O'Doherty, Michael

What do Senators do?

They rigorously scrutinise proposed legislation, hold Ministers accountable, and shape public debate. Here are some of the key issues I would champion with determination.

 Housing
I support the Government’s Housing for All (HFA) plan, but the election promises were pure fantasy. Strong constraints—planning delays, infrastructure gaps, finance, and manpower shortages—mean only 30,000–35,000 homes per year are realistic, far below what’s needed. So an entire generation remains trapped in a deepening housing crisis.

We urgently need a bold solution to bypass these bottlenecks and deliver a major supply boost, without competing with HFA. The answer? Reclaim land from the sea at Fairview to build 20,000 studio apartments, sold exclusively to owner-occupiers at a target price of €150,000.By focusing solely on studio apartments, we can fully utilise Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), ensuring faster, cheaper development. Within five years, up to 50,000 people could live within city limits, close to transportation and essential services—a transformative step toward solving the housing crisis.

 Third level Education
The future of our universities is under threat due to a severe funding crisis in third-level education. Reliance on uncertain, annual budgets vs multi-year funding undermines strategic planning, disrupts critical research initiatives, and jeopardises access programmes for vulnerable students. Meanwhile, a substantial surplus in the National Training Fund remains untapped—a resource that could provide the stability and investment our higher education system urgently needs.

Energy
Our national power situation is precarious, driven by virtue-signalling and ideology vs solid science and engineering. With current weather-dependent renewables, we either over-produce, causing expensive waste, or we risk under-producing, with calamitous consequences. The solutions lie in increased short-term and long-term energy storage.

 Small Business
This year saw the heartbreaking closure of many beloved local cafes and restaurants, with 2025 set to be even worse. As founder and CEO of a small business, I understand these struggles firsthand. Adjusting the VAT rate for hospitality is essential, but more is needed. Instead of yet another hike in the national minimum wage (€13.50/hr), transitioning to a living wage (€14.75/hr) supported by a state-funded Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) would be revolutionary—offering a lifeline to businesses and delivering real benefits for workers.


Healthcare
Our healthcare is very good, but only for those who can get timely access. Agonisingly long waiting lists are symptoms of deep problems. The agreed Slaintecare policy proposed the construction of 3 new Elective hospitals: 7 years on, we have yet to turn the first sod. A top priority must be to build, equip and staff these hospitals. This is key to cutting waiting lists dramatically.

Immigration
The pressures are real, the disarray obvious. Genuine asylum seekers should receive asylum in Ireland. Economic migrants need rapid and fair assessment. An 18 month moratorium for International Protection applications would clear the backlog before the EU pact on Migration and Asylum replaces the current disorder
.

Finally
 The outgoing Senate often demonstrated greater wisdom and common sense than the Dáil—a standard I am determined to match and surpass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tweet