The Taoiseach has said a cost of disability support is a defining priority for his Government as he committed to increases in pensions and other supports.
In his keynote address at the 84th Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, Micheál Martin said his party in Government would "tackle high energy and other prices through a programme of investment and reform, give people hope on housing by pushing forward with building new homes and protect those most in need by delivering increases in pensions and other supports".
The Coalition is working to introduce a new cost of disability payment, and Mr Martin said this must be a priority.
"Vindicating the rights of disabled people and empowering them through better access to services, employment, and a cost of disability support is a defining priority for us. We are determined to deliver real and sustained progress on inclusion and equality," he said.
Watch: Martin says cost of disability support a 'defining priority' for Fianna Fáil
Earlier, dozens of demonstrators carrying Palestine flags tried to rush a gate at the conference venue.
Gardaí responded and pushed back protesters, with a number of people getting sprayed with red paint.
Mr Martin told delegates Ireland must work with other countries to demand accountability of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"We must continue to work with other countries to demand accountability for the genocidal crimes which have been committed by the Netanyahu government and by Hamas," he said.
Watch: Protesters attempt to gain entry to Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis venue
The Cork-South Central TD expressed concern of the threat posed by "disruption of trade through tariffs and closed borders".
"We need a new national effort to secure our ability to trade with the world. We have to open new markets - reducing our reliance on traditional ones. We have to build up our presence and our political engagement with more countries," he said.
The Fianna Fáil leader told his party faithful that he was not going to use his speech to attack other political parties or "win a few extra headlines with promises for the next Budget".
He said Ireland faced "specific major challenges", including securing its economic future, reducing cost of living pressures on people, delivering housing and services which people can access and afford and empowering people with the skills and support to thrive in the face of rapid change."
Watch: Taoiseach pledges to 'protect those most in need' at party Ard Fheis
Mr Martin's speech brought the curtain down on an Ard Fheis which coincided with the party's 100th anniversary.
"Over 100 years, we didn't get everything right, but our record is a record of real and sustained achievement which no other party can match," he said.
The Ard Fheis comes after severe turbulence for Mr Martin's leadership following the withdrawal of Fianna Fáil's candidate in the Presidential Election, Jim Gavin, as well as criticism of the Coalition's handling of the fuel protests.
Fianna Fáil faces into two challenging bye-elections next week but Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan rejected an assertion the party has given up on the contests.
Earlier, a potential successor to Mr Martin, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said there was no leadership vacancy in Fianna Fáil and he paid tribute to the work of Mr Martin. Mr O'Callaghan echoed those remarks.
Separately, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said he has not received a proposal from officials regarding a pay increase for the Director General of RTÉ.
Mr Chambers said he would make an informed decision on the matter, if he received a proposal as part of the Senior Pay Remuneration process.
Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless also pledged that the only direction student fees will go on his watch is down.
Mr Lawless also told delegates that he was looking at additional supports for certain groups of students.
He indicated that this could include families experiencing economic disadvantage, students with a disability, as well as families with a number of children in college at the one time.
"That is a situation where you're paying multiple rents. So, I'm looking at targeted measures, identifying particular cohorts that are under pressure, giving those cohorts additional support that they need," he said.
The minister also hailed a decision at this Ard Fheis which will give the party's grassroots a greater say in decisions.
He said this would reinvigorate and reboot the party.
Mr Lawless sought to play down expectations around the bye-elections highlighting that Fianna Fáil has not won one since 1982.
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern was expected to attend this afternoon after standing over remarks he made on immigration in a video posted on social media.
He said yesterday he was wrong to single out one group of people.
Delegates are voting on 101 motions - including a resolution calling for a more robust asylum process.
Read more: Could this be Micheál Martin's last Ard Fheis as Fianna Fáil leader?
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