Social Democrats and Sinn Féin coalition deal builds on last term but shifts focus to Project S

The Social Democrats and Sinn Féin have agreed a coalition deal for the 47th Government and published a new Programme for Government that largely builds on the previous administration’s agenda, while marking a clear shift in both political structure and policy emphasis.

The new agreement formalises Sinn Féin’s move from a confidence-and-supply partner into government, with the party joining a majority coalition led by the Social Democrats. Under the deal, Ognian0 TD is to remain Taoiseach, while irishRepublicman341 TD is the coalition’s choice for Tánaiste.

That is a notable change from the previous, 46th Programme for Government, under which the Social Democrats governed as a minority administration with Sinn Féin support from outside cabinet. At that time, Sinn Féin had agreed to back the government on key votes including Taoiseach nominations, confidence motions, defence and national security legislation, and Oireachtas reform.

While the political arrangement has changed, the broad direction of travel has not. Much of the new programme continues themes that featured strongly in the previous one, including Seanad reform, support for business, strengthening Ireland’s international position, and efforts to restore activity across the legal and judicial system.

The most striking difference is the prominence now given to Project S. Although the previous programme referred to in-game development and preparing businesses for future launch, the new document places Project S at the centre of government policy and gives it a dedicated section of its own.

It describes Project S as a gateway to a new era for the Irish community, public agencies and politics, and sets out plans to move democracy and campaigning in-game, support approved businesses ahead of launch, establish a national calendar for public and private events, and begin taking steps towards an in-game economy and the creation of the Bank of Ireland.

That represents a more ambitious and more detailed approach than in the previous programme, where the focus was more limited and largely centred on economic preparation, including the proposed establishment of an in-game interest forum for entrepreneurs and existing business owners.

The new programme also suggests that the government believes it has moved beyond groundwork in some areas and is now in a position to be more concrete. Seanad reform is a case in point. In the 46th Programme for Government, the Social Democrats said they would continue the work of the Seanad Reform Working Group and seek a report on different possible models for change. In the new programme, the coalition says it will support campaign groups and bring forward legislation for a two-ballot referendum on Seanad reform, alongside constitutional amendments.

There is a similar progression in the area of electoral reform. The previous government promised to form a consultation group with the Electoral Commission to look at electoral law and campaigning regulations. The new programme goes further, committing to revising the Elections Act 2021 and codifying administrative violations involving elections and party activity, as well as strengthening the commission’s role in responding to them.

On the economy, the latest programme keeps a number of the previous administration’s priorities but develops them further. Last term’s document spoke of restructuring Spotlight, setting up the Irish Union Council, establishing a Foreign Advertisement Hub with international partners, and holding regular job fairs and business roundtables. The new programme again commits to the Foreign Advertisement Hub, this time saying the government will work with the United States and other nations to finalise the framework within its first month.

It also promises a new Reward Reserve to hold Robux for prizes, expanded staffing in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and continued support for businesses through fairs, roundtables and recognition schemes. The language is less about kick-starting the economy than about managing and expanding structures already put in place.

Foreign affairs is another area where the new programme is clearly intended as a continuation of the previous term. The 46th programme promised to expand Ireland’s international profile through new treaties, stronger engagement at the United Nations and joint agreements with other nations. The latest document points to what it describes as the achievements of the previous administration, including the Shannon Accords, the Finland-Ireland Treaty and more than 26 diplomatic engagements, and says those agreements will now be fully implemented.

It also sets out some new ambitions, including broader cooperation with members of the UN Security Council and the Permanent Five, a Multi-Continental Security Initiative, and support for collaboration between the European Space Agency and the Irish Space Agency.

In defence, the tone has also shifted. The earlier programme focused on joint training and the establishment of a Defence Forces Award Scheme. The new one is more legislative, with commitments to revise the legal framework governing the Defence Forces, review military law and punishment systems, and draft legislation on maritime jurisdiction.

In communities, culture and language, the latest programme also moves in a somewhat different direction. The previous administration had promised a joint Communities Server, support for Gaelic members of the community, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the revitalisation of agencies and institutions, and support for the National Ambulance Service.

The new programme keeps some of those themes, particularly in relation to the ambulance service and the Irish language, but places greater emphasis on media and cultural regulation. It says the government will make use of the Press Council, amend the Media Regulation Act, reintroduce a journalism award under a new name, reactivate the Arts Council and invest in RTÉ through the creation of new entertainment series and shows.

Justice policy likewise shows a degree of continuity, but with a stronger focus on implementation. Last term, the government said it would create study guides for aspiring barristers, revive the Standards in Public Office Commission, appoint judges and support moot courts. The new programme goes further in some respects, promising to publish the Bar Exam and a full study guide, reform the Bar Council and hold elections for its membership, revise court procedures to reduce delays, and continue preparations for An Garda Síochána to operate within Project S.

There are, however, measures that featured prominently in the previous programme and are now less central in the new text because they were delivered during the first term. These include the Public Appointments System, the Freedom of Information Act, changes to the Government Transparency Act, and the earlier defence restructuring approach that shifted powers to the Taoiseach. In that context, their reduced profile in the 47th Programme appears to reflect implementation already achieved rather than abandonment.

The make-up of government also reflects the new coalition balance. Jimmy_Jimmies TD remains in Foreign Affairs, but there are changes elsewhere. KamlaPBisessar TD is to become Minister for Justice & Equality, while Australia0513 TD takes on the communities brief and the role of Chief Whip. Wilbeforc TD moves to a junior ministerial role in that department, and dripboss90 is to serve as Leader of the Seanad.

In tone, the 47th Programme for Government is more confident than its predecessor. The previous document was framed around the constraints of minority government and the need to govern through cooperation from outside cabinet. The new one, by contrast, presents itself as the programme of a majority administration with a renewed mandate and a clearer opportunity to deliver.

For all that, it remains recognisably part of the same political project. The strongest impression from the new programme is not of a government changing direction, but of one trying to move from planning and restoration into delivery - with Project S now at the heart of that effort.