Micheál Martin outlined Cabinet business today, announcing a formal decision to extend reduced excise duties on petrol and diesel and presenting a memo on child poverty ahead of the next budget. He also confirmed a Rural Housing and Gaeltacht National Planning Statement will be brought to Cabinet to support young families and rural homebuilding.
Formal decision on fuel duties
Micheál Martin said the Government will bring a proposal to Cabinet to extend the reduction in excise duties and to phase the restoration of excise on petrol and diesel. The measure was signalled last week and is being advanced now for a formal Cabinet decision.
Progress on child poverty
Martin highlighted progress in reducing child poverty and confirmed he will bring the second annual report to Cabinet. He emphasised the significant child support measures taken in the last budget and said the forthcoming budget will again prioritise supports for children in significant need.
Rural Housing and Gaeltacht planning
The Minister for Housing, James Browne, together with Minister John Cummins, will bring the Rural Housing and Gaeltacht National Planning Statement to Cabinet. Martin described the statement as important for young families in rural Ireland who need to build on their land or access housing where they work.
Implications for families and housing supply
Martin argued these combined measures - from excise duty decisions to targeted child supports and rural planning - will contribute to an increase in the number of houses built over the coming years and provide focused support for families and children.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Here's the Cabinet meeting again today. Obviously the decision in terms of extending the reduction in excise duties out and graduating the restoration of excise duties on petrol and diesel was something we signalled last week. We'll be bringing that to Cabinet today for a formal decision. In addition to that I'll be bringing a memo in respect of child poverty. We are making progress in reducing the level of child poverty in the country. This will be the second annual report and we took particular measures in the last budget, particularly in terms of child support payments which were very significant and we intend to do something similar in the forthcoming budget to have a focus on looking after children in particular and particularly children in significant need. The Minister for Housing, James Brown, along with Minister John Cummins will be bringing to Cabinet the Rural Housing and Gaeiltacht National Planning Statement which I think is an important measure for young families in particular in rural Ireland to be in a position to build their homes, particularly on their land or to be in a position to access housing in areas where they are working and where there is a clear need. So I think this is a very significant measure and an important one which on top of all the other measures we have taken will lead to an increase in the number of houses built over the coming years.
Thank you for downloading 🙏
If you publish this material on social media, we would be very grateful if you tagged VideoParliament. It helps us reach more people and keep building a transparent archive of Irish politics.
