Elaine Loughlin: In forming a government, the main parties must not stray towards the parish pump
Boal/collins Picture: Election Murphy Verona As Hairle Ceann Her After Sam
The regional group of Independents has already pulled a stroke in tying the Ceann Comhairle's position to government formation talks, what other sweeteners will be handed out as part of a package?
Before Christmas, a charade of talks and discussions began with all parties and non-party representatives, with the notable exception of Sinn Féin, being entertained by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
After a gruelling 12 months which saw politicians campaign across general, local and European elections, not to mention the disastrous care and family referendums, people around Leinster House were tired and just wanted to get to the Christmas break.
The only sincere pre-Christmas negotiations centred around ensuring Wexford Independent TD Verona Murphy secured the highly coveted chair's position.
That deal done, TDs have been able to return to their constituencies for some respite before the real haggling begins in January.
But in hammering out a programme for government with a motley group of non-party TDs of the regional group, the two larger parties must not stray too far towards the parish pump.
The coming weeks of programme for government talks will be worlds apart from those entered into with the Greens in 2020, a party which placed an emphasis on delivering on reducing carbon emissions, an area that would later cause significant friction within the coalition.
The 2020 talks, which got under way as covid obliterated any pre-election manifesto promises, came close to the brink of collapse as Eamon Ryan's party demanded a 2:1 split in favour of spending on public transport over roads, a move which was strongly pushed back on by Fine Gael.
While the Greens focused on policies that would deliver for the entire country and impact the entire world which is facing a climate crisis, this time around the bartering is likely to be less global, more parochial.
The people of Galway, Sligo, Tipperary, and Athlone of course deserve to be represented, but coalitions should not be forged on the basis of the number of ministerial jobs that are handed out or commitments given to local projects. This has been the case in the past and has just not been confined to deals hammered out with Independents.
But as the world enters a very uncertain time, Ireland must remain outward-facing and cannot become consumed by the local issues, especially given Donald Trump's threatened plans to slash corporate tax, incentivise industries to bring production back to the US and impose tariffs, all of which would leave Ireland particularly exposed.
In its latest quarterly assessment of the economic outlook, the Central Bank said lower Ireland-US trade flows as a result of tariffs or other changes affecting the activities of those companies could reduce net exports, domestic investment, employment, tax revenue and economic activity.
This in turn could influence future investment decisions by those multinationals, which employ about 11% of Irish workers.
Simon Harris has repeatedly warned of the transatlantic trade shocks that could roll across the Atlantic once Trump officially enters office in January.
“If three US companies left Ireland it could cost us €10bn in corporation tax,” he said while canvassing just days before the general election.
“I’m not pre-empting it, I’m not saying that’s going to happen, I’m not predicting it, but that is the level of risk that our economy is exposed to,” he said.
The billions of euro earmarked in pre-election manifesto promises could easily disappear if Trump does deliver on his threats.
The world faces more than just economic uncertainty and negotiations to resolve the world’s most persistent conflicts will no doubt continue in 2025.
Ireland has been a leading advocate for the people of Palestine, which has drawn heat from Israel, with the closing of its embassy in Dublin in recent weeks.
But this country, which has always prided itself on promoting peace and equality must remain resolute in helping to forge a future that provides hope that Palestinians and Israelis can live side by side through a two-state solution.
The passing of the Occupied Territories Bill must be one of the first priorities of a new government.
However, there are now concerns the bill may be amended to such an extent that it loses its meaning.
Action Aid chief executive Karol Balfe said the new government must now realise the specific promises regarding trade with the illegal Israeli settlements in passing the Occupied Territories Bill.
"This has to be a priority, despite the pressure Ireland faces. It’s concerning that we could see some dilution of the essence of the Occupied Territories Bill. This is not what the Irish public wants, or what Palestinians need. The bill must include all trade, goods and services," she said.
External threats must be juggled alongside the persistent issues within our health service. Abolishing the means test for the carer's allowance is a measure which seems to be one which both the two main parties and Independents will progress. But ensuring people have access to home care services, a commitment which the outgoing government failed to enshrine as a statutory right, as well as guaranteeing respite for those who care for loved ones would bring about real and lasting change.
Access to services, whether that be patients waiting for procedures or children on long lists for assessment of needs, should also be a core priority, that demands significant investment and structural change.
The next government will be under pressure to find a solution to the housing and homelessness crisis and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.
As the world faces further uncertainty, the number of people who seek asylum in Ireland is unlikely to decline in the coming 12 months, putting pressure on all services.
It all makes for a lengthy list of commitments that the public deserves to see delivered on before the parochial bartering of local allocations and ministerial positions are discussed.