The draft programme for government lacks ambition and comprises tinkering around the edges with more failed FF and FG policy
The next government will be a conservative coalition which will bring the country backwards not forwards, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan.
Deputy O’Callaghan was commenting following publication of the draft programme for government this evening.
“The incoming government needs to be ambitious for the country and committed to transformational change in a whole range of areas – housing, healthcare, disability services, climate action and childcare.
“Instead, what we see in this draft programme for government, is a lot of tinkering around the edges and much more of the same, when it comes to failed Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael policy.
“In fact, it’s very difficult to see any input from the Rural Independents in this document, which appears to be a crude collation of the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil manifestos. The fingerprints of Independent TDs are notably absent, with more apparent focus on junior ministerial positions than policy proposals.
“Regrettably, the new government has all of the hallmarks of a conservative coalition that will bring the country backwards, not forwards.
“The biggest challenge facing this government is the housing disaster. Regrettably, there is nothing in this document which suggests the incoming government are prepared to tackle it. The only new idea appears to be extending the ‘first-home scheme’ to second-hand homes – an inflationary measure which will drive sky-high house prices even higher.
“The cost of living crisis was one of the biggest issues on the doors during the election, but there is very little in this document that will do anything to ease the extreme financial pressure that so many people are enduring. What we need to see is significant investment in public services – like childcare, healthcare and education – to bring down the cost of living.
“It is deeply regrettable that it appears the incoming government will not be adopting the Social Democrats’ proposal to appoint a senior minister for disability. The crisis in disability services is ruining lives and the clout of a senior minister, with a large budget and a reforming zeal, is a prerequisite to tackling the many issues that urgently need to be addressed.
“While it had been reported that the incoming government planned to lower the VAT rate for hospitality to 9 percent, the draft programme for government is vague and non-committal on the issue. It promises only to “bring forward measures” on VAT during the budgetary process. The Social Democrats proposed a 9 percent VAT rate for food-based hospitality businesses in our manifesto. It is alarming that the incoming government can’t simply commit to this in black and white.
“The government also appear to be watering down an election commitment to enact the Occupied Territories Bill. The draft programme for government commits only to “progress” the legislation. A failure to act swiftly, and enact the Occupied Territories Bill, would be a huge betrayal of clear commitments that were given by government parties during the election.
“The incoming government’s level of commitment to credible climate action is also a huge concern. The last government failed to meet its climate targets and there is nothing in the draft programme for government that suggests this trajectory will be reversed.
“There are some measures in the document that are welcome. For example, a new transport security force and plans to implement the Dublin City Centre taskforce recommendations. However, much more clarity is needed on these proposals – together with timelines for implementation. In relation to childcare, a public model is an essential reform that the new government must rapidly roll out.”
January 15, 2025