Next Seanad Éireann Election

IRELAND'S NEEDS INDEPENDENT VOICES IN SEANAD ÉIREANN

The world is going through turbulent times. There are daily threats to our way of life and our democratic principals. Never was it more important to have independent oversight of government in areas of cyber security, defence, security, policing, and public procurement.

Cyber Security

The threats to our economy come from a number of sources. Given our dependence on FDI it is vital that we increase our commitment to become a world leader in cyber awareness. Together with experts from the cyber industry we have developed a vision for Ireland in the cyber space.

The vision is to make Ireland a global, cyber security leader with skilled talent, technological innovation and research that will provide a safer, digital environment by utilising tomorrow’s skills today, for the benefit of all our Citizens.

Over the last 2 years I have led a number of programme developments for further education and training. In addition I have led a number of delegations to Tallinn's major cyber training centers of excellence. More recently engagement with a number of partners has led to the development of the 9 to 96 project which will deliver cyber awareness courses from primary school level to wider public of all ages.

Defence Forces

Following many years of lobbying we finally got a Commission on the Defence Forces to lay out the future path in all things defence. Now that the report has been published it is important that there is parliamentary oversight to ensure its recommendations are fulfilled. I believe in Ireland as a neutral state but if we wish to have this status we need to invest in our defence forces and defence capability just as other neutral states do.

Public Service Pensions

The changes to public service pensions are destroying front line services. In particular the post 2013 pension schemes offer no incentive for people to join uniformed services. I have lots of work to do to convince an incoming government of the need for changes in this area.

Public Procurement

The importance of questioning procurement can not be over stated. Government department are spending billions of our hard earned euros and in recent years we have seen how little real oversight of this spending there is.