Martin uses ard fheis to praise farmers and beg for peace

Tánaiste Micheál Martin used his keynote speech at the Fianna Fáil ard fheis yesterday to lay out the Coalition’s achievements — and to make a heartfelt appeal for calm in the Middle East.

On domestic policies, he pledged to clamp down on social media companies who fail to comply with safety regulations. He said every Irish school will receive funding to support the banning of smartphones during school time.

He said there was also a need to tackle the rising cost of living, which he said is being experienced by every Irish family.

The Fianna Fáil leader said the newly established Infrastructure Fund will ensure new school buildings, hospital facilities, roads and public transport get funding.

He also addressed climate issues, saying the extreme weather events are the direct result of warming.

“No community is being hit harder by climate change than our farmers and the wider agri-food industry.

“They are not only our largest indigenous industry, they are also custodians of our nature and our food security. We need our farming community. We need sustainable food production.”

He said that childcare fees will reduce by 50pc from September, pledging to increase funding to create “affordable” childcare places nationwide.

“And when it comes to changes in personal taxes, the priority must be families on low and average incomes who are feeling the most pressure from rising prices,” he added.

“That’s what we’ve done this year, and this is our priority for future budgets. Every cost adds up, and that’s why we are also cutting charges for many public services.

“Free schoolbooks have been introduced up to the Junior Certificate and will be expanded to all remaining years — permanently lifting a major cost from parents.”

On housing, Mr Martin said the Government is reforming planning laws to stop delays of housing projects.

“In the last four years, more houses have been built than in the previous nine years combined. There is more to be done, but that is real momentum,” he said.

“Last year alone saw the delivery of 12,000 social homes. And we will go much further. Thousands more are already in the pipeline.”

He said the Government will increase and expand the rent tax credit.

“And we’ll fund a major expansion in dedicated student housing.”

On the international front, he appealed to Iran to “step back from an escalation” after it pledged to retaliate against Israel over the April 1 attack on its consulate in Damascus.

He said Hamas should release all hostages and stop their activities, “which have brought great misery to the Palestinian people”.

“But as I have said repeatedly, including in direct discussions with the Israeli government, its war in Gaza is causing a shocking humanitarian catastrophe and cannot be justified.

“The evidence shows that war crimes have been committed and the bombardment of the population must be utterly condemned.”

He called for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a mass humanitarian relief.

“The only possible route to peace is for a stable, democratic state for the Palestinian people,” he added.