33rd Dáil to meet for first time since election

Good morning

At noon today, the 33rd Dáil meets for the first time since the general election in what will largely be a day of pageantry and ceremony.

It is a big day in the lives of those 160 people returned as TDs to Dáil Eireann, and the first sitting day is usually a happy occasion that sees deputies bring their families to Leinster House.

Everyone will be decked out in their finery. The bar, canteen and restaurant will be packed all day with new arrivals to the Dáil, those relieved to have been re-elected, and their families and friends. As is usual, the first business on opening day will be the election of the Ceann Comhairle.

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Marie O'Halloran reports Independent Denis Naughten and Fianna Fáil's Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who held the position in the last Dáil, are the only two candidates for the position. Ó Fearghaíl is widely seen as the favourite, and his election would reduce Fianna Fáil's Dáil numbers from 38 to 37 - on par with Sinn Féin.

Once the Ceann Comhairle is elected - the process is estimated to take around three hours - attention will turn to the election of the Taoiseach. Leo Varadkar, Micheál Martin, Mary Lou McDonald and Eamon Ryan will all try and fail to secure the support of the House.

Varadkar will then tender his resignation to President Michael D Higgins, but he and his Government will remain on in a caretaker capacity.

An explainer of how the Ceann Comhairle is elected, and what the proceedings are in the votes for Taoiseach, is here.

While the votes for Taoiseach will reflect the so-far fruitless attempts to form a government since polling day on February 8th, they will also mark a point in the process to form a new administration.

Martin last night announced his government-formation negotiating team, as Jennifer Bray reports here, and the Greens will engage in substantive discussions with potential suitors from next week on. Sinn Féin continues its talks with Independents and smaller parties, while Fine Gael maintains its position that it wants to return to Opposition.

So how long before we have a government? Within two months, it seems, with Martin telling his parliamentary party last night it could be April before a Taoiseach is elected.

Best reads

On the op-ed pages, Newton Emerson says Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to set out the terms for Sinn Féin's participation in government.

“If they do not try to set the terms for Sinn Féin’s participation in government, Sinn Féin will do it for them,” he writes.

Miriam Lord takes the temperature on another day of "constructive engagements" and photo ops in Leinster House, with newbie TDs given an orientation course yesterday.

“Important stuff, like who sits where and why, where and how to vote, what not to do in the chamber, how to create a scene and get thrown out for the benefit of the local papers and how to vote for yourself and a party colleague by pressing two different buttons at the one time,” says Lord.

Playbook

The Dáil convenes at noon, and the day’s events start with Peter Finnegan, the clerk of the Dáil, reading the proclamation from President Michael D Higgins summoning Dáil Eireann.

Mr Finnegan will then read the names of all 160 TDs and their constituencies into the record.

The election of a Ceann Comhairle will take place over two-and-half to three-and-a-half hours from 12.25pm.

After that, the House will try and fail to elect a Taoiseach. Current Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will then travel to Áras an Uachtaráin to tender his resignation but will remain on in a caretaker capacity, as will his Government.

The Dáil will then adjourn for two weeks.