I am incredibly proud of our Labour campaign for a fairer, better, more equal Ireland. This remarkable electoral result would not have been possible without the determination and commitment of our grassroots members, constituency organisations, our Councillors and local branches. We are a party of deep roots and green shoots and I look forward to witnessing the continued growth and development of our Party, as we build on this great momentum over the years ahead 

With the election of a new Taoiseach and Government, we see a Programme for Government that essentially promises more of the same. It is clear that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, propped up by a motley crew of “Regional Independents” (whom I have called the “Lowry Lads”) have no ambition for a fairer Ireland. 

In the Dáil, speaking on the nomination of Taoiseach, I spoke of how it feels like “Groundhog Day” – Donald Trump is back in the White House; closer to home, Michéal Martin and Simon Harris have swapped roles, and Fianna Fail are back in power alongside Michael Lowry; all we need is the Galway Tent to complete the picture. 

There is no appetite from the Government benches for the radical change so desperately needed for the communities that we represent. Change is badly needed for the families facing eviction at the end of this month; for the 4,500 children now in homelessness; for the parents who cannot access autism supports or additional needs places for their children; for patients languishing on waiting lists; and for all the young adults who are booking one-way tickets to Australia because they see no future and no prospect of an affordable home here. 

It seems the private sector will continue to be relied on to deliver on housing, with no prospect of greater State intervention to deliver affordable homes at the scale that is needed. Nor will we see the State stepping up to deliver essential public services like childcare, while workers’ rights are only getting derisory treatment in the programme. The Government has abandoned initiatives such as drug policy reform and the citizens’ assembly on the future of education. There is nothing in the programme to reassure us about our economic sustainability in the face of Trump’s dangerous tariff plans. And there are only lukewarm prospects, at best, for achieving the necessary passage of the vital Occupied Territories Bill. In short, the Programme for Government is not up to the task. There is no sense of urgency about tackling the crises that face us in housing, climate, healthcare and disability services. We are seeing no vision and a regressive set of policies. 

On a warmer note, I want to say a special congratulations to our seven new Labour TDs – Ciarán Ahern in Dublin South-West; Eoghan Kenny in Cork North-Central; George Lawlor in Wexford; Robert O’Donoghue in Dublin Fingal West; Marie Sherlock in Dublin Central; and Mark Wall in Kildare South. I am incredibly proud of our re-energised, exciting and dynamic team, and I look forward to working with our strengthened parliamentary party to hold this Government to account as the Dáil reconvenes. 

In solidarity,