Michael Collins criticises programme for government
Michael Collins spoke on behalf of Independent Ireland, criticising the new programme for government as largely a "cut and paste" of the previous programme and insufficient for people struggling daily. He congratulated the Taoiseach on his election, welcomed a few adopted Independent Ireland policies but warned that key omissions and vague commitments will fail many sectors.
Independent Ireland described the programme for government as a rehash of the last programme and raised alarm at major omissions. The speech singled out a freeze on planned carbon tax increases as a serious reversal, calling it a "hammer blow" to ordinary people, hauliers and farmers who will face higher costs as a result.
Independent Ireland urged the government to declare a housing emergency, a step the programme did not include. The speech noted that over 15,000 people are now without a home, many of them children, and argued that without restoring local planning powers and completing wastewater and infrastructure projects, housing targets cannot be met. The speaker also challenged recent claims about housing starts, calling the figure of 64,000 houses begun in 2024 "fake news" and citing an actual total of 30,330 — a 6.7% fall in housebuilding.
The address noted a handful of adopted Independent Ireland policies — appointing a Minister for Fisheries and the Marine, a rejection of the Mercosur deal, and a promised VAT cut to 9% — but warned that the VAT detail is vague and too late for hospitality businesses that have already closed. The speaker emphasised the ripple effects of policy choices on hauliers, farmers and suppliers, and condemned deals that, in his view, hit the most vulnerable.
Independent Ireland had proposed a medical card for all cancer patients during the duration of their treatment; the speaker said the government has refused this proposal. He closed by wishing the Taoiseach well and stating that Independent Ireland will seek to be a constructive opposition in the years ahead.
Main criticisms of the programme
Independent Ireland described the programme for government as a rehash of the last programme and raised alarm at major omissions. The speech singled out a freeze on planned carbon tax increases as a serious reversal, calling it a "hammer blow" to ordinary people, hauliers and farmers who will face higher costs as a result.
Housing emergency and infrastructure
Independent Ireland urged the government to declare a housing emergency, a step the programme did not include. The speech noted that over 15,000 people are now without a home, many of them children, and argued that without restoring local planning powers and completing wastewater and infrastructure projects, housing targets cannot be met. The speaker also challenged recent claims about housing starts, calling the figure of 64,000 houses begun in 2024 "fake news" and citing an actual total of 30,330 — a 6.7% fall in housebuilding.
Economic and sector impacts
The address noted a handful of adopted Independent Ireland policies — appointing a Minister for Fisheries and the Marine, a rejection of the Mercosur deal, and a promised VAT cut to 9% — but warned that the VAT detail is vague and too late for hospitality businesses that have already closed. The speaker emphasised the ripple effects of policy choices on hauliers, farmers and suppliers, and condemned deals that, in his view, hit the most vulnerable.
Healthcare proposal and political stance
Independent Ireland had proposed a medical card for all cancer patients during the duration of their treatment; the speaker said the government has refused this proposal. He closed by wishing the Taoiseach well and stating that Independent Ireland will seek to be a constructive opposition in the years ahead.
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Transcript
To start with, Independent Ireland would like to congratulate you, Micheál Martin and your family on your election as Taoiseach today. Independent Ireland have very serious concerns for our country, and looking at the new programme for government, which is more or less a cut and paste job of the last one, leaves us to believe that little will change for the next five years for the many people who are struggling on a daily basis in our country. While some of Independent Ireland's policies are being adopted, such as appointing a Minister for Fisheries and the Marine, a full rejection to the Mercosur deal, the VAT decreased to 9%, which has now been promised in the programme for government going forward, but the detail is still very vague, and for the many hospitality businesses who have closed its stores already is too little too late. What is alarming is the omissions in the programme for government, a freeze on the carbon tax increases. This has now been forgotten by Fune Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independents, who have signed up to this agreement. This is a hammer blow to the ordinary men and women who have to go about their daily business. It is a blow to the haulier who is supplying goods throughout the country, who, with every increase, will have to up the price of hauling goods to our shops. It is a hammer blow to every farmer in this country who have to use agricultural vehicles to put food on our tables. Shame on anyone who signed up to a deal that hits the most vulnerable in this country. We, Independent Ireland, advised the government to declare a housing emergency, and they have failed to do this in their programme for government. A housing emergency would have expedited solutions to a housing crisis where over 15,000 people are now without a home, many of these are children. A housing emergency that brings back the power of county development plans to the people and allows planning in urban and rural communities. You did not take on board Independent Ireland's policies on deadlines or waste water treatment plan completions, which leaves communities all over the country with no infrastructure to build. Your housing targets, and the housing targets of all other political parties in this stall, will lie in tatters at the end of this year, because you cannot build homes without proper infrastructure. Last week's false news announcement that 64,000 houses had started, that was fake news in 2024. The facts are revealed today that 6.7% less houses built last year, only 30,330 in 2024. There is no vision in this government to do to resolve this. One of our main proposals in help was a medical card for all cancer patients during the duration of their cancer treatment. Unfortunately, you are refusing this. I wish you well, and I look forward to being a constructive opposition in the years ahead.