The Dáil term in review: Fianna Fáil and Micheál Martin left in a spin ahead of recess

The time has come for Fianna Fáil to dust themselves off and learn from their mistakes. However, is that likely?

As the Dáil term breaks for a six week recess, how will the party leaders reflect on their first few weeks of work? L to R: Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport Eamon Ryan. Picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

For the 160 TDs returned in February's election, the Oireachtas term which just ended has been the equivalent of a slow-paced movie that suddenly tries to cram 20 plot twists in its last half hour.

The first, torturous month post-election was dominated by everyone talking to everyone else until the inevitable dawned: if Sinn Féin was to be kept out of Government or a second election was to be avoided, then Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were going to have to do business together.