THE LAST FEW weeks have been a time of reflection for the Fianna Fáil family. The presidential campaign has sparked a lot of discussion about the future of the party, about leadership, direction and identity.

But for me, this isn’t a moment for division. It’s a moment for honest reflection, renewed ambition, and action.

Micheál Martin has done a huge amount to rebuild the party since 2011. He’s a strong leader, a steady hand, a strong communicator, and he played an important role in bringing Fianna Fáil back to the centre of Government. From my own experience in Dublin South-Central, I’ve seen first-hand how much time and energy he’s given to reconnecting with people on the ground.

Now, as we move forward, it’s time to focus on delivery, particularly for those who need support the most: older people, families under pressure, children and people with disabilities.

Beyond housing, three areas stand out for me as crucial: health, disability and community safety.

On disability, an issue close to my heart, we need to be far more ambitious. I want to see therapists properly back in schools within the next six months. That’s what parents were promised, and that’s what children deserve.

Families have waited far too long for assessments and basic supports. The excuses have run out.

I have spoken to the Taoiseach many times in relation to the challenges surrounding disability and the lack of delivery and this is where I want him to be bold and ambitious: to drive change and delivery, along with his ministers, and ensure that there is accountability within the senior civil service across government departments – where bureaucracy, the status quo and business as usual is the norm, and real and meaningful reform is reduced to a snail’s crawl.

It’s time to cut through it and deliver changes that people can actually feel in their daily lives and that makes society better for all of us, especially those who need it most.

The same applies to child and youth mental health. I recently tabled a Parliamentary Question which revealed that over 60% of referrals to CAMHS are rejected. Almost two out of every three children referred are turned away. That is simply unacceptable. Behind those statistics are real families, often in crisis. We need a full review of how CAMHS is functioning — because right now, it’s hard to accept that the system is fit for purpose.

Community safety is another area that matters deeply to people.

Everyone should be able to go about their day feeling safe where they live and work. I’ve long argued for greater investment in community gardaí — the people who know their areas, who build relationships, and who can spot trouble before it escalates. Their presence across the capital has improved in recent months, and I hope Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan will continue to strengthen that visibility and support.

Housing will, of course, remain the defining issue of this government. Progress is being made and Minister for Housing James Browne must continue to drive delivery with determination. Barriers cannot be tolerated or excused — this is a crisis and it demands an all-out effort to provide housing solutions across the board, but especially social and affordable homes.

Cost of living

The cost of living is another ongoing challenge. Families are doing their best but finding it harder to stretch their income. Prices have risen sharply, from groceries to energy bills. Government made a commitment to cap childcare costs at €200 per month per child, and that must remain a key goal. It’s exactly the kind of fair, practical, family-focused policy that shows what Fianna Fáil stands for.

Solutions also are needed in terms of the rising energy costs which not only place families under serious pressure but threaten the viability of businesses in the capital and in every town and village all over the country who continue to struggle for survival.

As a member of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee, every week I see examples of flagrant waste and incompetence when it comes to the use of taxpayers’ money.

Scarce resources are sometimes squandered on ridiculous initiatives or through incompetence.

There is a need for a concerted effort from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure taxpayers are getting value for money.

The Comptroller and Auditor General does good work in respect of identifying such waste but again there is a distinct lack of accountability and we have a responsibility to ensure taxpayers’ euros are invested where they need to be, on delivering quality public services, investing in infrastructure and investing in our communities.

So yes, there’s work to do in Government and within the party itself. But renewal isn’t about pointing fingers, it’s about rolling up our sleeves and getting things done.

We’re back in Government in no small part because of Micheál Martin’s leadership. Where we go next will depend on how bravely we tackle the issues that matter most: housing, disability, mental health, childcare, and community safety.

That’s the agenda we should be judged on and as a TD elected by the people of Dublin South Central last November, I will be using every opportunity during this term to fight for real improvements and to make a difference to peoples’ day to day lives, it isn’t our job to serve the system but rather the people who elected us.

Catherine Ardagh is a Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South Central.