A new coalition government in Ireland, formed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Independent TDs, has unveiled its programme for government. Key priorities include building 300,000 new homes, investing in road infrastructure and retrofitting existing buildings, and promoting an 'Year of the Invitation' tourism drive. The programme also outlines plans for the arts, sports, and international protection policies.
Programme for government updates: More road and retrofitting funds, 300,000 new homes target and ‘Year of the Invitation’ tourism driveNew government coalition talks: Independent TDs Danny Healy Rae and Michael Healy Rae as the speak to the media at Leinster House, as they reach a deal to support the new government.
On media, the Government will “ensure stable, sufficient funding for RTÉ and other public service broadcasters to maintain quality programming and public trust.” There is to be increased capital investment in national arts infrastructure through the review of the National Development Plan. The document notes commemorations that will fall during the lifetime of the Government including the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell and the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence “highlighting Ireland’s connection to that story”.The government is to introduce a new International Protection Act to implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact “which will strengthen and integrate key EU policies on migration, asylum, border management and integration.
The government plans to move away from the emergency use of hotels for accommodation towards putting in place facilities for those seeking protection on state land while international protection applicants will be required to contribute towards their accommodation costs. Any applicant whose international protection application has been refused in another EU member state will be subject to an accelerated hearing under an inadmissibility procedure.
The Government will work with An Garda Síochána to ensure a person in an intimate relationship can be informed of a serious risk to them where a new partner has a history of domestic violence.A new prison is to be built at the Thornton Hall site in North Dublin under the new programme for government which will also see existing prison capacity expanded by 1,500 spaces.
A regional office for the Director of Public Prosecutions will be established under the programme while the passing of the Defamation Bill will be “a priority”.It will bring the National Centre for Cyber Security and the National Security Authority under the remit of the Department of Justice “to ensure proper alignment of national security infrastructure.”Here is the Regional Independent Group as it stands ahead of its entry into government, pictured at Leinster House.
The introduction of a Pay Related Carer’s Benefit will be examined for individuals who have to give up work suddenly in order to provide full-time care. It pledges a new Compulsory Purchase Order Bill which it says will streamline and strengthen CPO powers, while introducing a range of planning reforms such as a pre-planning meeting for significant developments, continuation of the land value sharing, residential zoned land tax and vacancy taxes.
The programme commits the government to capitalise the LDA out to 2040 and increase its housing delivery targets, strengthen its CPO powers and to accelerate state lands transfer suitable for homes into the LDA. It promises a “homebuyer help” package including an eight week conveyancing target, and to reduce the time taken by the probate office. It is also promising an expert group to make the home bidding process “clearer and more transparent”.
It is promising to establish a Building Standards Regulatory Authority while continuing with schemes targeting defective apartments, concrete blocks and to extend eligibility for the purite remediation scheme. It promises to support An Garda Síochána “to dismantle criminal gangs and tackle the drugs epidemic”.
There is a promise to “support families who are waiting too long for an assessment of needs to procure assessments privately.” It will expand the list of offences leading to permanent disqualification for transport drivers and enhance safety by supporting the provision of CCTV in taxis.A new Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration will be established, under the new programme for government. At least 5,000 new Garda members are to be recruited over the next five years also.
There is a promise to legislate to give gardaí the authority to request passwords for electronic devices when executing a search warrant. All frontline Garda members are to be equipped with body-worn cameras to improve accountability and safety. - Establishing six surgical hubs made up of one in Cork, two in Dublin, one in Galway, one in Limerick and one in Waterford
Distinct budgets will be established for road maintenance and new road construction starting in 2025. On the nitrates derogation, it promises to do “everything within its power” to make the case in the EU for the retention of the nitrates derogation, and to establish a cabinet committee on water quality while working with farmers and industry on the derogation renewal plan which seeks to support retention.
The Dublin City Centre Taskforce’s recommendations will be implemented through the Department of the Taoiseach. There will be a redevelopment plan for the GPO that will honour its historic significance and reinforce its role as a central landmark.On education, the programme for government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools, while the government will also “aim to” reduce the general pupil teacher ratio at primary level to 19:1 over the next five years.
The government is also promising to increase the number of special schools and special classes, hire more special education teachers and special needs assistants, and double the number of college places for speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists and any other specialists that are needed
In relation to the Irish language the Government will work with Údarás na Gaeltachta and others to ensure there is adequate provision of housing and community services in Gaeltacht communities and restore a scheme to improve the non-county roads in Gaeltacht communities.There will be support for the expansion of broadcasting licences for mainstream Irish language radio stations which focus on young listeners.
It promises a “pro-enterprise tax policy” and to expedite an early review of the National Development Plan in July - this will encompass all public capital and will address the Apple cash, AIB share sales, and the use of the broader state funds. It flags housing, including the funding of the LDA, water energy, transport and health digitalisation.
It commits to reviewing and to consider expanding the IDA land bank, including new advanced manufacturing facilities in strategic locations. The Tribunal made adverse findings against Mr Lowry - which he disputes - and the issue has resurfaced in recent weeks as he took the lead in Government formation talks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, on behalf of the Regional Independent Group.
RIG colleague, Galway West TD Noel Grealish, said Mr Lowry had been appointed by the group to lead its negotiations and “Michael did an absolute excellent job of that. The Moriarty tribunal, formally called the Tribunal of Inquiry into Payments to Politicians and Related Matters, undertook an investigation into the 1995 awarding of the State’s second mobile phone licence to Denis O’Brien’s company, Esat Digifone.
It is not known whether there is any recommendations in relation to specific individuals in the file submitted to the DPP.On children and childcare, the programme for government commits to “progressively” reducing the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child through the National Childcare Scheme, and also commits to exploring options around a cap on costs for larger families. There is also a pledge to review and increase core funding, Jennifer Bray reports.
There are also commitments to introduce paid surrogacy leave; increase the Foster Care Allowance; examine pension provision for foster carers; examine the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers.
The programme for government will new national parks and increase funding to the NPWS to support its operation and visitor experiences.Since the General Election we have been working night and day to deliver a Programme for Government. The doorstep opportunity was cut short after questions about Mr Lowry’s role in government and his past with the Moriarty Tribunal arose, reports political editor Pat Leahy.It is expected that the programme for government will include a commitment to continue to reduce the third level student registration fee.The Taoiseach’s position is likely to change hands after the incoming coalition’s third budget is agreed in 2027, senior sources have said.
Jennifer Bray and Jack Horgan-Jones tell Hugh Linehan what this all means in today’s episode of Inside PoliticsJack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk about the composition of the new Government and what we now know about the policies that will form the Programme for Government. They also discuss the decision by the Healy-Raes to demand a junior ministry.
He said that it was a matter for the incoming taoiseach and also declined to confirm any deals for his constituency but said the people of Kerry will see the benefits of having him and his brother Danny in government over the coming years.Speaking to reporters this morning, he said they would now be “fighting from within government, using the structures of government to better the case of the people in Kerry and throughout rural and urban Ireland, and that’s the way we want to work”.
He also said that there was no “future in history” and no point in looking backwards at what “went on in the past”. There will be no new stand-alone departments created, with the dual campaign trail promises from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil catered to by giving extra prominence within the departments of Public Expenditure and Justice, as well as extra resources. Integration will be stripped out of the Department of Children led by Roderic O’Gorman and transferred to the new domestic affairs section of the Department of Justice.
There are also proposals for a new transport security force, outside the Garda, but which would have powers of arrest.The Healy-Rae brothers have confirmed Michael will take a junior minister post in the next government, but declined to say in which department and that it was a matter for the taoiseach.
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