Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words

In this episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, we’re talking about the buildings that tell Ireland’s story and the practical steps being taken to protect them.  From churches and libraries to windmills, observatories and thatched homes nearly 700 historic buildings are receiving over €8 million in conservation funding in 2026. Seanad Spokesperson on Heritage Senator Mary Fitzpatrick sits down w...

In this episode Deputy Catherine Ardagh speaks with Minister for Housing James Browne TD and the party’s housing spokesperson Deputy Seamus McGrath about the Government’s Housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities. They outline and examine the work being done to achieve delivery of 300,000 new homes by 2030, including 72,000 social homes and 90,000 affordable supports.   Fresh from his fi...

In this episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, Senator Anne Rabbitte and Deputy Chap Cleere are joined by world-renowned cyberpsychologist and author of The Cyber Effect, Dr. Mary Aiken, to dive deep into the findings of the Fianna Fáil Online Safety Survey. The discussion explores the hidden pressures of "social reciprocity"—the constant digital weight of likes and unanswered messages that kee...

In this episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, Albert Dolan TD and Malcolm Byrne TD are joined by Darina Dunne, Chairperson of the Irish Physical Activity Alliance, to discuss the urgent need to shift from reactive healthcare to prevention-first policy. With life expectancy in Ireland now at 83 – and rising – the conversation explores how longer lives must also mean healthier lives. From the gr...

In this episode we discuss how the Irish language is taught in our schools, what changes can be made to improve the curriculum and the emphasis on spoken Irish over written Irish in the Leaving Cert. We also talk about how we all have more Irish than we realise and we should be practising our native language at home, with friends and in our daily routines. Senator Shane Curley is joined by Meghan...

In this episode of Fianna Fáil:In Our Own Words, we examine how tackling vacancy and dereliction can deliver homes faster and strengthen communities, as set out in the Government’s Delivering Homes programme. Fianna Fáil Housing Spokesperson Séamus McGrath TD is joined by Marion Jammet, Director of Policy and Advocacy  with the Irish Green Building Council, to discuss the scale of vacant and derel...

In the wake of ESB Networks’ Review of Storm Éowyn and the latest update to its Winter Resilience Plan, this episode takes a clear-eyed look at how Ireland is strengthening its electricity network against increasingly severe weather. Fianna Fáil Cavan–Monaghan TD Brendan Smith hosts this discussion with Brian Brady, ESB’s Head of Network Resilience and Climate Adaptation, and Karen McGeough, Senio...

This week on Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, we’re diving into all things agriculture. Joining the conversation are Aindrias Moynihan, TD for Cork North West and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Seanad spokesperson on Agriculture, Westmeath Senator Paul Daly and Dublin Central Senator Mary Fitzpatrick. Together, they tackle key issues shaping the sector right now — from Blue Tongue...

On this episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, 18 year-old Leaving Cert student Ethan Elwood of St Raphael’s School in Loughrea, County Galway shares his experience of navigating school and exams with dyslexia and ADHD. Speaking candidly about his time in the Junior Cycle, Ethan describes the hidden challenges he faced  when his learning difficulties were undiagnosed. He recounts how he was und...

This episode coincides with 16 Days of Activism against gender based violence and International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.   Meath West Deputy Aisling Dempsey, Tipperary North TD Ryan O’Meara and Dublin South West Senator Teresa Costello discuss a key measure in Ireland’s new housing strategy, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The provision ensures that survivors can...

This episode coincides with 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence and International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Twenty-four-year-old Jennifer Poole from Finglas in North Dublin was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Gavin Murphy from Coultry Drive in Ballymun at her home in April 2021. The mother of two was stabbed multiple times by Murphy who unbeknownst to her had a...

In the inaugural episode of Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Senator Alison Comyn and Deputy Albert Dolan sit down for a powerful conversation that celebrates the past and charts a bold course for the future. This special episode marks a pivotal moment for Fianna Fáil as it approaches its 100-year anniversary. An Taoiseach, Senator Comyn and Deputy Dolan explore the part...