Dáil Éireann

How do you explain that other than they've got themselves into this position where they feel they cannot speak out against Donald Trump for fear of upsetting him? I think that's

clearly the case because Micheál Martin will call the genocide in Gaza a genocide in the Dáil.

And then in the room with Donald Trump... calls it some kind of a crisis of humanitarian aid.

So we did not want to see Micheál Martin pull his punches.

But of course the government,

Neil, can't absolve yourselves of responsibility in this.

I mean, Sinn Féin brought legislation just before the end of the Dáil term and we were very disappointed that the government... saw fit to vote against it because that legislation would have involved the very simple act of planning for a united Ireland.

It will not happen just because we want it to happen.

Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1.

We're live from Gorry in County Wexford this morning where the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party think-in is taking place at the Amber Springs Hotel ahead of the return of the Dáil next Wednesday.

We'll be joined later by the party leader, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris.

But first, joining me here in Gorry to get a sense of the mood within the Fine Gael Party is our political correspondent, Micheál Lehan.

He scotched that and said that wouldn't be happening, but also saying that Sinn Féin were the longest-serving opposition party in Europe, having a go at Piers Doherty as well for being the longest-serving party.

finance spokesperson in the history of the state.

I think that shows the degree of confidence that seems to exist here coming into the new Dáil term but I think that will really be tested quite quickly and you do get backbenchers who have been out and about who do worry I think privately about that cost of living issue and can enough be done in the budget.

Finally then, Micheál, President Trump obviously visiting this weekend and one of his engagements is going to be with President Catherine Connolly.

Morning Ireland on RTE Radio 1.

We're live in Gorry in County Wexford this morning where Fine Gael is hosting its parliamentary party think-in in the Amber Springs Hotel ahead of the new Dáil term.

With Budget 27 now less than a month away, issues of income tax, childcare and energy costs are getting a lot of scrutiny and here to talk to us about all of that and more is Tánaiste, Minister for Finance and leader of Fine Gael, Simon Harris.

And Minister, thank you very much for joining us this morning.

So you're confident at this point, looking at the trajectory of where we're at, that you are still going to deliver on that promise of 200 euro per month by the end of the government's term? Yeah,

that's the programme for government commitment.

I don't think there's a party in Dáil Éireann who didn't roughly commit to the same thing.

And yes, that is true.

like independent ireland don't have anyone like that and patter to be and i think could do that but sometimes i just think he's too timid you need somebody who's going to speak over the heads of your fentanyl tools and your you know your your mariam o'callaghan's and your irish american chamber of commerce writing into the paper to say that you're going to cost jobs

Yeah, I mean, I think Ken O'Flynn is one of the best politicians in the Dáil, frankly, and I think he's a really good parliamentarian in such that he's got a really good strong nose for issues that actually are on the ground, that people, he'd often, you'd often see Ken O'Flynn come out and start to speak in the Dáil or release a press release on something that's been bubbling on the ground for a while, but no other politician has talked about it.

So I obviously think that independent Ireland would do much better with him as leadership.

As leader, but I also just think that part of the the requirement for breakthrough is is is leadership.

How many members of the Oireachtas does the Green Party

have? They have one member of the Dáil and they have one member of Shannon.

So

two.

Roderick leads himself in the Dáil.

28 councillors.

Malcolm Noonan leads himself in Shannon.

That's what they...

OK, well, look, it's lovely to welcome you back after the summer recess.

It all kicks off again next Wednesday or Thursday, is it, when the Dáil returns?

Wednesday the 16th so they're kept busy Alan the ploughing starts on the Tuesday the 15th 1950 year the ploughing and we all know what a kind of political mecca that has become and then the Dáil back on the 16th and then the Taoiseach off to the UN the following week for the high level week that happens every year there

Thanks, Sean.

Great to welcome you back again.

Our local democracy reporter Aidan Delaney was there and has this package.

It was all smiles for the Fine Gael party as they made their way to the Amber Springs Hotel in Gorry for a two-day party think-in.

While not as decisive as an Ardèche, the event gives members of the parliamentary party the chance to hobnob with their leaders and discuss a way forward for the new Dáil term which is due to begin.

They had seven hundred thousand members.

Irish Americans contributed to bonds that helped to finance Dáil Éireann during the struggle for independence.

So, so I don't believe that we would have become independent when we did had it not been for the influence brought to bear by Irish Americans, by people like William Burke Cochran, who at that time was one of the most prominent political figures in America and who weighed in very heavily in support of Irish independence at that time, putting pressure on the Wilson administration in particular to recognize Ireland's right to self-determination.

So Ireland has, has now had diplomatic relations with the United States for a hundred years.

Many people we've spoke to today say it's quite remarkable that a town the size of Ballymote has connection with New York, and particularly 9/11.

But it has always been the case, hasn't it? Well known.

Well, I suppose going back to my earliest days when I was elected into Dáil Éireann, Jeremy, you know, in, in the aftermath of 2001, when I, you know, I made up, uh, extraordinary friendship with Mayor Bloomberg.

And I suppose that, uh, that rippled through ever since.

The D15 with Palestine group says nearby communities should mobilise against the visit, with Ruth Coppinger among those supporting the demonstration.

A separate No Welcome for Trump protest will leave the Garden of Remembrance at 1pm and march towards the Dáil.

TD Ruth Coppinger says Ireland should not be rolling out the red carpet.

The Irish government states that it's opposed to a genocide that's taken place on Palestine.