Callaghan to chair Dáil committee on members’ interests
Carlow/Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan with tánaiste Simon Harris
AMONG the 28 Oireachtas committee chair roles assigned last week, Fine Gael TD for Carlow/Kilkenny Catherine Callaghan has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Dáil committee on members’ interests. The appointment was made by tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, with Ms Callaghan emphasising that her priority will be ensuring public trust in the Oireachtas.
“As a first-time TD, I entered politics to make a difference – not only to the people of Carlow and Kilkenny but the entire country, too,” Ms Callaghan said following her appointment.
The committee on members’ interests plays an oversight role in the Dáil, responsible for ensuring that TDs adhere to ethical standards and properly declare relevant interests. Ms Callaghan stressed that her role would involve holding all parliamentarians accountable, stating that elected officials “are in place for one reason only: to deliver for the people”.
The Carlow/Kilkenny TD highlighted the challenges facing the current government over the next four-and-a-half years, particularly in areas such as housing, health, education, transport, rural affairs and communities.
“We also need to illustrate to our voters that we run our democratic systems in the effective, honest, transparent and open way that they expect,” she added.
Ms Callaghan concluded by reinforcing her commitment to ensuring that Oireachtas structures work effectively to serve the public interest, saying: “We are elected to deliver the people’s business – and I will keep an oversight role to ensure our Oireachtas structures work effectively to ensure that happens.”
All 28 Oireachtas committee chair roles were assigned with an annual allowance bonus of €10,888. Of these, eight roles went to Fianna Fáil TDs and seven to Fine Gael TDs, including deputy Seán Fleming from Laois, who was appointed to chair the committee on infrastructure and national development plan delivery, while Wicklow-Wexford’s Malcolm Byrne will chair the committee on artificial intelligence.
