Earlier this week as part of my work with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Defence and National Security I was part of a delegation that travelled to Kosovo to visit the Irish personnel who are serving there as part of the 33rd Irish Contingent of KFOR. The 13 Irish personnel serving with KFOR are in key positions within the mission and are a prime example of the quality of training and professionalism that is at the core of Óglaigh na hÉireann. While I can't share much of what we did or learned for security reasons I have to say it was a very special experience. The icing on the cake was renewing some long standing friendships and making some new connections also. Thank you to everyone involved in the visit - it was a real eye opener and incredibly important as part of our committee's work programme.

The @defenceforces have been part of @UNIFIL for nearly 50 years, but with an upward trend in kenectic activity, a violation of the blue line and the subsequent reference to a "yellow line" in UNIFIL's area of operations - are we walking away at the worse possible time. ‘𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝, 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝, 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥’ Read some of my thoughts on the subject published in today's @IrishMailSunday

Fine Gael Agriculture Committee Launches Report on Future of CAP Cork North West Fine Gael TD, Deputy John Paul O’Shea has welcomed the publication of the new report from Fine Gael’s Agriculture Committee outlining the party’s priorities for the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), describing it as “a strong and clear statement of support for Irish farmers and rural communities.” The report, which was formally adopted by the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and launched in Mitchelstown by Fine Gael Agriculture Committee Chairman Deputy Noel McCarthy TD and MEP Seán Kelly, sets out key priorities for the next CAP under the upcoming EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Deputy O’Shea, who is a member of the Fine Gael Agriculture Committee, said maintaining a standalone CAP with payments linked to inflation is essential to protect farm incomes and ensure the long-term sustainability of Irish agriculture. More info here: johnpauloshea.ie/fine-gael-a…

The Belgian ambassador and members of the Irish Parliament meeting on a sunny day at Leinster House. Thank you for being members of the 🇮🇪 🇧🇪 friendship group ! @CathCallaghanTD @OireachtasNews @CormacDevlin @CDESALLE

Comhghairdeas mo chara @SeanKyneGalway Teachta Dala 👏 👏 👏

As the only person in the 34th Dáil who has served in Óglaigh na hÉireann I welcome a conversation on neutrality and the separate matter of reform of the Triple Lock. Neutrality and the triple lock are not the same thing. Ireland has been neutral for more than 80 years - long before the Triple Lock was created. Ireland will be neutral after the triple lock is amended. #triplelock #neutrality

I was delighted to join some of my former avionics colleagues in the NCO's mess in Baldonnel today to pay tribute to our mentor and friend Mr John Sewell as he retires after 49yrs of service in the @IrishAirCorps John and all his boundless levels of gen will be missed by everyone in Baldonnel. Wishing himself, his wife Cathy and their family a very happy and healthy retirement. I can't see John in an armchair so I'm sure he'll make the most of his free time. Well done John, you have served your country with distinction and I am proud to call you my friend. Catherine

Carlow pensioners ‘genuinely worried’ about coming winter due to rising fuel costs. Carlow-Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan spoke on the subject in the Dáil recently carlowlive.ie/news/local-new…

🎉 The first of a series of Foundation Days celebrating the 4th anniversary of SETU took place today at SETU Waterford Campus. I was delighted to make the trip down this morning to support everything that makes @SETU such an innovative and ambitious Technological University. Wishing @SETU_President Professor Veronicaca Campbell and all the SETU team continued success on their ever increasing impact on the South East region 👏 👏 👏 #SETU #foundationday #carlow #waterford #wexford @setu

🚨Those on the state pension have worked hard for their entire lives, and have paid into the pot to support themselves in their latter years. However, this income is fixed, and the ongoing war in Iran is creating a real worry amongst pensioners across Carlow and Kilkenny ahead of the winter. ✅ That is why I used my time in the Dáil today to call for an increase in the state pension in Budget 2027, or a targeted support package for those in receipt of the state pension for the duration of the war. #carlow #kilkenny #statepension #pension

by Reporter ‘Critically important’ - Carlow-Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan welcomes new fuel supports. kilkennypeople.ie/news/local…

In defence of democracy: A letter to the Editor in today's Irish Times #Ireland #Democracy

Blood test cancer screening should form part of mainstream genetic testing – Callaghan finegael.ie/blood-test-cance… via @FineGael

Harry McGee: Believe it or not, few EU countries are offering more relief on energy costs than Ireland irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/…

Top marks from Dan & I for Killoughternane Drama Group's play this year. Funny Money by Ray Cooney, directed by Paul Fitzgerald and in memory of the late great Jim Quirke who has been a mainstay in Killoughternane plays from 1974 up until his untimely passing last September. Jim is greatly missed but clearly never forgotten and was spoken about very fondly in every conversation I had last night. Congratulations to everyone involved last night, I highly recommend attending this play and with only two nights remaining please get yourself to Killoughternane early - doors open 7pm on Monday April 6th and Tuesday April 7th. Maith sibh go léir 👏 👏 👏 #Killoughternane #drama #play #funnymoney #greatnight

Millions needed to repair damaged Kilkenny roads causing ‘grave disruption’ The issue was raised by Carlow-Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan in the Dáil recently. kilkennypeople.ie/news/on-th…

Carlow Kilkenny Fine Gael TD Catherine Callaghan calls on Government to fast-track life-saving blood tests to tackle ‘devastating’ cancer mortality rates kclr96fm.com/carlow-kilkenny…

Yesterday, before Carlow's 🇲🇱 historic win in Croke Park, I was invited to attend Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann ONE Veterans Charity commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE) and meet @PresidentIRL Catherine Connolly who spoke of her honour to mark the 75th anniversary and the vital role ONE plays in assisting veterans of Óglaigh na hÉireann by providing essential professional services, including mental health and homeless services. I recently had an opportunity to visit ONE'S Brú na bhFiann veterans accommodation facility in Smithfield, Dublin 7. I was blown away by the tour provided to me by Sinead and Richard. Brú na bhFiann is a home away from home for Veterans in need of kindness and support where ONE not only provide a bed and three meals daily, they provide a whole range of wrap around services in line with ONE's core philosophy- Support, Comradeship, Advocacy and Remembrance. ONE is a registered charity and I appeal to anyone in a position to support to please do so. Options are available here - one-veterans.org/donate/ My congratulations & gratitude to Colm, Marie, Cormac, Audra, Richard, Sinead for all the work you do to support those who serve our State. Beannacht Dé oraibh go léir 👏 #veterans #irishveterans #ONE #ÓglaighNáisiúntana #defenceforces