Martin Daly TD asked the Minister for Finance: Departmental Schemes

Martin Daly, the Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon‑Galway, raised a series of questions in the Dáil on 7 September 2026. He asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether an equality impact assessment, a disability impact assessment and a rural proofing assessment had been carried out before the proposed reforms to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. He also asked whether the findings of those assessments would be published.

Daly, a practising general practitioner from County Roscommon and former president of the Irish Medical Organisation, was appointed his party’s spokesperson on health and disability shortly after his election in November 2025. In the debate he highlighted the importance of ensuring that any changes to the scheme would not disproportionately affect people with disabilities or those living in rural areas, and that the government had a duty to demonstrate that it had considered the impact on equality and accessibility.

The TD’s questions came at a time when the government has been reviewing the disabled drivers and passengers scheme, a programme that allows people with certain disabilities to drive or travel with a companion. The proposed reforms aim to streamline the process and expand eligibility, but critics have warned that without proper assessment the changes could create new barriers.

Daly’s remarks were part of a broader discussion in the Dáil about the need for evidence‑based policy. He urged the Minister to make the assessment reports available to the public, arguing that transparency would help build confidence in the reforms and ensure that the needs of all constituents are taken into account.

Since his election, Daly has balanced his duties as a TD with his work at his GP practice, often attending to patients on Monday and Friday mornings. He has described the role as demanding but has said he remains committed to serving his constituents in Roscommon and the wider county. He has also expressed concerns about a rise in racism in Ireland, though that was not the focus of his questions in the debate.

For the full transcript of the debate, see the Oireachtas record from 7 September 2026.

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