Micheál Martin has been “a safe pair of hands” as Taoiseach, broadcaster and former Fine Gael TD Ivan Yates has said. 

Today is Mr Martin’s final full day in office before he swaps jobs with Leo Varadkar and becomes Tánaiste on Saturday. 

It is the first time the Taoiseach has ‘rotated’ from one party to another without a General Election and it is expected that he will take the Foreign Affairs portfolio. 

“In retrospect, the pandemic would have upset all his best laid plans,” Mr Yates told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“I think he’s been a safe pair of hands; I think he’s been chairman rather than chief. 

“I think he’s been fair and I think he’s kept the ship together.” 

Newly elected Cabinet of the 33rd Dáil meet for their first cabinet meeting in Dublin Castle Saturday 27/06/2020.

However, he also said the Government had made little headway fixing many of Ireland’s long running issues - most notably housing. 

“I can see quite clearly, the cost and complexity of building a house is tougher than it’s been in 20 years,” he said. 

“Hence we’re going to have less houses built next year. 

“The OPR - the planning regulator - is not fit for purpose. 

“We’ve huge problems with dependence on apartments that are not viable outside of Dublin; I could go on about judicial reviews but that there is no sign of that being fixed by the best efforts of Darragh O’Brien.” 

Micheál Martin, Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan. Photo: Julie Behal Photography

Mr Yates also predicted that tensions would rise in the coalition ahead of the next election and that Michael McGrath or Darragh O’Brien would likely lead Fianna Fáil by the time people go to the polls. 

“I see more turbulent times ahead,” he said. 

“But iron rule number two - politics always follows economics and we’re into a period now like the 80s where there won’t be the crash, bang wallop of Lehmans and the Troika; we’re going to have a period of more stagflation like the 80s.

“People will see at the end of the year, they’ve less money in their bank account and the cost of living is less than the increase in their earnings.”

The next election must be held by 2025.

Main image: Micheál Martin addresses the UN General Assembly. Image: GIS Press