Election 2024: Six things we learned on the campaign trail today
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín (second from front left) with candidates at the party's general election manifesto launch in the Pearse Centre, Dublin. Picture: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire
After Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín called his party an "empty hollow husk" and "easier to direct", Micheál Martin today ruled out going into coalition together.
Speaking in Kilkenny, Mr Martin said that Mr Tóibín did not have "respect" for him or his party and that this was a "fundamental" issue for him.
However, Mr Tóibín said that Mr Martin's "bruised ego" should not get in the way of coalition talks. He said that he would "give Mr Martin a hug" next time he sees him.
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Funerals are human goodbyes, the leader of Sinn Féin said on Thursday when the question was put to her for the second time about whether she would attend 'IRA funerals' if she holds the office of Taoiseach.
"I have attended funerals of former Taoisigh that were not of my political strand. I believe in respect for the dead."
Mary Lou McDonald said that if she were Taoiseach she would be aware that she represents the people beyond her Republican base.
She said that as leader of Sinn Féin she has attempted to reach out to those outside of the party's voters.
"The office of Taoiseach is different and you are right to point that out," Ms McDonald said.
"I'm also an Irish republican. I'm also a human being and I also reserve the human decency that if I know somebody, irrespective of their politics or who they are, that I can go and mark their passing."
Ms McDonald pointed to the funeral of former IRA leader Martin McGuinness which was attended by President Michael D Higgins, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Aontú has today published its manifesto, pledging to try and bring home 10,000 Irish construction workers home with promises of vouchers and tax credits.
Among the proposals is a plan to cut excise on pub-bought pints by 10 cent. But not because they want to bring down prices - but because they're cheaper.
"We're looking to change the behaviour around alcohol consumption somewhat. We're not looking to bring down prices, but we think that the pint that's sold in a pub is actually a healthier pint than a unit consumed at home," party leader Peadar Tóbín said.
Homelessness figures for the previous month are published on the last Friday of the month at 2pm.
That means they will come next Friday, seven hours after polling opens. Asked if he should be more transparent with people and release the figures on Thursday, Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said this was not possible.
"I couldn't, because the figures have to be independently verified. They're not just figures that I settle on there. They're figures that are independently verified, independently published. And it will be done like every single other month, at exactly the same time on the last Friday of the month. No change on that whatsoever, and completely transparent."
Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin rejected this, saying that Mr O'Brien has "never given the full picture of homelessness in Ireland".
The Green Party is big on public transport and today launched a document around the passenger experience.
Part of that is an Office of Punctuality, which would oversee things like so-called "ghost buses" and overall performance of the public fleet.
Dublin Central candidate Neasa Hourigan said that while it does sound like something from Harry Potter, the plan would work.
“That office is going to sit within the NTA and have a minister responsible for transport operations, so obviously in our €10bn investment in public transport, there’s going to be a huge focus on new lines and more lines.
“We have to make sure the ones we have work really well and make sense together. These two things together will build that trust and make sure that as many people as possible can use it.” The party proposes having the scheme backed with a junior minister.
Two more debates have been announced, one of which will focus on sport.
RTÉ Prime Time is set to host the final General Election 2024 Leaders’ Debate next Tuesday at 9.35pm.
Presented by Miriam O’Callaghan and Sarah McInerney, the final debate will feature Fine Gael’s Simon Harris, Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald.
Meanwhile, Matt Cooper will host the Election Special programme next Monday at 8pm on Premier Sports 1.
Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fáil), Neale Richmond (Fine Gael), Shane O’Brien (Sinn Féin) and Darragh Moriarty (Labour) will debate how their parties would approach sport.
