The Irish government’s draft programme includes significant policy changes such as smaller class sizes, reduced childcare costs, increased garda recruitment, and a ban on selling energy drinks to children. It also proposes stricter regulations on dermal fillers.
Education, Childcare & Public Safety
· Reduce the primary school pupil-teacher ratio to 19:1.
· Lower childcare costs to €200 per month per child.
· Establish a public transport security force with powers similar to airport police.
Housing & Infrastructure
· Construct over 300,000 new homes by 2030.
· Introduce a Compulsory Purchase Order Bill to free up land for housing.
· Create a Land Price Register and rent price register.
· Allocate Apple tax funds to housing, transport, and healthcare digitalisation.
Healthcare & Public Services
· Explore restrictions on high-caffeine energy drinks, including a ban for children.
· Ensure only trained healthcare professionals administer dermal fillers.
· Expand contactless fare payments on public transport while maintaining low fares.
· Introduce paid surrogacy leave.
· Develop a transgender healthcare service based on clinical evidence and inclusivity.
Economic & Workforce Plans
· Create 9,000 new international financial services jobs by 2030.
· Implement a new Disability Strategy with increased staffing and shorter wait times.
· Recruit at least 5,000 new gardaí over the next five years.
· Link a new public sector pay deal to government reforms.
Drug Policy & Migration
· Adopt a “health-led” approach to drug addiction.
· Direct individuals caught with drugs for personal use to health services, avoiding explicit mention of decriminalization.
· Fast-track migration processing, with border applicants’ cases resolved within three months.
· Restrict entry for individuals processed under the border procedure.
Political Leadership & Appointments
· Micheál Martin will serve as Taoiseach until November 16, 2027, followed by Fine Gael leader Simon Harris.
· Regional Independent Group members will hold key government roles:
· Noel Grealish (Department of Agriculture, super junior minister).
· Seán Canney (Department of Transport, super junior minister).
· Kevin “Boxer” Moran (Office of Public Works, junior minister).
· Marian Harkin (Department of Higher Education, junior minister).
· Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae will also take a junior minister post, with details to be confirmed.
Speaking on behalf of the Regional Independent Group, Michael Lowry praised the appointments, particularly highlighting Boxer Moran’s return to the Office of Public Works and Marian Harkin’s expertise in education and regional development.
Michael Healy-Rae emphasized the need for a government focused on “common sense,” prioritizing issues affecting farmers, tourism, and local communities. He credited his brother Danny Healy-Rae’s negotiation skills, humorously suggesting that even former U.S. President Donald Trump could benefit from them in peace talks.
The support of the Healy-Raes brings the government’s backing to 95 TDs.
The full programme for government will be published following Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s parliamentary meetings, concluding a lengthy negotiation process.