Election 2020

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin shakes hands with Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald as Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar looks on at the final TV leaders’ debate at the RTE studios in Donnybrook in February 2020. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire The Irish Times view on Fianna Fáil/Sinn Féin relations: leaving the door open

If the Fianna Fáil leadership is softening on the idea of a future coalition with Sinn Féin, it’s a reflection of shifting views within the party

FULL ELECTION RESULTS
Counting of votes the 2020 general election at the RDS. Photograph: Damien Eagers 3:02 Fianna Fáil review of 2020 election performance still not ready
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin shakes hands with Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald as Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar looks on at the final TV leaders’ debate at the RTÉ studios in Donnybrook, Dublin in February, 2020. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire 13:02 FF TDs would not exclude Sinn Féin coalition after next election
Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan who has resigned as party chief whip after voting against the Government. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Greens shaken as Joe O’Brien abstains and Hourigan votes against Government
Former senator Catherine Noone pictured with Leo Varadkar and Simon Harris. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times Fine Gael blames poor election result on series of pre-poll gaffes
Seán Lemass ‘would not have envisaged a Fianna Fáil taoiseach managing a coalition government’. Photograph: Independent News And Media/Getty Images Diarmaid Ferriter: What Micheál Martin can learn from Seán Lemass
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin emergingfrom the Convention Centre after being elected as Taoiseach. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times Martin acknowledges disappointment from many on missing out on minister jobs
President Michael D Higgins presents the new Ministers with their seals of office. Photograph: Maxwells 7:34 The making of a taoiseach: Fianna Fáil’s return to power marred by bitter in-fighting
Green Party’s Neasa Hourigan: With Marc Ó Cathasaigh, she is a likely contender for the chair of the climate change committee. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Committee chairperson roles: Who is in line for what?
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald. Voters for her party are ‘entitled to a fair hearing. But no one is entitled to fractional legislative victories’, says political scientist Arthur Isak Applbaum. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins How do you identify a legitimate government?
Former minister for education Joe McHugh has turned down the offer of a junior ministry. Photograph: Leon Farrell/PA Wire Leaders spark anger as they look west for junior minister carve-up
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin arriving at Dublin Castle on Monday. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA Wire 6:04 How the Government can woo young Sinn Féin supporters
Travellers’ rights activist and now Senator Eileen Flynn. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Travellers have fought for ’over 30 years to be around political table’ new Seanad told
Outgoing taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the Convention Centre on Saturday. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins 4:02 Fine Gael has its work cut out to avoid identity crisis in coalition
In his first speech in the office Taoiseach Micheál Martin remembered a “blessed” childhood in a “close-knit working-class community” in Cork. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images 8:18 Miriam Lord: The west is irate as Micheál shifts power balance to Cork
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan at the Convention Centre in Dublin on Saturday. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times What the Greens need to do to make their mark in Government
President Michael D Higgins presents new Ministers with their seal of office. Photograph: Maxwells Lack of female Ministers is a ‘missed opportunity’, women’s groups say
Eoghan Murphy, Josepha Madigan, Richard Bruton and Charlie Flanagan lost their Cabinet positions following the carve-up of roles between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party Eight high-profile Fine Gael ministers have lost their Cabinet positions
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin arrives at the Convention Centre in Dublin on Saturday. Photograph: Aidan Crawley/EPA Micheál Martin pledges jobs initiative as he is endorsed as Taoiseach
President Michael D Higgins presents new Ministers with their Seal of Office on Saturday night. Sweeping changes as new Cabinet unveiled
Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin is now Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht. Who is in the new Cabinet? Members in profile
Michael McGrath: We will be entering a period of great challenge. File Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Michael McGrath: It’s time for a more mature politics
Michael Collins and Eamon De Valera. Photograph: Getty/Irish Times Historic coalition agreement ends almost a century of Civil War politics
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin after announcing his party members voted for the programme for government. Photograph: Damien Eagers/PA Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin to be elected taoiseach after Greens back deal
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan announces that the party had voted in support of the proposed programme for government. Photograph: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie Miriam Lord: Immovable object beds down with irresistible force
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addressing the media outside the Fine Gael party headquarters in Dublin on Friday afternoon. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Air bridges, budgets, climate: challenges face new cabinet
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announcing on Friday, outside Fine Gael headquarters in Dublin, that the party’s members had voted in favour of the programme for government. Photograph: Damien Eagers/PA Wire Broad outline of Cabinet emerges as issues remain unresolved
Fianna Fail Leader Micheál Martin TD at the party’s press conference on Friday evening. Photograph Nick Bradshaw New government to be formed as Greens, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ratify deal
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin set to be next taoiseach. Photograph: Damien Eagers/PA Activists, trade union leaders and employers welcome government agreement
The result is a spectacular vindication for Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, above. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins Pat Leahy: Spectacular vindication for Eamon Ryan who coaxed and beseeched party over the line
Eoghan Murphy is expected to take up a position which will link the Fine Gael party organisation and the parliamentary party. Photograph: Damien Eagers Cabinet carve-up: Jobs in new government handed out but no ministry for Varadkar ally Eoghan Murphy
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan before government-formation talks at Government Buildings, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins 4:22 Making a Cabinet: Eamon Ryan set to head up new department of climate action and transport
The leaders of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Greens were expected to meet on Thursday to decide how to configure government departments and allocate individual portfolios to each party. Graphic: The Irish Times/Paul Scott C-Day: Everything you need to know about today's political drama
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met on Thursday to discuss the structure of the proposed new government. Photograph: Caroline Quinn/Damien Eagers/Leon Farrell/PA Wire Coalition or political crisis? Verdict of FF, FG and Green members to be revealed this evening
Minister of State Finian McGrath said the Green Party will have to learn how to compromise over the term of the next government if the deal passes. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill 2:25 Result of Greens’ vote on programme for government may be ‘on a knife edge’
Clare Bailey, the leader of the northern Greens, does not identify as unionist or nationalist in the Northern Assembly, but as ‘feminist’. Photograph: Tom Honan Diarmaid Ferriter: Complaints over northern Greens are partitionist and ridiculous
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe: the deadline for candidacies is on Thursday. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Donohoe expected to bid for presidency of Eurogroup
File photo from June 15th Leo Varadkar on one of his last duties as Taoiseach. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Miriam Lord: Leo keeps it brief for last speech before Dáil packed with about 11 people
Neasa Hourigan has been at the centre of a breakdown in relations within its parliamentary party. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill It’s time to defang the attacks and reunite the Green Party
Eamon Ryan said the programme for government contained ambitious climate targets. Eamon Ryan: Rejection of deal would lead to difficult situation
Independent Sean Canney: “I am always open to discussing the formation of a government.” Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins Independents call on FF and FG to reopen talks on government if current deal fails
Michael Healy-Rea: “The Taoiseach, as far as I’m concerned, has no right if this falls through to get into his car and go to the Áras.” 2:21 Most Independents willing to talk to larger parties if government deal is rejected
According to sources, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan may announce a review of the controversial legislation. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin Government considers review of Offences Against the State Act
Senators will argue on Wednesday that there is no constitutional impediment to the summoning of a Seanad with 49, rather than 60, members. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times Seanad row heads to court amid political drama and threat of lapsing legislation
Each party will count the votes on Friday and the result should be known by early evening. 4:45 Explainer: What happens if one of the parties vote against coalition?
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan is in favour of the party entering government. File photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins 2:44 Green Party enters final stages of intense debate on entering government
US actor Mark Ruffalo. Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo enlisted by Green Party in bid for government support
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan: engaged in intensive campaigning at the weekend to persuade membership to back the coalition programme. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins 3:17 Sharp divisions between FF and FG on what next if Greens reject coalition
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan: “I don’t believe it would be possible or in the national interest to go into another prolonged negotiation process” Greens’ leader in North says draft programme not the change people voted for
Saoirse McHugh said that a “true Green New Deal recognises that action to combat climate change will not be successful unless it simultaneously ushers in social and economic reforms that will distribute opportunity more fairly and tackle inequality”. Photograph: Michael Mc Laughlin Saoirse McHugh and three others appeal to Green members to reject deal
Micheál Martin, the ‘next taoiseach’ since 1998
Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin said that if the Greens entered government they would keep the commitments of the programme for government under constant review. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill 2:48 Taoiseach dismisses Green TD’s suggestion of a renegotiation of terms of government
Failure to agree a government would pitch the country into a major political crisis next weekend. Photograph: Alan Betson Greens’ next move will have a long-lasting effect on Irish politics
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Miriam Lord: Who will get the big jobs if new coalition gets the Green light?
Micheál Martin: presumably both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael realise that if they are caught again having to impose actual austerity, then the political consequences would be enormous. Photograph: Alan Betson The next government faces tough calls – but do not call it ‘austerity’
FF deputy leader Dara Calleary said there has been very positive engagement and criticism had been less than was anticipated. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill 4:40 FF TDs report positive reaction to deal but fear for party’s identity in coalition
Deputy Eamon Ó Cuív told Fianna Fáil members the coalition would end up creating a political system with two large parties, but Fianna Fáil would not be one of them. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/ The Irish Times Coalition will be ‘beginning of the end for Fianna Fáil’, O Cuív warns party members
Catherine Martin: “We must put the country first and never let it be said that we did not at times do all in our power to protect the planet.” Photograph: Gareth Chaney Greens’ deputy leader strongly endorses programme for government at party conference
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: he said he would like to see the new government have at least 90 TDs to ensure its viability. Photograph: getty Images 2:45 ‘Coalition’ parties to meet Independents as they seek further support
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan: The party needs to get approval from two thirds of its members if it is to enter coalition. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times 3:37 Greens to discuss coalition deal in eight-hour online convention
The Green Party’s Ossian Smyth (left), pictured with other members of the party’s negotiating team Roderic O’Gorman and Neasa Hourigan at Leinster House last month. Photograph Nick Bradshaw / The Irish Times Green Party negotiators at odds over merits of government deal
PRSI increases could be on the cards. File photograph: Getty Images/iStockphoto Programme for government could mean PRSI increases across the board
A new scheme will seek to retrofit 500,000 homes by 2030 on a ‘aggregated’ model – meaning that certain towns or areas will be retrofitted at the same time to achieve economies of scale. File photograph: Frank Miller Programme for government: What are the main points in the five-year plan?
Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar (right) and Tánaiste Simon Coveney speaking to the media at Government Buildings in Dublin on Monday. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA Wire. Varadkar warns of ‘political crisis’ if coalition goverment plan is rejected
Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin: “There were never going to be, nor could there have been, outright winners in these negotiations and clearly we did not get everything we sought.” File photograph: Laura Hutton 3:40 TDs and senators back ‘best achievable’ programme for government
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan at Government Buildings on Monday. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green parliamentary parties endorse programme for government
Simon Coveney and Paschal Donohoe greeting Green PAEamon Ryan Leader of the Green Party as he arrives for talks on Government formation at Government BuildingsPhotograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times Miriam Lord: Two meat and veg government finally on the menu
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar leaves Government Buildings at the end of coalition talks on Sunday. Photograph: Alan Betson Irish Times poll: Varadkar to leave taoiseach’s office with approval numbers off the charts
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin, and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Photograph: Caroline Quinn/Damien Eagers/Leon Farrell/PA Wire Irish Times poll: Almost half of Green voters support proposed coalition
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will be taoiseach first under the arrangement to rotate the office with Fine Gael, the first time such an arrangement has happened in Irish politics. Photograph: Tom Honan Martin to step down as taoiseach in December 2022
The new government will introduce a new auto-enrolment pension model. Photograph: iStock Programme for government: Rise in pension age to be deferred
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin leaving Government Buildings in Dublin after finalising the text of a programme for government with the leaders of Fine Gael and the Green Party. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times Programme for government: Carbon tax increases but no hikes in income tax or USC
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Simon Coveney speaking to the media at Government Buildings, Dublin, on Monday. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA Wire ‘Meddling Irish PM removed’: How the government deal was reported abroad
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan arrives at Government Buildings on Merrion Street, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos Dáil to elect new government on Saturday June 27th if programme ratified
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks at Leinster House after Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens finalised the text of a draft programme for government four months on from the election. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Sinn Féin will provide ‘most effective opposition in history of State’
The parties will also seek to increase the capitation grant with a view to reducing the reliance on voluntary contributions made to schools. Photograph: Getty images Programme for government: ‘Future of education’ assembly to be set up
There is a promise to bolster Garda powers against white-collar crime including amending legislation to ensure prosecutions happen more quickly. Photograph: Mark Condren/PA Wire Programme for government: New unit to seek ‘shared island consensus’
A pledge is also made to develop a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training in the Curragh. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin Programme for government: Referendum to be held on extending presidential vote
Programme for government: ‘Living wage’ to be promoted
There will be a review of the National Development Plan launched two year ago by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times Programme for government: ‘Well-being’ index to measure progress
Tánaiste Simon Coveney, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan meet for talks on Government formation at Government Buildings. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times. 4:14 Strongly Green-influenced programme for government drawn up
Simon Coveney and Paschal Donohoe greet Eamon Ryan as he arrives for talks on government formation at Government Buildings. Photograph: Alan Betson 5:03 Programme for government: Will this one fly?
Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe at Government Buildings on Sunday. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Martin confident government programme will be signed off on Monday
Tánaiste Simon Coveney (left) and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe (right) greet Green Party leader Eamon Ryan as he arrives at Government Buildings. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times New Government document sees changes in environmental, transport policies
Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty: ‘These parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil specifically, cannot be trusted.’ Photograph: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie New government deal ‘not the change that people voted for’, says Doherty
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and his team arrive at Government Buildings.Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins After the programme for government is agreed, what’s next?
The Skellig Star direct provision accommodation centre in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry. Direct Provision system to be ended within life of next government
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan near Leinster House in Dublin. File photograph: Collins FF, FG and Greens agree ‘most of programme for government’ in marathon talks
The 11 appointed senators are known as ‘the Taoiseach’s 11’. FF, FG and Greens carve up ‘Taoiseach’s 11’ nominees to Seanad
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan TD at Leinster House. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins 4:56 Shifting sands within Green Party signal a clash of culture as well as personalities
Scientists, climate campaigners and most Greens insist in that context livestock numbers must be reduced after years of sustained expansion. Photograph: Getty Images Methane, cattle and 7% - The crunch climate issues in the government formation talks
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan at Leinster House. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Government formation talks: Eamon Ryan faces toughest internal battle
Tánaiste Simon Coveney: told a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting some ‘heavy lifting’ still needed to be done in the talks. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland 3:22 Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Greens on brink of deal to form government
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and deputy leader Catherine Martin at a press conference last February. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Stephen Collins: Divided Greens will make for unstable coalition
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA Changes to farming a sticking point in government talks
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan with deputy leader Catherine Martin and TDs Roderic O’Gorman and Neasa Hourigan are all involved in the government formation talks. File photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos 3:44 Greens reject proposal for 6.5% annual emissions reduction
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan with deputy leader Catherine Martin: Prompting another general election would be an extraordinary gamble for the Greens. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins 3:35 What happens if the three parties fail to reach an agreement?
Sources in all three parties agree the talks on forming a coalition government must reach a decisive stage this week. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times Coalition talks reach ‘do-or-die’ stage as parties struggle to make progress
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and deputy leader Catherine Martin: some in the party feel the timing of leadership challenge is not ideal. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times Greens as prone to splits as any other party