The other significant message from the June elections was that climate change is now a huge issue. Expect more emphasis on this, including increases in carbon tax and concrete steps on the climate action plan. Fine Gael will also play the latest jobs figures and try to improve public perception of its performance in problem areas: namely health spending, broadband and its laggard image on climate change.
While nominally the main Opposition party, Fianna Fáil’s journey through this 32nd Dáíl term has been a three-legged race, its ankle tied to Fine Gael’s for the duration. “When Paschal Donohoe is delivering the budget and if he finds a hidden stack of money, like the corporation tax windfall last year, we have to ensure it is used responsibly. Is the country adequately prepared for Brexit? In agrifood and customs? What happens in November and December when companies cannot maintain their employee levels?” asked the strategist.Sinn Féin had a bruising encounter in the May elections.
A just transition, unsurprisingly, is high on the Green Party’s agenda. It has a Private Members’ Bill tabled for the first week of the Dáil and is also going to put a huge emphasis on forestry.