Tánaiste describes as ‘silly’ reports of Fine Gael briefings about age difference with Simon Harris

Tánaiste and leader of Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin has described as “silly” briefings that he is “tetchy” and drawing attention to the difference in age between him and the Taoiseach Simon Harris.
Responding to reporters questions, Mr Martin said the tendency to raise the issue that “Micheál is getting tetchy” had begun on the Ivan Yates radio show. Then, later, in the Sunday Times, senior Fine Gael sources were quoted as saying “I am getting tetchy”.
“It is quite amusing on one level but I would say to people to cop on a bit,” he said. “It is silly.”
Asked if his saying in a media interview that he was more focused on substance that soundbites was a reference to Mr Harris, the Tánaiste said it was a comment on his approach to politics “which is one of substance.”
“There can be a tendency in modern politics towards the headlines, towards the very superficial approach, but I take the approach that in Government we are there to deliver as best we can for the people.”
Mr Martin was speaking to reporters after delivering his oration at the annual Fianna Fáil Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown, Co Kildare, during which he contrasted the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil records on housing.
“Ireland missed years because of past failures,” he said. “As the former Fine Gael housing minister Eoghan Murphy bravely said, in the previous government, radical reforms were blocked in favour of a narrow focus on smaller actions.
“Well, we changed when we took over responsibility for housing. Over the past four and a half years we have implemented a relentless programme of reforms and developing new actions.”
Mr Martin also contrasted his party’s approach with that of Sinn Féin. “There was “deep division on housing in this election – between our programme of supporting people who want to buy a home and an opposition which wants to slash aid for homebuyers because of their ideological opposition to aiding home buyers.”
When speaking to reporters, Mr Martin said Mr Murphy, in media interviews, had spoken of how he was “held back” as minister for housing.
There can be resistance in the political system and in the public service, Mr Martin said, “to certain models of approach, and the market hadn’t worked … that was clear.” For the past four years, he said, there has been “a much stronger state intervention in housing”.
During his oration Mr Martin said a commitment to increased funding for the Shared Island Initiative would be included in the Fianna Fáil election manifesto.
“We are determined to push forward, to build on the momentum which is finally developing. We will add at least another €1 billion to the Shared Island Initiative and take its work to a completely new level, building lasting links and helping communities to overcome the disastrous legacies of sectarianism and violence,” he said.
Other issues in the manifesto would include addressing the rising cost of living, helping families and pensions “in every budget in a progressive and sustainable way”, and addressing the structural issues that cause high prices, including high energy prices.
Mr Martin said Wolfe Tone had understood that it was only through a secure place in the European Community of nations that Ireland could be sovereign and secure.
“This is a lesson which others who call themselves republican have never understood. Their knee-jerk Euroscepticism must be confronted, and it must be stopped from diverting Ireland away from its European path.”
When speaking to reporters, Mr Martin said he had discussed the publication of the National Planning Framework with the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien and would be raising the issue with the leaders of the Coalition parties.
He would like to see the document published before the election, he said. This would “give a menu for debate”.