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 with Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD on the day he announced this funding, to chat about why built heritage matters
They talk about how the Built Heritage Investment Scheme works and what it means for communities right across the country. It including €1.1 million specifically for thatched buildings.
When asked what heritage meant to him Minister O’Sullivan said it was once described to him as  Inherited knowledge. 
"So I thought that was an interesting definition but I would have always thought, and I think if you ask most people on the street what it means, they would they would consider a heritage built heritage.
"So those old buildings, old castles, old churches and ecclesiastical buildings, dotted around country, and we have such a wealth of that. It's extraordinary."
This is a relaxed, informative conversation on Fianna Fáil's commitment to funding restoration, supporting traditional skills and making sure Ireland’s built heritage is protected, used and valued for generations to come.

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 first call for projects for the €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, Minister Browne explains how the new Housing Activation Office is a pivotal part of how we are going to activate and unlock shovel-ready housing projects across the country.
 
They discuss needs in their local constituencies and how Government is activating land, delivering key infrastructure, adopting modern construction methods and creating the conditions for private and public sector delivery to accelerate housing at scale.
 
This is an informative and must-listen episode, an in-depth conversation focusing on how Fianna Fáil in Government is turning policy into real homes.
 

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 keeps a generation of children "always on" and sleep-deprived. Dr. Aiken explains why sleep deprivation is the common thread linking anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in youth today.
The panel also offers vital advice for parents: why confiscating a device can feel like "taking a limb" and may unintentionally isolate a child from their entire support network during a crisis. Instead of digital isolation, the conversation suggests constructive discipline and highlights the ongoing work Fianna Fáil is doing in Government to hold platforms to account and strengthen online safety across Ireland.

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 growing importance of physical activity and strength at every age, to tackling osteoporosis and preventing fragility fractures, our guests challenge the myth that ageing inevitably means decline.
They discuss dementia, cardiovascular health, a tax rebate on gym membership while  examining how smart investment in preventative healthcare can deliver better outcomes for individuals, reduce pressure on the health system and help ensure that future generations can remain active, independent, and well throughout their lives

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 Scully, Broadcaster & Author as well as Shane Moynihan TD.

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 derelict properties across Ireland and how new measures under Delivering Homes are designed to bring these homes back into use.
The discussion covers expanded Croí Cónaithe supports, including the Vacant Above the Shop Grant, which is helping to unlock homes in town and city centres by supporting the conversion of unused space over shops into much-needed housing. It also looks at stronger powers for local authorities to acquire long-term vacant properties, the use of compulsory purchase where necessary, and a renewed focus on town and village renewal.
The episode explores how sustainable retrofit and the reuse of existing buildings can deliver homes more quickly, cut emissions, and make better use of existing infrastructure.
Together, they outline how Fianna Fáil’s approach is focused on turning empty buildings into homes, cutting red tape, supporting homeowners and communities, and ensuring vacancy and dereliction are central to increasing housing supply under Delivering Homes.

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, Senior Manager for Storm Resilience and Readiness.
Together, they unpack the major learnings from Storm Éowyn, a storm that delivered record-breaking winds, and explore the extensive 23,000 km network inspection, ESB Networks’ approach to rapid storm restoration, and the critical role of forestry and vegetation management. They also delve into international best practice and outline how Ireland is gearing up for the next generation of storms.
A timely, informative conversation on what it takes to keep communities connected when it matters most.

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 and Bird Flu to Mercosur and the Nitrates Derogation. They break down what these challenges mean on the ground and how they’re impacting farmers, consumers and communities, especially as we head into the busy Christmas season.
This is an insightful and informative episode you won’t want to miss. We hope you enjoy listening!
 

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 under constant time pressure in the classroom and often felt like an outsider, wrongly believing that everyone was smarter than him.
He sits down with Senator Shane Curley, a former school teacher and Fianna Fáil’s Education spokesperson in the Seanad.
Their discussion explores how time constraints in state exams disproportionately affect students with learning differences, often leaving them rushed, frustrated, and unable to show what they truly know.
Senator Curley has successfully campaigned for more time for State examinations
Ethan’s story highlights why providing additional exam time for students with dyslexia and dyscalculia is not a luxury but a necessity.
This conversation offers an honest look at how the education system can support all learners and how small changes - like extra time - can transform a young person’s entire outlook.

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 move to another local authority without losing their place on the housing list.
 
They also explore Senator Costello’s proposal for training all elected representatives to better support survivors and the importance of speaking out against abuse and why teaching children about equality, respect and healthy relationships matters for the future.