I’ve an opinion piece in today’s @irishexaminer setting out why I’ll be voting against the new government in the Dáil today. While the government may be new – its programme is a rehash of what came before. Over 162 pages, most of the commitments are vague, notional or regurgitated. This is deeply disappointing, particularly in housing where the previous government’s own expert report called for a “radical reset” in policy. Instead, what we get is more of the same. However, more of the same won’t deliver the transformative change that is deeply desired and urgently required. In particular, it won’t deliver the change that is needed in housing, health, childcare, disability services and climate action. On social policy there is a lack of bravery. There is no mention of drug decriminalisation, assisted dying or access to abortion care. We need policies in these areas that are evidence-based and grounded in care, compassion and kindness. There is also no mention of collective bargaining, the living wage and the poverty points are woolly at best. At a bigger picture level, the new programme lacks a coherent vision for the State. In my maiden speech, at the first sitting of the new Dáil, I spoke about building a republic of equals. One where everyone has access to affordable housing, quality healthcare, a good education, a decent job and a sustainable future. A country with a social floor below which no one is allowed to fall. A country where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and flourish. To achieve that, we need to move in a new direction and take a different approach. Without that, I strongly suspect that in five years’ time, we will still be facing the same crises in housing and health. I fear we will miss our climate targets and that crucial public services will remain threadbare. None of this is inevitable. But, unfortunately, that is the path that has been laid by parties that have failed to embrace transformative change.