Micheál Martin tells ard fheis Government must go further to help families with cost of living

In his keynote address, the Tánaiste said changes in personal taxes must prioritise people on low to average incomes

Tánaiste Micheál Martin arriving at the Fianna Fail ard fheis, at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that the Government “must go further” to provide cost-of-living supports, as he commits to further tax breaks in October’s budget.

In his keynote address to the 82nd Fianna Fáil ard fheis in Dublin, Mr Martin said that the “greatest challenge” faced by families is the increased cost of living.

“Rising costs for energy and many basic products is a worldwide problem, but it’s one we have to address,” Mr Martin said.

He said that “urgent steps” were previously taken, including the one-off electricity credits, but that there needed to be more action from the Government.

"But we have to go further. We need to tackle costs across a wide range of areas,” Mr Martin said.

In particular, the Cork South-Central TD said Fianna Fáil’s priority in future budgets would be to reduce personal taxes for those on low incomes.

When it comes to changes in personal taxes, the priority must be families on low and average incomes who are feeling the most pressure from rising prices. 

“That’s what we’ve done this year, and this is our priority for future budgets.” 

Mr Martin added that Fianna Fáil is planning to expand the free schoolbooks scheme beyond Junior Cycle to all secondary school students.

Housing 

On housing, the Fianna Fáil leader admitted that the “biggest worry” for many people is whether or not they can find a home to either buy or rent.

“There is no other area where the pressure of our rapidly rising population has had as much impact. People are right to be impatient,” he said.

He said that while over 100,000 houses had been built since Fianna Fáil entered Government, this was “just the start”.

In particular, he said that the new Planning and Development Bill aims to stop delays of “urgent housing projects”, while also referencing the Land Development Agency being established.

“We’re not there yet, we have to keep pushing change and challenging roadblocks, but a new era in home building is underway,” Mr Martin added.

The Tánaiste pledged to increase and expand the existing €750 rent tax credit, while referencing plans to return short-term rental properties to the long-term rental market.

“To tackle our housing crisis, you don’t need politicians delivering angry speeches — you need a commitment to sustained action,” he added.

Children 

On children with special needs, Mr Martin said that while hiring more special needs assistants is important, the Government needed to “go further”.

“Access to needed therapies takes too long and is too difficult for children and their families. A new approach is needed,” the Tánaiste said.

“A core part of this is to provide new multi-disciplinary therapy teams based in schools, starting with special schools. Accessible, expert and comprehensive therapies for children — this is our commitment.” 

Palestine

On Palestine, Mr Martin condemned the Israeli Government while describing the ongoing war in Gaza as a “humanitarian catastrophe”.

“The evidence shows that war crimes have been committed and the bombardment of the population must be utterly condemned.” 

He added that the only route towards peace was through a “stable, democratic state for the Palestinian people”.

The Tánaiste also called on Iran to cease any escalation of war with Israel, saying that there are threats to “millions” of people in the Middle East if such a conflict were to break out.