Following a stunning performance by singer Tolü Makay, conference got underway with outgoing President Michael Smyth's address, adoption of standing orders and motions on housing.

Michael’s speech emphasised the importance of how we all connect to one another, saying "Connection lies at the heart of everything we do as a union. From fostering connections between members and their representatives to building relationships with other unions and civil society organisations, we continue to strengthen those bonds." He noted that Fórsa is "now a greater force to be reckoned with – more so than at any other time in our shared history." 

Michael ended with a moving rallying call to delegates, calling on members "Let’s help to make life what it should be for every human being."

Last night's conference motions on housing got an airing on the RTÉ website and substantial coverage in the Independent, which captures some of the contributions on the housing motions last night, quoting Ger McLoughlin and her very personal account last night of her son's experience.
 
Kevin Callinan spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning about new entrants pay, which RTÉ's Brian O'Donovan covers this morning in his conference preview, while Éamonn Donnelly will be on the Adhmhaidin programme on Radio na Gaeltachta later this morning.
 
In other conference coverage, the Independent previewed the Fórsa conference in Killarney in yesterday's edition, leading with motion 15, by the Finance, PER & Associated Organisations (Clerical and Execuitve) branch, to pursue an additional long service increment.
 
The same piece in the Independent includes comment from the general secretary on last night's housing motions, and comments by NEC member Ursula Cox who will propose the NEC motion (35) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) tomorrow morning.
 
In the debate on housing Fórsa activist Anne Marie Ryan, from the Westmeath health and welfare branch, called on delegates to support the union’s active engagement with government to advocate for “a meaningful and workable resolution to the housing crisis. We want the union to fight for stricter regulations on landlords, developers and commercial funds to ensure fair and affordable housing options for all workers,” she said.

Helen Linehan, from Fórsa’s Cork general clerical branch, said her branch had brought its motion to the conference because so many of her younger work colleagues were still living at home with parents or contemplating emigration because they could not find a home.
Ms Linehan said too many members in civil and public services continue to struggle with high rent costs, and are forced to live further away from their work in order to find more affordable accommodation: “The current situation cannot continue. Workers cannot afford escalating housing costs, and this poses a genuine threat to our public services,” he said.

She called on delegates to support a motion calling on the union to engage with the Government to find housing solutions, including rent controls, State provision of affordable and subsidised housing or the acquisition of housing for civil and public sector workers.

The union’s Municipal Employees branch sought support for the union’s pursuit of “a move back to public and social housing” while the union’s Justice Executive branch sought for the union to establish working relationship with the CATU tenants union and support its campaigns, universal public housing and anti-eviction efforts, and to campaign for more protection for tenants within the current Residential Tenancies.

All motions on housing passed, and the first day of conference was rounded off with Distinguished Service Awards, celebrating the contributions of members who go above and beyond for their colleagues and the union.