In a Word ... Politics
It might be argued that some smaller parties were outmanoeuvred in negotiations to form this Government, while others chose to make demands they knew would be refused
Social Democrats
Long wait for Sinn Féin poll topper to secure Seanad seat
Former TDs Alan Farrell (FG) and Matt Shanahan (Ind) fail in bids to win seats
‘Another stroke’: Fresh plan to give Michael Lowry’s group Dáil speaking time criticised by Opposition
Government plan is ‘total arrogance’ on the back of a ‘grubby deal’, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald says
Unveiling of new junior Ministers underlines Dáil sausage-fest
Women junior Ministers were placed in the front row at the Leinster House photocall but it fooled no one, as just six of the 23 appointees are women
Scenes of chaos and bullying in Dáil will have done nothing for the reputation of politicians
Nobody in the political world emerged untarnished from the spectacle
Micheál Martin finally gets his emotional moment among the throngs after Covid scuppered first celebrations
In a rare opportunity for party political celebration, Fianna Fáilers gathered for the traditional Yahooing of the Boss
How it happened: Unprecedented and chaotic scenes in the Dáil
Election of new taoiseach and government proves impossible as Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy forced to suspend the House repeatedly
Labour, Soc Dems and Greens agree vote-trading deal in bid to secure Seanad election seats
Electorate of just under 1,200 including 941 councillors, 174 incoming TDs and outgoing Senators issued their postal votes for the 43 seats on five vocational panels
Labour and Social Democrats abdicated responsibility by not ‘fighting’ for power, O’Gorman tells Greens convention
Roderic O’Gorman’s comments came as 300 Green Party delegates attended event in Dublin
Healy-Rae brothers to seek ministerial role in return for backing next government
‘Major policy differences’ between Social Democrats and larger parties suggest Soc Dems unlikely to have role in next coalition
Talks resume between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on new government
Parties report steady progress but difficult areas yet to be discussed
Number of homeless people passes 15,000 for first time since records began
Some 4,658 children are in emergency accommodation as Darragh O’Brien says addressing crisis is ‘an absolute priority’
Five things to watch in 2025 as the next government takes shape
Year ahead promises no shortage of intrigue and challenge for the political classes as they look to digest a new reality brought about by the year of elections
Miriam Lord’s review of the year: Shock resignations, ruptured relations and an over-eager new Taoiseach
A year of change heralds a future of more of the same
The Irish Times view on the year in politics: turbulence and continuity
The image which Ireland presented to the world at the end of 2024 was one of unusual stability
‘It’s not for the faint hearted’: Catherine Murphy on poor planning, emigration and political conflict
The Social Democrats co-founder, who has retired from the Dáil, says problems that got her into politics four decades ago remain to be resolved
Eamon Ryan: ‘If Labour and Soc Dems were ambitious on climate, they’d be going into government’
Former Green Party leader opens up about ‘being attacked from all sides’ and party’s general election wipeout
‘Not inevitable’ Independents will be in new government, say Social Democrats
Cian O'Callaghan says his party will continue discussions with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil into the New Year with constructive engagement on its key issues.
Explain Irish politics to visiting foreign relatives with Pat Leahy’s informed sceptic’s guide
Wondering about how you’ll explain Irish politics to visiting foreign relatives – or to yourself? Wonder no more
A year of devastating climate firsts, a dispiriting outcome to Cop29 and elections where climate was off the radar
Ireland heard plenty of ‘eco rhetoric’ in 2024 but there was a clear sense that political leaders have not grasped the reality of the climate emergency
Labour, Soc Dems and Sinn Féin planning ‘strategic co-operation’ as Dáil opposition
Independent TDs begin jockeying for ministerial positions in the next government
Fine Gael’s Emma Blain elected Lord Mayor of Dublin
Pembroke area councillor succeeds party colleague James Geoghegan following his election to Dáil Éireann
Verona Murphy’s path to Ceann Comhairle role marked by controversy
Outspoken Independent TD was deselected by Fine Gael as a candidate for 2020 general election following comments about asylum seekers
Ceann comhairle election key task as 34th Dáil convenes for first time
Independent TD Verona Murphy in pole position for role as TDs gather in Leinster House for first sitting in almost six weeks
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to discuss how they will approach election of ceann comhairle
Talks continue between potential parties to coalition government
Independents’ demands for government include wishlist on health and housing
Labour Party representatives to meet Simon Harris and Fine Gael negotiating team, and Ivana Bacik to meet Micheál Martin
Outcry over Eoin Hayes’s Palantir shares may be missing the point
Palantir's business belies its dark reputation
Tarnished Social Democrats blindsided by political rough and tumble of losing TD before next Dáil sits
Exactly when Eoin Hayes disposed of stock in controversial firm Palantir Technologies is an example of scandals that can erupt suddenly
The Irish Times view on not entering government: a rational calculation
The decision to stay out is due not to an excess of ideological purity but to an entirely rational assessment of the probable outcome
Labour Party ‘unlikely’ to enter government but not out yet, says Bacik
Labour keen to let process ‘play out’, sources say
Why FF and FG are not looking forward to potentially forming a government with Independents
Inside Politics podcast with Hugh Linehan
The ‘will they, won’t they’ of government formation is like our very own Christmas rom-com
Your essential end-of-week politics catch up: Outside of coalition talks, other big story of the week was undoubtedly Eoin Hayes’s suspension from Social Democrats
Coalition talks: How the process of forming Ireland’s next government has unfolded so far
With government formation talks set to intensify before Christmas, focus now on who will provide safety in numbers for next coalition
Bomb disposal unit at Social Democrats HQ deem suspect package alert ‘not credible’
Suspect package found at offices on South Frederick St, with security cordon put in place
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