Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan Jim O'Callaghan: We made a bad decision on the presidency
Dec 16, 2025
Jim O'Callaghan, Ireland's Minister for Justice and Migration, dives into pressing topics like rising antisemitism and the Occupied Territories Bill, defending its legality while aiming to protect the Jewish community. He addresses Ireland's security needs amid drone threats and emphasizes the government’s strategy to manage migration, citing concerns over population growth. O'Callaghan reflects on party leadership choices and his future ambitions, revealing his hope to one day lead Fianna Fáil.
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Protect Jewish Community Separately From Policy Debate
- Jim O'Callaghan warns that anti-Semitism can rise when debates about Israeli policy conflate Jewish people with the Israeli government.
- He stresses the state's duty to protect the Jewish community and to separate criticism of policy from prejudice.
Drones And Hybrid Threats Require EU-Wide Response
- O'Callaghan says drone incidents and hybrid threats are a Europe-wide problem, not unique to Ireland.
- He calls for increased defence spending and better anti-drone and cyber capabilities to meet new threats.
Political Accountability Over Technical Expertise
- O'Callaghan accepts occasional imposter feelings but defends democratic accountability for ministers.
- He credits a strong civil service and documented decision processes for managing complex departments.