The new Dáil term is off to a lively start, with the recent power outage crisis and ongoing housing concerns taking center stage. The quieter atmosphere this week belies the brewing tensions as opposition parties challenge the government on its performance.
This week at the Dáil, the political atmosphere has been noticeably quieter, lacking the fireworks of recent exchanges. An opposition TD remarked to us yesterday that even the Dáil business committee, which typically sets the agenda for the following week and often foreshadows upcoming conflicts, appeared somewhat subdued at its private meeting on Thursday.
This doesn't mean everyone is getting along harmoniously, as familiar issues from the previous Dáil, such as housing and government spending, remain prominent. These are complemented by new concerns arising from the recent power outage crisis. As people finally regain their electricity, the situation may gradually fade from the news headlines. However, there is genuine unease within the government regarding the vulnerability of communication and utility networks exposed by the outage. There's also political frustration over comments made by the ESB chief executive, suggesting that households still without power may ultimately bear the cost of reinforcing the electricity grid.The new Dáil term is beginning to look more complex for the government and potentially more engaging for the rest of us than anticipated during the lengthy winter of coalition formation talks. Opposition parties have been quick to criticize the government over its housing record, particularly its pledge during the election campaign to build 40,000 homes last year. The actual number built fell considerably short of this target, missing even the revised Housing for All goal for 2024. During a recent session of Private Members' Time, opposition TDs targeted Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach, regarding the government's housing performance. Jim O'Callaghan, a prominent opposition figure, questioned Martin about his housing policy, leading to a heated exchange. O'Callaghan accused Martin of failing to read the policy, while Martin retorted that the Social Democrats were more preoccupied with escaping government negotiations in time for the 6.1 news bulletin than contributing to the coalition. Another notable development has been the sustained scrutiny of government spending by the opposition. Independent TDs, known for their occasional clashes with the coalition, have been vocal in their criticism. They have highlighted instances of excessive and inefficient spending, such as the protracted construction of a wall at the Hill of Tara, which has already cost €124,000 over 14 years.
DÁIL IRELAND POLITICS HOUSING GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION POWER OUTAGES ELECTION ECONOMY
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