#Government Formation

Sign in

#Government Formation

All the news about the negotiations to form a government

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald speaking with the Irish Examiner's acting political editor Paul Hosford in Leinster House. The longer interview will be published on Monday in print and online. Picture: Gareth Chaney</p>

politics

Sinn Féin leader says her party 'must learn' from the last year

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mary Lou McDonald said the party has to work to convince voters that an alternative coalition is possible

<p>There was a definite air of 'school's out for summer' feel around Leinster House on Thursday. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Photos</p>

comment-analysis

Paul Hosford: Dáil ends low-energy term as TDs break for summer holidays

<p>Shane Ross told the High Court that super junior ministers participated fully in discussions at meetings, and agreed that they were never 'curtailed' from participating by virtue of their 'nominally lower status'. File Picture: PA</p>

court and crime

Super juniors treated 'identically' to senior ministers, court told

Junior ministerial roles legal action

court and crime

Government accepts super juniors are involved in Cabinet decision-making, court told

TD's super junior ministers challenge seeks 'unprecedented' intervention of judiciary, court told

court and crime

TD's super junior ministers challenge seeks 'unprecedented' intervention of judiciary, court told

'That creature simply does not exist': Super junior ministers challenge opens at High Court

court and crime

'That creature simply does not exist': Super junior ministers challenge opens at High Court

Pa Daly: Why Sinn Féin is challenging the Government on super junior ministers

Pa Daly: Why Sinn Féin is challenging the Government on super junior ministers

If we allow the lines to be blurred, we invite further erosion of the democratic checks and balances that are essential to our system of government and to our democracy, writes Pa Daly

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

Irish Government formation

'Government expects support of Regional Independents in key votes' – Jack Chambers

Regional Independent Group TDs Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole broke with the Govenment to support Sinn Féin bill on Israeli bonds

Thu, 29 May, 2025

Sinn Féin chooses John Brady to chair Dáil's Public Accounts Committee

Sinn Féin chooses John Brady to chair Dáil's Public Accounts Committee

The top jobs at Oireachtas committees include a €10,888 salary top-up

Fri, 25 Apr, 2025

Ireland stock

Pádraig Rice: Dáil must become a better workplace to truly represent Ireland

A little under four months into the 34th Dáil, first-time TD Pádraig Rice reflects on the chamber's composition, its workload, and its long paralysis due to the speaking rights row

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025

Oireachtas committees: Sinn Féin takes chair of powerful PAC

Oireachtas committees: Sinn Féin takes chair of powerful PAC

Sinn Féin's chairing of the PAC is in keeping with long-standing convention as the largest opposition party

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Taoiseach denies claims of political deals over Beaumont Hospital investment

Taoiseach denies claims of political deals over Beaumont Hospital investment

Micheál Martin insists no agreements were made with Independent TD Barry Heneghan despite local investment announcement

Thu, 10 Apr, 2025

Ceann Comhairle rules that Eoin Hayes is a Social Democrats TD despite suspension

Ceann Comhairle rules that Eoin Hayes is a Social Democrats TD despite suspension

Verona Murphy's ruling means the Social Democrats get precedence over Labour at Leaders’ Questions, committee membership selection, and speaking order

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Labour and Social Democrats clash over Dáil committee roles amid suspended TD row

Labour and Social Democrats clash over Dáil committee roles amid suspended TD row

Social Democrats seek to count suspended TD Eoin Hayes in committee allocations, prompting criticism from Labour sources

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

New Taoiseach appointed

Verona Murphy faces historic no-confidence vote amid Dáil speaking time controversy

The Ceann Comhairle faces a historic no-confidence vote, tensions rise over Dáil speaking rules and Opposition tactics

Tue, 01 Apr, 2025

New Taoiseach appointed

Dáíl to vote next Tuesday on confidence motion in Ceann Comhairle

The Ceann Comhairle has “categorically” rejected accusations of partisanship in how she handled an opposition protest in the Dáil

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025

Dail speaking row

Irish Examiner view: Dáil disorder discouraging at such a fraught time

Further turmoil is to be expected

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025

Elaine Loughlin: Ceann comhairle controversy threatens stability and longevity of Government

Elaine Loughlin: Ceann comhairle controversy threatens stability and longevity of Government

Pressing a vote of no confidence in the chair of the Dáil is highly unusual

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Mattie McGrath and Michael Collins in heated exchange after Dáil upheaval

Mattie McGrath and Michael Collins in heated exchange after Dáil upheaval

Tipperary TD compared Michael Collins to the Irish revolutionary of the same name, describing both as traitors from West Cork

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Michael Lowry's actions in Dáil chamber 'tipping point' for Fianna Fáil TDs

Michael Lowry's actions in Dáil chamber 'tipping point' for Fianna Fáil TDs

Sources say party wants Tipperary TD to make a formal apology

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Taoiseach says opposition behaviour was 'a new low' after Dáil chaos

Taoiseach says opposition behaviour was 'a new low' after Dáil chaos

Several opposition TDs have now privately expressed a lack of confidence in Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: Why has the speaking rights row been going on for so long?

ieExplains: Why has the speaking rights row been going on for so long?

The speaker rights row continues to overshadow Dáil proceedings. Elaine Loughlin recaps what's happened over the last few months

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

Dail row over speaking time resolved

Row over 'Michael Lowry and his underlings' has put Dáil into 'cold storage', TDs told

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald highlighted the fact that it is now four months on from the general election, with only 10 more sitting days until the Easter recess and yet just one piece of legislation has been passed

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

Two newly elected TDs have yet to speak in the Dáil

Two newly elected TDs have yet to speak in the Dáil

Fine Gael’s David Maxwell and suspended Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes are the only two new members of the 34th Dáil who are yet to make their maiden speeches

Sun, 16 Mar, 2025

FILE PHOTO Pressure is growing for TDs to return to Leinster House for sittings of the Dail END

Opposition push to raise quorum of TDs in Dáil chamber from covid-era low

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins said the lower quorum was 'resurrected to shield ministers and backbenchers from scrutiny'

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

INDEPENDENT TDS

Sarah Harte: People are trying to figure out if they can live in a log cabin. How did we get here?

Our politicians' priorities in a time of polycrisis are alarmingly off. Is this distance between them and us how societal breakdown begins?

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Leinster House media briefings

Government to contest Paul Murphy’s action seeking to injunct super junior ministers

The State argues that Mr Murphy’s proceedings are a duplication of a similar case brought by Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly earlier this year

Mon, 03 Mar, 2025

Elaine Loughlin: As global crises unfold, Irish politicians remain stuck in petty disputes

Elaine Loughlin: As global crises unfold, Irish politicians remain stuck in petty disputes

As Ireland faces real challenges, politicians remain locked in a petty dispute, stalling crucial government work and legislative progress

Sat, 01 Mar, 2025

Opposition parties ditch pairing arrangements with Government TDs amid rule change row

Opposition parties ditch pairing arrangements with Government TDs amid rule change row

Dáil pairing arrangements are typically arranged between the Government and Opposition in the case of ministerial absences from the Dáil.

Thu, 27 Feb, 2025

New Taoiseach appointed

Government accused of 'sleeveen politics' after passing speaking time proposals

Under the proposals, coalition backbenchers will also be permitted to ask questions of the Taoiseach, as part of “Other Members Questions”.

Wed, 26 Feb, 2025

'Trench warfare': Opposition furious after Government approves speaking time plan

'Trench warfare': Opposition furious after Government approves speaking time plan

In a joint letter to Micheál Martin, sent just minutes prior to a Dáil reform committee meeting, opposition leaders called for a meeting with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste as a matter of urgency

Wed, 26 Feb, 2025

Cabinet meeting - Dublin

Opposition threats amid Dáil speaking time row 'unhelpful', says Tánaiste

Opposition TDs fear that the Government will force through changes to the operation of the Dáil

Wed, 26 Feb, 2025

Ireland stock

Government and opposition on collision course over speaking-time proposals

Government proposals call for the introduction of specific speaking slots for the Regional Independent Group to question government ministers

Tue, 25 Feb, 2025

Leinster House media briefings

Paul Murphy gets permission to serve super junior minister injunction proceedings

The People Before Profit-Solidarity TD's case also raise questions regarding Cabinet confidentiality

Tue, 25 Feb, 2025

President signs law expanding number of junior ministers amid ‘jobs for the boys’ criticism

President signs law expanding number of junior ministers amid ‘jobs for the boys’ criticism

President Higgins signs a law increasing junior ministers to a record 23, sparking criticism from opposition leaders

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

Opposition rejects Government plan to grant regional independents special speaking rights

Opposition rejects Government plan to grant regional independents special speaking rights

Sinn Féin whip Pádraig MacLochlainn said that the Government is attempting to 'stifle' the Opposition

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

New Leas-Cheann Comhairle reminds TDs not to 'misbehave'

New Leas-Cheann Comhairle reminds TDs not to 'misbehave'

The new Dáil deputy chairman John McGuinness makes an apparent swipe at the Taoiseach in the wake of the 'bréaga' imbroglio

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

FILE PHOTO Pressure is growing for TDs to return to Leinster House for sittings of the Dail END

Social Democrats suggest TDs should declare their liabilities and income levels from second jobs

It has been widely reported that there was particular frustration within Fianna Fáil over speaking time arrangements, with party sources saying that government backbenchers did not get as many prime-time speaking slots as opposition TDs

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Elaine Loughlin: Seanad is padded out with has-beens, wannabes, and losers

Elaine Loughlin: Seanad is padded out with has-beens, wannabes, and losers

Taoiseach's nominees to the upper house include failed election candidates, prospective TDs, and others using the upper house of the Oireachtas as a step-down facility

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Fine Gael ‘root and branch’ review to focus on attracting new members

Fine Gael ‘root and branch’ review to focus on attracting new members

'Stocktaking exercise' will allow the party to look forward 'for the next five to 10 years'

Mon, 10 Feb, 2025

Micheál Martin balances Ireland’s neutrality with EU demands on defence spending

Micheál Martin balances Ireland’s neutrality with EU demands on defence spending

Micheál Martin navigates Ireland’s neutrality amid rising EU concerns over defence spending and security threats from Russia, writes Elaine Loughlin

Sat, 08 Feb, 2025

RTÉ sports journalist Evanne Ní Chuilinn is to become a Fine Gael senator

RTÉ sports journalist Evanne Ní Chuilinn is to become a Fine Gael senator

In a surprise announcement, Tánaiste Simon Harris said Ms Ní Chuilinn would be a 'fantastic addition' to the Fine Gael team

Fri, 07 Feb, 2025

Taoiseach visit to Naas

Simon Harris surprised about Regional Independents seeking Opposition speaking rights

It has led to concerns that the Government may not have the solid majority it had expected

Fri, 07 Feb, 2025

Micheál Martin accused of trying to 're-open' speaking rights debate

Micheál Martin accused of trying to 're-open' speaking rights debate

Ms Bacik said she was concerned about Mr Martin’s response to a letter from the combined opposition last week, after it was ruled that the Regional Independents could not sit as a technical group

Fri, 07 Feb, 2025

INDEPENDENT TDS

Michael Lowry accepts decision on speaking time, but calls for Dáil reform

The Dáil Reform Committee met in Leinster House to resolve the ongoing row that has engulfed the Dáil in recent weeks

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Government will contest Kerry TD's 'simplistic but false' claims about 'super-juniors', High Court told

Sinn Féin TD Patrick “Pa” Daly’s case centres around super-junior ministers attending Cabinet meetings

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

New Taoiseach appointed

Regional Group TDs cannot form technical group in Cabinet, Ceann Comhairle rules

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy has ruled that members of the regional technical group of TDs cannot be considered as members of the opposition

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

New Taoiseach appointed

S Fergus Finlay: With one stupid decision, coalition undermined itself and united the opposition

The Ceann Comhairle says the regional Independents cannot be considered part of the opposition. But many questions remain about the shoddy little deal Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael struck with them

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

President Higgins to Present Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad

Taoiseach and Tánaiste expected to meet opposition leaders to avert further Dáil chaos

Lengthy discussions have failed to reach agreement about Michael Lowry’s regional technical group and its bid to get speaking slots in opposition time despite supporting the Government

Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

Seanad elections

Counting resumes in Seanad elections with two vocational panels filled

The eleven seats available on the agricultural panel and the five on the cultural and education panel have all been filled

Sun, 02 Feb, 2025