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.

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.

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.

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 history of violence against women and had served time for attacking a former partner and her mother with a knife.

Jennifer had been involved with Murphy for a year prior to her death, she had ended the relationship but he returned to her apartment that afternoon and fatally attacked her.

Her young son was outside the apartment and could hear her cries for help.

Murphy was jailed for life for her murder in 2022.

Murphy had concocted a story that he had been in Spain before he met Jennifer when in actual fact he was in prison.

In this episode Jennifer’s brother Jason Poole describes listening to offence after offence that Gavin Murphy had committed, he said his sister didn’t know about his past.

Afterwards he asked his local Deputy Paul McAuliffe to help him to campaign for ‘Jennie’s Law’ which would provide for the establishment of a nationwide Domestic Violence Register which would name those convicted of the crime.

He has been working with Deputy McAuliffe, the now Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin on moving Jennie’s Law forward.

Cabinet Approval for Jennie’s Law has been secured and this is the culmination of Jason’s determination and hard work for his sister.

In this episode he sits down with Deputy McAuliffe and Senator O’Loughlin about the realisation that this Domestic Violence Register is finally coming to fruition.

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 party’s legacy, the wider Fianna Fáil family and a vision for Ireland’s future.

With optimism and ambition, the conversation highlights Fianna Fáil’s role in shaping national and European policy, empowering communities and renewing democratic engagement

In the very first episode of our podcast, Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words our guests chat about what being a member of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party means to them, the connections they have made, the strong bond within the membership, service and commitment.

They discuss this pivotal time for the party as it approaches its 100-year anniversary.