireland's current approach to pre-radiation oncology dental care and post-surgical dental rehabilitation is under-resourced, under-staffed and unsafe. Adequate pre-radiation and post-surgical dental services are essential components of cancer care; - immediate investment and legislative action are necessary to ensure that patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) receive timely, equitable and safe treatment; - HNC patients in Ireland face significant and avoidable risks due to inadequate pre- and post-radiation and post-surgery oncology dental services; - the Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH) currently manages approximately 400 new patient referrals annually with only a single consultant-led service, and Cork University Dental School and Hospital manage approximately 160 patient referrals annually, with only a single specialist-led service; - severe capacity constraints are leading to delays in radiotherapy, inadequate dental preparation and increased long-term debilitating risks such as osteoradionecrosis (decaying/dead jaw and facial bones) and radiation tooth decay (dental caries); - HNC is affecting increasingly younger patients, who will live with the side effects of the disease and its treatment for the rest of their lives; - this is a national issue, and as a result of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), the incidence of HNC is rising, currently involving a quarter of the current pre-radiation dental referrals; such cases are projected to increase by 66 per cent by 2045; - current delays in dental treatments and post-surgical oral rehabilitation contribute directly to radiation treatment postponements, reducing survival rates from this cancer and compromised quality of life; notes that: - there is a geographical spread with 4 per cent of referrals from the Mid-West, South-West, West and North-West regions combined, 46 per cent from Dublin City and County and 50 per cent from the North-East, South-East and Midlands with associated substantial costs and travel time for patients and their carers to attend dental appointments in Dublin; - there is at least a 9 per cent increased mortality rate associated with every 4-week delay in the commencement of definitive radiotherapy; - 43 per cent of patients present without a regular dentist, further limiting post-treatment care, while 181 patients await post radiotherapy review – some for up to 14 months; - the running costs of providing these services in the DDUH at current activity levels is €1.367 million annually, approximately €811,000 is funded by the HSE, leaving an additional funding requirement of €556,000; - the absence of a national HNC dental pathway and critical workforce gaps in prosthodontics, oral surgery and dental hygiene compound this crisis; - there is a strong connection between HPV and the presence of HNC, this underlies the importance of the HPV vaccine for young males and females; - based on empirical evidence there is a need for treatment facilities in the West (Galway) and increased services in the South (Cork); - currently, the necessity for patients to travel to Dublin for treatment significantly impacts families in relation to time and finances; calls on the Minister for Health to: - provide a commitment to ring-fencing funding of €1.367 million annually for pre-radiation oncology dental services in the DDUH, with adjustments in line with inflation and expansion of services; - provide full supports for regional dental oncology care centres in Cork and Galway; - introduce statutory recognition of pre-radiation and post-surgical rehabilitation dental services so that they will be formally integrated into cancer care pathways; - create permanent consultant posts in oral surgery and restorative dentistry for Cork and Galway centres; - outline guaranteed timelines so patients can be seen by dental services within 7 days of their cancer multidisciplinary team meeting; - implement a minimum 10-day healing period prior to the commencement of radiation therapy; operative and irradiated patients.”
“How are we going to keep the airport open? We saw the catastrophe of the joint cyberattack and bomb scare at terminal 2 in Dublin Airport a couple of weeks ago. If I am not mistaken, 600 flights were cancelled over that period. I ask that we have a debate with the Minister for Defence to establish exactly where we are going as we approach the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.”
“As we approach Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in light of the shutting down of Copenhagen Airport as a result of drone activity and given that other members of the European Union have provided naval service support for Denmark during its Presidency, we need to have a debate in this House - now is the time to do it - to establish exactly what plans we have to ensure dignitaries arriving into the country can land in Baldonnel Airport and can be securely transported into Leinster House, Dublin Castle or wherever meetings will take place. Similarly, we need to know what protections are in place for our skies. As the Deputy Leader knows, the air defence regiment was stood down in 2012 and we do not have one at this point in time. If somebody decides to come in here with drones, what are we going to do about them?”
“As someone who lives in Kildare, I know the Deputy Leader is very much aware of the Defence Forces and everything to do with them. It is a matter of concern to me that Ireland is one of the few countries that did not apply for the funding that was made available through the EU SAFE fund, with €150 billion set aside to assist countries to bring their militaries up to speed given the level of threat that exists in the world today.”
“There is no saving to the State if we cannot retain people who have been expertly trained at a massive cost to the State. While there are many good things in this budget, sadly, where defence and security are concerned, it is a failure. I thank the Minister of State for his time and for being here.”
“We must review the pay differentials reflecting the new responsibilities that one takes on. The post-2013 pension scheme must be seen as the greatest incentive to leave front-line services, that is, the Garda, Defence Forces, the Prison Service and fire service. It is destroying these services, and for some unknown reason, the people who advise Ministers with respect to taxation and pension schemes fail to take this on board. They are seeing people voting with their feet and leaving such services, yet the Government will not take on board the fact the pension scheme that was introduced is not a one size fits all. It is not the Minister of State's fault, but that of the people who advise Ministers and reassure them that certain actions will result in certain savings to the State.”
“Without changes to the post-2013 pension, which I have been harping on about for the past ten years, we are only fooling ourselves. There very well may be an increase in those wishing to join front-line services, but without experienced personnel to train them, they will very quickly hit bottlenecks. There will simply not be the instructors to train and mentor new recruits. Very quickly after training, the new recruits will be awakened to the paltry pension that awaits them on completion of their service and will exit the service early. There must be an urgent review of the pay structures in the Defence Forces. The pay was bottom-loaded some time ago to improve recruitment, but we must look at the pay structures that reward ambition as people move up the ranks.”
“All of this is happening when the world is in a state of security crisis, including the war on the eastern border of the European Union, the genocidal slaughter ongoing in Gaza and the airports and military airfields of some of our EU partners being paralysed by targeted drone swarming. This is an important point as we move towards the Presidency of the European Union in mid-2026. How would Ireland respond if Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock airports were drone swarmed simultaneously? What State force would respond? The only Defence Forces air defence regiment was disbanded in 2012. In his speech, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, averted to the increase in the number of gardaí by 1,000 in 2026 and the Defence Forces by 420.”
“A net strength increase of 400 Defence Forces personnel in 2026, as indicated by the Minister, Deputy Chambers, in his 2026 budget, is not credible when the target strength in 2028 will be 11,500 personnel, 4,000 more than the current effective strength of the Defence Forces of 7,500. An increase in net strength of 400 in 2026 for the Defence Forces is a substantial deficit in ambition. Generic generalities best define the language of the Minister, Deputy Chambers, in his budget speech. It is telling that the defence allocation is in the very last segment of the Minister's speech, prior to his short concluding remarks. It is obvious that defence for this and previous governments over the decades is the hind tit and last in the queue for the budget.”
“Now, only two geographically dispersed barracks, Finner Camp in Donegal and Dundalk in County Louth, are in direct proximity to the Border. The answer to whether we could close the Border is a resounding "No". That is strike one against Ireland's sovereignty. Can Ireland, with its Air Corps and Naval Service in operational capability life support, secure its air and sea border? Again, the answer is a resounding "No". Does the budget for 2026 credibly advance Ireland's journey to sovereignty? No, it does not. Regarding the ambition of the Commission on the Defence Forces to achieve a level of ambition 2 by 2028, the budget shows no credible sign of achieving that aim.”
“Using this internationally accepted metric, Ireland is an independent state. However, it is most certainly not a sovereign state within the internationally accepted meaning of the word. Could Ireland, for example, repeat what happened in 2001, namely the foot and mouth problem in Northern Ireland? Could we seal the 399 km Border with Northern Ireland and the 281 recognised Border crossings in the economic interests of the State, as was brilliantly achieved by An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, the Department of agriculture officials and the customs service in 2001? Of course not. The State has hollowed out numerous Garda stations on or adjacent to the Border with Northern Ireland. The Defence Forces is a significantly diminished force and a shadow of what it was in 2001.”
“How many times must the proposed primary radar system, the new advanced combat radio suite, an upgraded armoured personnel carrier fleet and general service body armour personal protection kits be announced? As far as I can recall, this is the 12th announcement of such upgrades for the Defence Forces. The Minister, Deputy Chambers, opened his introduction to the defence segment of the budget by stating that Ireland is committed to safeguarding our national security while contributing to international peace and security. That is a given for any developed democracy, but is Ireland committed to the sovereignty of the State? Sovereignty is defined in international politics and diplomatic parlance as being, inter alia , a state's ability to control and defend its borders on land, at sea and in the air.”
“The Minister of State is welcome to the House. In his opening comments, he addressed the uncertainty in the world we currently live in and the problems that exist on our eastern flank and in various other parts of the world. It is only right and proper that, as a member of the security and defence committee and a former member of the Irish Defence Forces, I concentrate my comments on matters relating to security and defence. I welcome the allocation of €1.49 billion in the budget for Votes 35 and 36 for 2026. Taking inflation into account, however, what is the actual percentage increase from the 2025 budget? That is the figure that must be scrutinised, parsed and analysed.”
“I am nearly finished. I have always tried to work on the basis of not asking a question unless I had a fair idea of what the answer was going to be. Similarly, when it comes to the Minister's Department, I would like to see it come out of the doldrums of being the devil incarnate in the corner and be seen as somebody who is minding the State and looking after State resources.”
“What should happen is that the Department whose business case was rejected needs to understand why it was rejected and then to be honest enough and tell the public that when it put forward a particular set of proposals it was not accepted, and lay out the reason it was not accepted. It is not good enough to have one demon in the room and to blame that demon for everything. If I want-----”
“We have no problem doing it, but it is DPER. DPER has our hands tied." Departments need to be a little bit more honest with us. If they are looking for specific funding for something and the funding is not available, they have to explain why the business case they brought to the Department of public expenditure and reform failed. Why was the Department able to turn around and say, "We cannot fund that"? In fairness to the Department - my former union members will probably kill me for complimenting the Department on anything - but if the Department of public expenditure and reform is to stay and we are to remain with the two Departments – the Department of Finance and the Department of public expenditure – then the Department of public expenditure should not have to explain itself as to why projects or business cases did not survive.”
“You're telling me DPER is there to mind the purse strings of the State, and on the other hand you say the Tánaiste can spend whatever the hell he wants." I am sure what actually happened is that he was told, "You can have the €3.7 billion for defence, but if you get that, we are taking €1 billion out of health and another €1 billion out of somewhere else." Perhaps that is what happened. We need a little bit more honesty about what goes on in the Department. When we joined the EEC, which later became the EU, it was government practice and political practice to blame Europe for everything. "It is not our fault; it is Europe's fault. We did not do it; Europe did it." The current mantra throughout the country when we talk about public services - even hiring a secretary; it does not matter - is that, "We would do it.”
“I was brought up in a country where if the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste said they were going to do something, no Minister would have the audacity to say "No". They would simply say, "Get the cheque book out there. The Minister wants €3.7 billion. Where do I sign?" I had this argument with one of my family the other day. I said, "What a hard neck. The Tánaiste made a statement and DPER said no." My family member turned around and said to me: "Hang on a minute now.”
“We will go and settle it and solve whatever problem is there." That is the sort of Cabinet discussion that has to be had, where we sit down and we look at it. In fairness, on the money that the Minister has allocated to defence, I have been looking at what has happened, particularly in Haulbowline in Cork where a tremendous transformation has taken place. On the money that is being paid to our Defence Forces personnel, a 3-star private now starts on about €6,000 a year more than a teacher. That is really amazing. It is great stuff. The Tánaiste announced about three weeks ago that he went to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation looking for €3.7 billion to modernise and increase the Defence Forces and he was delighted that he got €1.7 billion.”