Main Points:
- Taoiseach: Micheál Martin (FF)
- Tánaiste/Minister for Foreign Affairs/Minister for Trade: Simon Harris (FG)
- Minister for Finance: Paschal Donohoe (FG)
- Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform: Jack Chambers (FF)
- Minister for Justice: Jim O’Callaghan (FF)
- Minister for Health: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (FG)
- Minister for Education: Helen McEntee (FG)
- Minister for Housing: James Browne (FF)
- Minister for Transport, Environment and Climate Change: Darragh O’Brien (FF)
- Minister for Social Protection and Rural Affairs: Dara Calleary (FF)
- Minister for Children and Disability: Norma Foley (FF)
- Minister for Enterprise and Employment: Peter Burke (FG)
- Minister for Higher Education: James Lawless (FF)
- Minister for Social Protection: Dara Calleary (FF)
- Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications: Patrick O’Donovan (FG)
- Minister for Agriculture: Martin Heydon (FG)
- Chief Whip: Mary Butler (FF)
- Attorney-General: Rossa Fanning SC
Various world leaders have moved to congratulate Taoiseach Micheál Martin on his election today.
Meanwhile, the business of the new Government is already underway.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is briefing members of his new Cabinet tonight on the potential impact and preparations for Storm Éowyn overnight and Friday, our Political Correspondent Jack Horgan-Jones tells me.
Mr Martin will also begin preparations for establishing the new unit on disability that will sit in the Department of Taoiseach.
Over the coming days, the Taoiseach will meet with Ministers and secretary-generals to outline the priorities for the coming weeks and months.
On Monday, he will attend a ceremony to commemorate 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz.
As mentioned earlier, the new Cabinet is dominated by men. The election in November gave Ireland the lowest proportion of female parliamentarians in Western Europe, with a 75:25 ratio of men to women.
Only three of the 15 Ministers are women: Helen McEntee, Jennier Carroll MacNeill and Norma Foley, which makes for a ratio of 80:20 of men to women.
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has said it is “deeply disappointing” that the number of women in cabinet has reduced by 25 per cent to just three.
“There are now as many men named James in the Cabinet as there are women,” she said.
Indeed, various lobby groups are out in force, scrambling for the ears of the new Ministers.
The Irish Pharmacy Union says it is looking forward to “early engagement” with new Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.
In particular, it has called for “immediate action” to support community pharmacists.
The group’s president Tom Murray says the sustainability of community pharmacies is at risk due to “outdated policies and lack of resources”.
Elsewhere, the Small Firms Association is urging Minister for Enterprise and Employment Peter Burke to introduce a temporary PRSI rebate for small businesses “as soon as possible”.
Meanwhile, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland has told Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee that the recruitment and retention crisis “is worsening” and schools are experiencing “unprecedented difficulties” filling vacancies.
The National Youth Council of Ireland has welcomed the Government’s decision to move responsibility for youth and youth work to the reconfigured Department of Education and Youth.
It says this decision demonstrates a “continued commitment to recognising and prioritising the needs and challenges of young people in Ireland”.
The group’s chief executive Mary Cunningham said the “renewed focus on youth” sends a “strong message that young people remain central to government policy and that youth work is valued for its transformative impact on individuals and communities”.
However, the council has urged the new Government to appoint a junior minister with responsibility for youth, as well to establish a Cabinet sub-committee for youth, and an Oireachtas committee for youth.
No Minister from the Border regions
The retirement of former Fine Gael TD from Monaghan, Heather Humphreys, and the dropping of Donegal Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue (who was Minister for Agriculture in the outgoing government) means there is no longer a Minister from the Border region in the Cabinet.
The poor geographical spread of Ministers has been another theme of Opposition criticism relating to the make-up of the Cabinet.
Only one Minister is from the Connacht-Ulster region while a majority (11) of Ministers come from the eastern counties of the State, especially Dublin.
Vótáil
The voting on the nomination of Ministers by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin is happening now. It’s the final business of the House. Once it is concluded the Dáil will adjourn until February 5th.
Update: The vote, which was done by roll-call, has concluded. The new Cabinet was approved by Dáil Éireann by a margin of 97 votes to 72.
Three women in the new Cabinet
The gender balance in the new Cabinet has been criticised by the Opposition.
Only three of the 15 Ministers are women: Helen McEntee, Jennier Carroll MacNeill and Norma Foley.
That is one less than the total number in the 2020 Government, when there were four.
In her speech to the Dáil on the appointments, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she had a sense of déjà vu. She honed in on the gender split, saying that the Cabinet looked very male and pale.
She has also criticised the fact that this Government will have the largest number of Ministers in the history of the State.
She also criticised the role of Michael Lowry saying that he had changed from being a “rogue politician” to being a “kingmaker” in the formation of this Government.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik has also criticised the reduction in the number of women in Cabinet from four to three.
Ursula von der Leyen finally gets her timing right
New Cabinet is named in Dáil
Micheál Martin has just named his Cabinet in the Dáil. There are six new Ministers but no place for Charlie McConalogue in the Cabinet.
He is the only serving Minister who has lost his position.
Four of the new Ministers are from Fianna Fáil; the remaining two from Fine Gael.
There were sustained handshakes from colleagues for the six new members of Cabinet: Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill; Martin Heydon; James Lawless; James Browne; Jim O’Callaghan; and Dara Calleary.
Rossa Fanning SC will remain as Attorney-General for a second term.
There will now be a debate on the appointments.
Micheál Martin speaks about Gaza and Ukraine in his speech, in which he outlines the Government’s priorities.
Like he did in his acceptance speech earlier, he has focused on foreign affairs and again returns to the importance of the State’s relationship with the United Kingdom.
Hildegarde Naughton retains her super-junior ministerial role
Hildegarde Naughton retains her super-junior role but might have been expected to win promotion.
The Galway West TD was Chief Whip but because Simon Harris is no longer taoiseach, that key position reverts to Fianna Fáil.
Jennifer Bray is reporting that she will be the super-junior Minister of State with responsibility for disability.
Martin Heydon is the new Minister for Agriculture
The Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon, is the new Minister for Agriculture succeeding Charlie McConalogue. He has previously been a junior minister in the Department. He has been a TD since 2011.
Charlie McConalogue only outgoing Minister to lose out
The Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal, who was Minister for Agriculture, was not expected to lose his position but is not among the 15 Cabinet members confirmed by our political staff.
Nor will he get the Fianna Fáil super-junior position previously held by Dara Calleary. That will go to Mary Butler of Waterford who will be Government Chief Whip.
It is being received as something of a surprise.
Has he accepted a Minister of State position or is he returning to the back-benches?
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is the new Minister for Health
The Dún Laoghaire TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is promoted to the Department of Health, and will succeed Stephen Donnelly, who lost his seat in the 2024 general election.
Carroll MacNeill has long been talked about as a potential senior Minister. First elected in 2020, she has been a Minister of State in the Department of Health and also was the Minister of State for European Affairs. Jennifer Bray is reporting that her appointment is confirmed.
Ministers confirmed so far by The Irish Times
- Taoiseach - Micheál Martin
- Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Minister for Defence - Simon Harris
- Finance - Paschal Donohoe
- Justice, Home Affairs and Migration - Jim O’Callaghan
- Education - Helen McEntee
- Housing, Local Government and Heritage - James Browne
- Climate, Environment, Energy and Transport - Darragh O’Brien
- Social Protection, Rural Affairs, Gaeltacht - Dara Calleary
- Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Reform- Jack Chambers
- Enterprise, Tourism and Employment - Peter Burke
- Arts, Media, Culture, Communications, Sport - Patrick O’Donovan
- Higher Education, Research, Innovation - James Lawless
- Children, Disability and Equality - Norma Foley
- Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine - Martin Heydon
- Health - Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Also Mary Butler as Chief Whip which is a super junior position, with responsibility for mental health.
Hildegarde Naughton is a super junior Minister for State with responsibility for disability.
James Lawless confirmed as Minister for Higher Education
The Kildare North TD, James Lawless, was very prominent during the election campaign and as a caretaker Minister in the Department of Transport in recent weeks, especially over the crisis facing Holyhead Port.
Pat Leahy has reported his confirmation as Minister for Higher Education, a post previously filled by Patrick O’Donovan and Simon Harris.
He is another person who was being mentioned but not with a huge degree of confidence. Not as big a surprise as Calleary but a surprise nonetheless.
Peter Burke stays in the Department of Enterprise
The Longford-Westmeath TD was only appointed to Cabinet in April after Simon Harris became Taoiseach and with his background in accountancy and business, it is not a surprise that the remains in the role. Pat Leahy reports that his appointment has been confirmed.
Norma Foley will move to Department of Children
The outgoing Minister for Education will take on Roderic O’Gorman’s old department, which will now include the disabilities responsibility. Jennifer Bray reports that her appointment is confirmed.
The Kerry TD was a cert for retaining a senior department, although some thought she would remain in Education.
Dara Calleary is Minister for Social Protection and Rural Affairs
The biggest surprise of the day is Dara Calleary’s appointment as Minister for Social Protection and Rural Affairs. Pat Leahy is reporting that the Mayo TD has been given Heather Humphreys’ former Department. Calleary’s name was not being prominently mentioned in the run-up to Government formation.
He was a super-junior but the consensus was he would stay in that role.
James Browne is new Minister for Housing: Darragh O’Brien Moves to Transport and Climate Change
From Pat Leahy just now. The Wexford TD James Browne succeeds Darragh O’Brien as the new Minister for Housing while O’Brien moves over to take Eamon Ryan’s former Department of Transport, Environment and Climate Change.
Was O’Brien’s move prompted in part by the poor housing figures for 2024 published today?
Paschal Donohoe is Minister for Finance and Jack Chambers gets DPER.
Pachal Donohoe’s appointment, along with that of Jack Chambers imminent appointment as Minister for Public Expenditure, is the least surprising of the announcements. Jack Horgan-Jones has confirmed the appointment.
There was never any likelihood that Donohoe would not get this (excuse the double negative) especially given his crucial role in the last week of Fine Gael’s election campaign.
Helen McEntee confirmed as Minister or Education
Pat Leahy reports that The Meath East TD is now Minister for Education. She had previously been Minister for Justice.
Patrick O’Donovan also looks set to stay in Cabinet. His team has entered Government Buildings.
Other possible Fianna Fáil promotions include Mary Butler as Chief Whip
It now looks probable that Mary Butler will be appointed chief whip, according to our political team. Political editor Pat Leahy, and our political correspondents Jennifer Bray and Jack Horgan-Jones are also reporting that Darragh O’Brien may move from Housing to Transport and Environment/Climate, while Norma Foley is being earmakred for Children; Dara Calleary for Social Protection; and James Browne for Housing.
If Calleary is promoted to the senior ranks, it will see him make a comeback, four years after resigning as Minister for Agriculture over Golfgate.
Nothing certain yet as there is always the possibility of last-minute changes.
The position of Chief Whip will be an important one in the 34th Dáil which will be partisan, with a chance that the extraordinary scenes of yesterday were not a once-off.
Jim O’Callaghan is Minister for Justice
The Dublin Bay South TD Jim O’Callaghan has been promoted from the Fianna Fáil backbenches to be appointed Minister for Justice, Jennifer Bray reports.
A senior counsel, O’Callaghan turned down a junior ministerial post in 2020 and was not seen as close to Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
He was seen going into Government Buildings a short while ago.
The Long Wait
The new Taoiseach Micheál Martin has arrived back in Government Buildings and has started the process of naming his Cabinet. Those who have been chosen as Ministers will be called over from Leinster House one by one over the next hour.
There has been endless speculation about who will get preferment - there will be five new Ministers at least. On the Fine Gael side, it looks like Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Martin Heyden are nailed-on.
It is a little less certain on the Fianna Fáil side. Remember 2020 when Dara Calleary, the deputy leader, did not get a call. The three names being most mentioned are Jim O’Callaghan (Justice); Mary Butler (Children and Disabilities) and James Browne (Environment and Climate Change). But James Lawless and Calleary are also being mentioned.
The moment of truth will be shortly after 5pm when the Dáil is due to resume and the chamber will vote on the new Cabinet. The House is expected to rise at 7pm ahead of the incoming storm.
There have been so many delays and suspensions over the past 24 hours that few will be surprised if that timetable is not faithfully followed.
New Taoiseach has received seal of office from the President
President Michael D Higgins greeted Micheál Martin in the drawing room of the Áras and both move into the State Reception Room, where the papers were signed and Martin received his seal of office.
In the drawing room, Sabina Higgins has greeted Mary Martin and the three Martin children, Micheál Aodh, Aoibhe and Cilian.
The President and the Taoiseach have retired to an ante room for a private conversation.
Next step is the process is the return to Leinster House to choose the new Cabinet.
More reaction to election of Micheál Martin
Marie O’Halloran writes: The Taoiseach is now leaving Leinster House to head to Áras an Uachtaráin to receive his seal of office from President Michael D Higgins. He has been shaking hands and hugging colleagues and friends to huge applause, even louder as he hugs and kisses his wife Mary.
In the Dáil Fine Gael leader Simon Harris had noted the significance of the day for Mr Martin because when he first became Taoiseach in 2020 it was during the Covid pandemic and his family could not attend.
New Taoiseach leaves Leinster House to travel to Áras an Uachtaráin
Micheál Martin has emerged from Leinster House along with his family to be greeted with loud cheers by a guard of honour of Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators, as well as a large number of supporters and well-wishers.
It’s different now from Covid in 2020 when restrictions on gatherings prevented such an occasion on his first election as Taoiseach.
His has embraced his wife Mary. Their three adult children, Micheál Aodh, Aoibhe and Cillian, are nearby.
He is clearly enjoying the moment, shaking hands with, and hugging, his supporters as he moves across the front garden of Leinster House.
He is now travelling by car to the Phoenix Park where he will receive his seal of office from President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin.
The Dáil has been adjourned for three hours and will sit at 5pm.
In the meantime, Martin will choose his Cabinet, summoning the Ministers, returning and new, across the elevated bridge that connects Leinster House and Government Buildings.
New Taoiseach puts strengthening of relationships with European, US and UK at centre of Government’s work
Micheál Martin has vowed to strengthen the State’s three essential relationships internationally - with Europe, with the United States and with the United Kingdom - during his term as Taoiseach.
In his speech to the Dáil on his nomination as Taoiseach, Mr Martin said that those relationships wail be central Ireland’s economic model which delivers high employment and resources for public services.
“We will not flinch in our support for protecting Europe’s freedom and democracy,” he told the Dáil shortly after being elected to lead the new Government.
Turning to the United States and its new President Donald Trump he said, that Ireland will not “naive” about the realities of change that have occurred there.
Our relationship of kinship with the United States is older than our state. It has endured because we have continued to renew bonds of respect and cooperation.
“Equally the Ireland-America relationship is one which benefits us both and it will emerge strongly no matter what,” he said.
He said that the UK would remain a “close social, cultural and economic neighbour for us. We will begin operating a new systematic approach to consultation and cooperation”.
In a wide-ranging speech Mr Martin, focused on the influence of his family, his wife Mary, his children, Micheál Aodh, Aoibhe and Cillian , as well as to his late parents Paddy and Lana.”
“Yesterday was the anniversary of the passing of my father. This week every year I remember all he did for us and the values which he lived by every day,” he said.
“A strong and athletic sporting man he was also quiet and determined in the small and large steps he took every day to help others.”
The Taoiseach also pledged to focus on disabilities, housing, nature and biodiversity.
He also said the the “true republicanism” he would pursue was not about following the east but about creating new ways forward.
“We will implement the largest ever programme of North/South research and investment,” he said.
He also promised that Ireland would have an active voice in supporting peace and cooperation and would participate in a sustained programme of aid for Gaza, following the “profoundly welcome ceasefire.”
Micheál Martin elected as Taoiseach
A day later than expected, the Dáil has elected Micheal Martin as Taoiseach by 95 votes to 76, writes Pat Leahy.
Mr Martin will now travel from Leinster House to Áras an Uachtaráin where he will be formally appointed to the State’s highest political office by President Michael D Higgins. He will then return to the Taoiseach’s Office where he will begin the process of notifying the members of his Cabinet.
Mr Martin’s election as Taoiseach for the second time – the first was in 2020, during the pandemic – became inevitable when the row over speaking rights for Independent TDs who are supporting the Government was resolved, at least for now, by an uneasy agreement between the party leaders and the Ceann Comhairle this morning.
Mr Martin was nominated by Albert Dolan, Fianna Fail’s youngest TD and seconded by Dublin South Central TD Catherine Ardagh. Outgoing Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris also spoke warmly about Mr Martin, pledging to work in partnership with him and to present five budgets in the five years of the incoming administration.
The Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was also nominated by her party, with both proposer Mairead Farrell and seconder Pearse Doherty spending much of their speeches attacking the government. With Mr Martin’s election, however, no vote was taken on Ms McDonald’s nomination.
Opposition issues raised
Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan said Independent Michael Lowry’s involvement in the Government’s formation “makes a complete mockery of any claims this new Government champions ethical standards in public life”.
He said it is a “new low in Irish politics”.
Hitting out at housing policy, he pointed to the figures released today that the Government had failed to meet its housing target last year with only 30,000 houses completed.
Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger said Ireland needed a movement to “challenge” the current role of capitalism in the world, citing the role of US president Donald Trump and said a “more left, anti-capitalist” section must be included in the opposition.
People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett said his party would not support a Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil taoiseach after the Government’s attempt to have Government TDs on the Opposition benches.
He described it as “utterly outrageous” that they were “facing three months without a functioning Dáil” while ill children could not get two weeks’ respite.
Ireland returning to ‘bad old days of stroke politics’ - Bacik
Labour leader Ivana Bacik called for the Dáil to return next week and claimed Ireland is returning to the “bad old days of stroke politics” with Fianna Fáil in charge, writes Marie O’Halloran.
She said “change is desperately needed,” and called the Regional Independent Group the “wobbly leg of the stool” of Government.
Ms Bacik added that there is “no sense of a radical reset on housing policy” and described the Programme for Government as regressive.
Highlighting the Government’s plans for road building, she paraphrased US president Donald Trump’s catchphrase “roads, baby, roads”.
“What’s wrong with a few roads?” quipped Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae.
Ms Bacik also asked what deals were agreed that were not in the 162 pages of the Programme for Government. Many people were in despair at Michael Lowry’s involvement in Government formation, she said.
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty tells Dáil he has new information in relation to Michael Lowry and Doncaster Rovers deal
In the Dáil chamber, Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty said he had new information to unveil in relation to Michael Lowry and a 1998 deal which involved the purchase of Doncaster Rovers Football Club Ltd (DRFC), writes Jennifer Bray.
In his tribunal report, Mr Justice Michael Moriarty concluded that Mr Lowry was, at an early stage, involved in some way in the 1998 Doncaster Rovers transaction, despite the evidence from Lowry, businessman Denis O’Brien and others, that the deal belonged solely to O’Brien.
Mr Doherty told the Dáil: “To set the record straight about his involvement in the Doncaster deal, the purchase of Doncaster football club funded by Denis O’Brien – a deal the deputy swore he had no part in and wasn’t to benefit from. This was totally false. Let me put some new information onto the record. Deputy Lowry had 57 meetings in relation to the Doncaster deal – including here in the houses of the Oireachtas – with the organiser of the project and sports representatives. And in the boardroom of Doncaster football club itself.
“Will he explain also, in September and October 2001, why his accountant paid the person putting the Doncaster deal together two bank drafts of £32,500 and £25,000 for his fee? And when he is doing it maybe he will explain why these payments, made from an account in Gibraltar, were never disclosed to the tribunal.
“Or will he use his time to explain to this house and the public, why he, on 15 March 2001, met with other key individuals in these deals in Dublin? The outcome of that meeting was the creation of a false narrative and fake new documents. Fake documents that were given to the tribunal.
“Maybe he should explain why he and two others went to a rural farm, on August 2002, to burn the original documents pertaining to these deals. He did so to make sure that the truth would never see the light of day. This information comes directly from one of the other men present. Micheál Martin, you called on the then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny, to reopen the investigation into Michael Lowry.
“You did this on the back of information given to me by this same individual. How do you square the circle – that far from looking for him to be investigated – you allow him to play the role of king maker?
“You are handing him substantial influence over this incoming Government. Maybe the next time you sit down with Michael Lowry to discuss your grubby Programme for Government, you can ask him why he burnt those documents and why his accountant made these secret payments.
“The public deserves better.”
‘A mild desire to be Taoiseach again’
Outgoing Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute Micheál Martin and his “trademark way” of doing business, writes Marie O’Halloran.
To some laughter, he said he noticed that Mr Martin had been “somewhat nurturing a mild desire to be Taoiseach again”.
He said his party was looking forward to playing “our part in the new Government in a spirt of partnership, mutual respect and shared objectives”.
He added that “we are eager to hit the ground running”.
The Fine Gael leader pointed to his party starting its fourth consecutive term in office and said they would be dedicated to “delivery, delivery, delivery”.
“While it is clear a period of some economic instability may lie ahead, our public finances are in a position to ensure we can make key progress on increasing infrastructure delivery and improving services,” the Fine Gael leader said.
Mr Harris claimed the Government will deliver a “serious focus of resources on making improvements in disability services” and described himself as energised and excited.
‘Our day will come’
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said “today will not be our day, but our day will come”, writes Marie O’Halloran.
She said “our work and our ambition for building a better, fair, equal and united Ireland has never been more important, and we stick to that task with real belief, with renewed hope and refresh determination”.
Defending her party’s approach in the Dáil yesterday, she said “we stood to defend a very simple but very important principle that no TD can be in Government and in Opposition at the same time.
“We push back against a brazen attempt to stymie, to silence and to sabotage the Opposition.”
“We collectively represent hundreds of thousands of people, and any attempt to railroad us will be met head on without fear or hesitation.”
Mary Lou ‘not just here for Mercs and perks’, says Farrell
Sinn Féin’s Mairéad Farrell, nominating as Taoiseach party leader Mary Lou McDonald, said “she has a vision of Ireland, not confined to this room, but a vision that encompasses all of Ireland and all of its people, not an abstract people, but the people who come into our clinics every single day”.
She said if her party “We’re not just here for Mercs and perks”.
She said the Sinn Féin team, led by Ms McDonald “stands in absolutely stark contrast to what we’ve seen unfold here over the last number of days”.
She said: “we’re only back from the holidays, and we have decided that we should go back on mid-term break”.
Taking a further cut, she said:” Of course, this Government must be absolutely exhausted from having to relive their Leaving Cert maths exam, where they seem to have struggled with question number one - how many junior ministers does it take to form a government?
“And the answer that they settled on was 23, in contrast to previous years’ exam papers, which was lower”.
‘... as I was saying’
Fianna Fáil’s youngest new TD Albert Dolan has recommenced his nomination speech, that had to be abandoned yesterday, with the remark “..as I was saying”, which was met with laughter, writes Marie O’Halloran.
“We couldn’t hear you,” quipped Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh.
The Galway East TD said that, in Micheál Martin “we have a leader who is ready to face challenges head on”.
“His dedication, his experience and his unwavering commitment to progress will be invaluable as we navigate the road ahead.”
Mr Dolan said: “I am excited and optimistic for the future under his leadership, and I believe we will continue to work tirelessly to create a better Ireland”.
He said that “by every reasonable measure, Deputy Martin has shown that he is qualified to lead our Government with distinction, that he will be constantly focused every day on the hard work of serving the Irish people, and that no matter how tough challenges are, in the coming years, he will meet them, and he will overcome those challenges.”
New Fianna Fáil TD Catherine Ardagh, in her maiden speech, said Mr Martin “demonstrated that he will lead the new Government with determination and will strengthen our country’s position in Europe and the world”.
She said, in relation to the Covid pandemic, that “perhaps the greatest demonstration of his approach to holding high office was seen as he worked tirelessly to secure a share of new vaccines, which were the key to restoring social and economic life in Europe and globally”.
Roll call result
Nominations for Taoiseach can now proceed after the Dáil’s roll call vote on the order of business was passed by 95 to 77 votes.
There was a brief pause when Danny Healy-Rae’s name was called out. After a nudge from Mattie McGrath, he votes in favour of the order of business.
Change of atmosphere in Dáil chamber
There has been a total change of atmosphere in the Dáil this morning and it looks like the row over the regional independents has been resolved for now, writes Marie O’Halloran.
A roll call vote is underway over the order of business but without the clamour and chaotic frenzy of yesterday.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has led the charge against the decision to adjourn the Dáil until February 5th. She said there was “no rationale for a further two week delay”.
There was laughter when she added “In fact, people will regard us as quite scandalous, given the time wasting so far that we would that we would that we would rise for a further two weeks”.
She said: “I do welcome the fact that Government has now finally acknowledged that there has to be a differentiation between Government and Opposition, and that no TD can be in Government and Opposition at the same time”.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik welcomed the Ceann Comhairle’s ruling not to include the Regional Independents group for speaking slots, “in particular the acknowledgement by Government that there is a need to ensure clarification and differentiating of Opposition and Government.”
Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins said the “very democracy of the Irish Republic was in question and we had to resolve it before moving forward”.
Way cleared for Martin election as Taoiseach
The way has now been cleared for the election of Micheál Martin as Taoiseach by the Dáil after the Government parties reached a deal with the Opposition, overcoming the impasse that plunged the Dáil into hours of acrimonious confusion yesterday, Pat Leahy writes.
In a statement to the Dáil, when it met after another delay this morning, the Government Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughten said that the Government would undertake to “achieve agreement” with the opposition on reforms of the standing orders governing the speaking rights of technical groups that will be considered by a new committee. The committee will be set up immediately and will seek to complete its work by February 5th, when the Dáil is due to return.
However, the Opposition forced a vote on the order of business, meaning that nominations for Taoiseach will not be heard just yet.
Vótáil
The Order of the Business is being put to a vote. It is now certain that the election of the Taoiseach will go ahead. The objection was only in relation to the suspension of the Dáíl for two weeks, but no one is going to die on the ditch over it.
Government Chief Whip now speaking
Hildegarde Naughton is reading out a prepared statement agreed by all. She agrees there is ambiguity in the Standing Orders and promises a speedy meeting of the Dáil Reform Committee, with a resolution to be arrived at no later than February 5.
She is now reading out the Order of Business to a silent Dáil.
Dáil is like a church today compared to the bear pit it was yesterday.
The business of the Dáíl will conclude at 6.30pm.
In summary, it now looks like agreement has been reached to allow for the election of Taoiseach.
However, not agreed.
Mary Lou McDonald raising the issue of suspending the House for two weeks.
“I see no reason or rationale for a two week delay. People would see it as scandalous with the time-wasting so far,” she says.
That provokes ironic laughs on the Government benches.
Ivana Bacik welcomes the statement from the Ceann Comhairle and the Government Chief Whip.
“We have no difficulty with the Order of Business you have proposed.”
That is that, then. Looks unlikely that any more delays will take place.
Statement from An Ceann Comhairle
Verona Murphy is now reading a statement saying the primary Constitutional function today is to elect a Taoiseach.
It is the statement released earlier this morning.
The key sentences are: “It seem to me that there was a significant ambiguity in the wording of the Standing Order 170, paragraphs (1) and (4). I will seek senior counsel advice on this matter before coming to an impartial final decision.”
Without pre-judging her final decision on that dispute, she says she is not recognising the Regional Independents Group for the purposes of today’s sitting.
“I trust my decision today provides a road map for all parties and all members to find a solution that is acceptable to all.”
Dáil now assembling for vote for Taoiseach
So it’s back to the situation we were at at this time yesterday. The Dáil chamber is now filling up and Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy has taken her seat. She is now reading out the prayer.
Path now clear for the election of Taoiseach - House to sit at 11.40am
The meeting of leaders has come to an end. The Government has acknowledged the ambiguity of Standing Order 170 (around technical groups) and has committed to supporting the work of the Dáil Reform Committee as soon as possible.
That, allied with the statement just in from the Regional Independents Group, in which it agrees to a temporary measure - not given recognition to it as a group - will facilitate the election of Taoiseach this morning.
The parties have agreed a wording for Government Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton to read out and a new schedule has been prepared for the sitting. The Dáil will conclude at 6.30pm
Regional Technical Group will agree temporarily to Ceann Comhairle ruling
A statement has just come in from the Regional Technical Group.
“Following intensive discussions last night and today with the Ceann Comhairle, Taoiseach and Tánaiste the Regional Group has decided that in the interest of not having a repetition of yesterday’s appalling and outrageous scenes in the Dáil, the Group will cooperate today’s Order of Business. Yesterday’s scenes were a shameful display of obstruction which denied the people a democratic right to have a Government.
The Regional Group have agreed to this temporary measure to facilitate the election of Taoiseach and Members of the Government. The future positioning of the group will be referred to the Dáil Reform Committee by way of Dáil motion tonight.
The committee’s composition will reflect the proportional representation in this Dáil. The aim is to have a decision before the Dáil reconvenes on the 5th of February.”
The Ancien Regime remains in place, for now
Pat Leahy writes: One of the consequences of the delay in electing a new Taoiseach and a new government is that the old one remains in place.
The Constitution provides that while a Taoiseach must resign when he loses a majority in the Dail, he remains in office until his successor is appointed.
Ditto his ministers. So Simon Harris is still Taoiseach, Micheal Martin still Tánaiste -- and Eamon Ryan is still Minister for Climate Change and for Transport, Stephen Donnelly is still Minister for Health, Heather Humphreys is still Minister for Social Protection and Rural Affairs, Catherine Martin is still Minister for Arts and Culture, and so on.
Moreover, all their advisers are still in place until they are replaced. Suffice to say, it hasn’t been the busiest two months they will ever put down.
Perhaps the optimism was misguided
The leaders are meeting now.
So apparently the mood has changed in the meeting between party leaders. Opposition sources are saying that Micheál Martin is pushing back and making strong arguments . There is a bump in the road. “The sense we’re getting is Michael Lowry is pushing back,” said one Opposition source.
We tried to contact Michael Lowry on this point but he was not available to comment.
The Opposition leaders seem to be presenting a united front. They had a view that the email from the Ceann Comhairle this morning might have resolved matters but it’s clear that there is still a gap between them and the two Government leaders.
A number of leading Opposition figures have set out their position today.
Vivienne Clarke has been monitoring broadcasts to see what Opposition leaders have been saying.
Labour party leader Ivana Bacik has said that the Government “could and should” have acted differently to avoid “the unedifying mess” in the Dáil chamber on Wednesday.
”This is their mess”, she told Newstalk Breakfast. The Government had displayed “a patent lack of respect” for the principles of democracy.
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty has welcomed the decision by the Ceann Comhairle not to recognise the Regional Independents group in the Dáil today.
But it was a temporary position, he told RTÉ's ‘Today with Claire Byrne’ show.
“What we need now is clarity in relation to this. This should never have come to the floor of the Dáil yesterday. We’ve been raising this issue for over a week.
“This is a stroke too far that the Government are trying to pull and the opposition united are not standing for it.”
The deputy leader of the Social Democrats, Cian O’Callaghan has said that opposition leaders will be asking for a change in standing orders so there would not be any issues around interpretation.
The proposed change in standing orders would “very explicitly recognise” that the independent TDs who support the Programme for Government cannot also be in opposition.
“I think that would put an end to this situation”, he told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.
Dáil sitting at 11.30 am with expectations that Taoiseach can be elected
The proposed sitting of the Dáil has been put back by another half hour.
It’s clearly not over yet and discussions are still ongoing. But the mood in Leinster House is certainly less dark that it was yesterday when there were daggers drawn across the Chamber.
However, the talks are now dragging on. We understand that some of the opposition parties agreed to the further delay “under protest” and also asked for assurance that there would be no more delays.
Dáil to suspend early as TDs keep a weather eye on incoming Storm Éowyn
We also understand that the four hour ‘sos’ - or break - to allow Micheál Martin travel to Áras an Uachtraráin to receive his seal of office, and then return to Leinster House and choose his new Cabinet, has been reduced to two hours.
It is also understood that the Opposition has agreed to cut down speaking time to allow people leave Leinster House for their home constituencies before the storm strikes.
More Read Outs on Meeting - moving away from immediate cliff edge
It has been described as a constructive meeting again and the Ceann Comhairle’s intervention this morning - removing the speaking rights of the Regional Independents technical group for today - has been received as “significant”.
“It means that hopefully the immediate cliff edge is removed and it may breaks the logjam,” said a source.
From another source: Opposition leaders were clear to the Government that they need a declaration that standing orders will be amended to clarify the situation surrounding Independents who support the Government.
Again the meeting was described as constructive and without rancour.
“We are expecting to hear back in 30 minutes but we expect it will be resolved. All of this could have been dealt with last week,” said the source.
Everything will now revolve on how the matter is phrased by Government Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton when she addresses the Dáil.
The Ceann Comhairle will speak first in Dail and outline the statement from this morning.
The Opposition will proceed on the presumption that the four Independent TDs are no longer (technically) in opposition.
Meeting between party leaders has ended but second meeting to take place
We understand the meeting between the leaders of all the political parties, which started a little after 8.30am, finished a short while ago.
No final resolution has been arrived at yet but there may be a second, shorter, meeting with the hope of resolving the outstanding issues over speaking time before 10.30am, the time the Dáil sitting is scheduled to start.
Opposition leaders have been pressing the Government parties to acknowledge publicly that the Regional Independents who are not in ministerial positions will be allotted Government speaking time, not Opposition speaking time.
Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray have got brief read-outs on the meeting.
Opposition leaders were clear to the Government that they need a declaration that standing orders will be amended to clarify that Independents supporting the Government will be recognised as such in the Standing Orders.
The meeting was described as constructive.
“We expect it will be resolved” a source says, saying that they will hear back in 30 minutes.
It also seems that issues to be addressed will be deal with by the Dáil Reform Committee. It is not clear if the Government will commit to not pushing things through with majority. There is some wrangling over wording now but what’s agreed may be sufficient to allow the election of the Taosieach and Government to take place.
Government Parties retain same position as yesterday but language more emollient
Vivienne Clarke writes: Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary told Newstalk Breakfast that there was a need to “move on” and “get the job done”.
Mr Calleary said that standing orders changed over time to reflect the Dáil, this was done through reform committees, but such change always happened after the Taoiseach was elected.
The Ceann Comhairle had set up a process, had invited submissions, he said. It was his understanding that an agreement had been reached by the party whips, but that had changed when leaders were informed.The reaction of Sinn Féin in the Dáil on Wednesday had been “premeditated”.
Mr Calleary said that time could always be found in the Dáil schedule for anyone who wished to speak. The first few weeks of a new government was the time usually given to working out a way for the Dáil to work effectively.
Sinn Féin identifies three ways of resolving crisis over Dáil speaking rights
Vivienne Clarke writes: Sinn Féin has proposed three ways to quickly resolve the Dáil speaking time issue, Matt Carthy told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland.
“There’s three ways that this matter can be resolved very quickly this morning. One is if Carol Nolan and Mattie McGrath, the two last remaining Opposition members of the technical group, withdraw from that group. The second way is for Michael Lowry to end the ruse to stop pretending that he’s in both Government and Opposition alongside his colleagues. And the third way is for Micheál Martin and Simon Harris to give a commitment that their parties will support an amendment to the standing orders.
“That isn’t actually necessary, in our view, because the standing orders are very clear that technical groups are formed by members of the Opposition. But an amendment would make that crystal clear and resolve the impasse and let us get on with the business of the Dáil.
“Let’s be clear. We have taken a number of initiatives to try and resolve this matter. We’ve taken the initiative here in terms of last night’s call and meeting with all the Opposition parties where we agreed the steps to go to resolve this impasse. So the Opposition have actually showed leadership. It’s now time for the Government to show leadership.”
What are the Possible Avenues to Resolution?
The two most important elements of the Ceann Comhairle’s statement is the decision to suspend temporarily for today the speaking rights of the Regional Independents Group. That can give breathing space to allow the formation of the Government in the Dáil today.
The second element that is important is her initial response to the joint submission by the combined Opposition on Standing Order 170, which relates to the formation of technical groups and speaking rights.
This is the response in Murphy’s statement: “She considered that there was a significant ambiguity in the wording of the Standing Order 170, paragraphs (1) and (4). She will seek senior counsel advice on this matter before coming to an impartial final decision.”
That essentially indicates there is an issue with the wording that needs to be addressed. It might allow an early amendment to the Standing Orders by the Dáíl Reform Committee which might convene later today - it is the Dáil itself which decides the Standing Orders.
Labour whip Duncan Smith has given this early response:
“It’s positive to see the Ceann Comhairle recognising only two technical groups, both in Opposition, for the purposes of today’s meeting. This the solution that I and others proposed both in our submission and at numerous meetings yesterday.”
A little hope as Ceann Comhairle bars speaking time for Regional Independents Group today
We begin today with a little bit of hope. The leaders of all the parties and group are now meeting in an effort to resolve the impasse yesterday over Dáil speaking time. The joint statement from Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin let in a chink of light, but also did not offer a 100 per cent resolution.
However, the statement issued on behalf of Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy in the past few minutes might prove to ease the passage to an agreement.
The long statement essentially says the other two technical groups in the Dáil will be recognised for the purposes of speaking time today, but that the Regional Independents Group (which includes Michael Lowry and the other three Independent TDs who support the Government: Barry Heneghan, Danny Healy-Rae and Gillian Toole) will not be afforded the same rights.
Here is the full statement.
“On Friday the 17th of January, the Ceann Comhairle outlined in correspondence to each member of the Business Committee legal advice that her office had received from the OPLA. In that correspondence she further sought submissions from those who did not agree with the advice she had outlined. The Ceann Comhairle was explicit that she had made no decision on the issue of recognition of the Regional Independent Group as a technical group in that correspondence. She invited submissions by close of business yesterday. Members who did not agree with the advice had the opportunity to make a submission and provide alternate advice for her to consider.
The Ceann Comhairle embarked on this process in the interest of fairness and in also recognising that the Standing Orders could be open to interpretation. As of yesterday, she received one submission on the issue of the Regional Independent Group. Overnight she considered the submission and advice that she received. She reviewed and discussed the submission with her staff. She considered that there was a significant ambiguity in the wording of the Standing Order 170, paragraphs (1) and (4). She will seek senior counsel advice on this matter before coming to an impartial final decision.
Therefore, in accordance with her solemn declaration that she will ‘apply the rules as laid down by this House in an impartial and fair manner’ and the powers conferred on her by Standing Order 75(3), she has decided that to avoid pre-judging her final decision on that dispute, the following technical groups will be recognised for the purposes of any debate in today’s proceedings pending a final ruling on the matter:
- Independent and Parties Technical Group
- Independent Technical Group”
Harris and Martin statement
A statement has just come in from Simon Harris and Micheál Martin:
“The formation of groups in Dáil Éireann is a matter for the Ceann Comhairle. Issues regarding Dáil reform and groupings can and should be discussed by a Dáil reform committee. This can meet as early as today, but proportionality must also prevail.
“The most important duty the Dáil has is to elect a taoiseach and government and both party leaders agree this must happen today.”
