Tánaiste and leader of Fianna Fail Michael Martin called briefings that he was “irritable” “idiotic” and drew attention to the age difference between him and the Taoiseach. Simon Harris.

Responding to journalists’ questions, Mr Martin said the trend of raising the issue that “Micheál is getting irritable” had started on Ivan Yates’ radio show. Then, later, in the Sunday Times, the senior Good Gael sources reportedly said, “I’m getting irritable.”

“It’s quite funny on one level but I would tell people to calm down a little bit,” he said. “That’s stupid.”

Asked if his saying in a media interview that he was more focused on substance than sound bites was a reference to Mr Harris, the Tánaiste said it was a comment on his approach to politics “which is a substantive approach”.

“There can be a tendency in modern politics to grab headlines, to take a very superficial approach, but I consider that in government we are there to do the best we can for the people.”

Mr Martin was speaking to journalists after delivering his speech at the annual Fianna Fáil Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown, Co Kildare, during which he compared the records of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on accommodation.

“Ireland has missed years because of past failures,” he said. “Like the old Fine Gael Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy As the previous government courageously said, radical reforms have been blocked in favor 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 program of reforms and developed new actions.

Mr Martin also compared his party’s approach to that of Sinn Féin. “There has been “a deep divide on housing in this election – between our program of supporting people wanting to buy a home and an opposition that wants to cut support for home buyers because of its ideological opposition to housing. help for home buyers. »

Speaking to reporters, Mr Martin said Mr Murphy, in media interviews, had explained how he had been “held back” as housing minister.

There can be resistance in the political system and in the civil service, Mr. Martin said, “to certain models of approach, and the market didn’t work… that was clear.” Over the past four years, he said, there has been “much greater state intervention in housing.”

During his speech, Mr Martin said a commitment to increased funding for the Shared Islands Initiative would be included in Fianna Fáil’s election manifesto.

“We are determined to move forward, to build on the momentum that is finally building. We will add at least €1 billion more to the Shared Islands Initiative and take its work to a whole new level, building lasting connections and helping communities overcome the disastrous legacy of sectarianism and violence.” , he declared.

Other issues covered in the manifesto would include tackling the rising cost of living, helping families and pensions “in every budget, in a progressive and sustainable way”, and tackling the structural problems that are at stake. the origin of high prices, particularly those of energy.

Mr Martin said Wolfe Tone understood that only through a secure place within the European Community of Nations could Ireland be sovereign and secure.

“It’s a lesson that those who call themselves Republicans have never understood. We must combat their instinctive Euroscepticism and prevent it from diverting Ireland from its European path.”

Speaking to reporters, Mr Martin said he had discussed the publication of the national planning framework with Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien and would raise the issue with coalition party leaders .

He would like the document to be published before the election, he said. This would “provide a menu for debate”.