A chaotic session in the Irish parliament on Wednesday ended without a new taoiseach being appointed, as a dispute over speaking time between the Government and the opposition derailed efforts to proceed with the nomination process. The row, which both sides called “farcical,” left the Dáil parliament in disarray and blocked the formation of the next government.
The government had reconvened with the goal of formally appointing a taoiseach and Cabinet ministers, following an agreement between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and several independent TDs (members of parliament). However, the proceedings were repeatedly disrupted by opposition parties, who objected to the speaking time allocated to independent TDs. The core issue was whether the independents, who had negotiated the Programme for Government but did not hold ministerial positions, should be entitled to opposition speaking slots.
The Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) of the Dáil, Verona Murphy, intervened four times to halt proceedings as the opposition pressed their case. A number of opposition parties, including Sinn Féin, Labour, and the Social Democrats, insisted that the independents who had supported the coalition should not be treated as part of the opposition. They argued that allowing them to sit in opposition groupings and receive additional speaking time was improper, as they had already played a role in shaping the government’s policies.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who was poised to become the next taoiseach, condemned the disruption, calling the actions of the opposition a “subversion of the Irish Constitution.” He expressed frustration that the nomination of the taoiseach was being blocked by a “pre-meditated, co-ordinated and choreographed” effort from the opposition, particularly from Sinn Féin.
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, who is set to become deputy taoiseach (Tánaiste), also criticised the opposition for what he labelled “farcical” and “stunt politics.” Harris argued that the Dáil’s most fundamental responsibility was to elect a taoiseach and a government, and that a clear majority of TDs were ready to proceed with the nomination of Micheál Martin. However, he said the opposition’s obstruction prevented the majority from fulfilling their duty.
The conflict centred around the allocation of speaking time, with independent TDs such as Michael Lowry from Tipperary North seeking the opportunity to speak in opposition time. Lowry, who had been involved in negotiations for the Programme for Government, argued that an agreement had been reached on this issue earlier in the day, but that it was subsequently reneged upon by the government.
Mr Lowry’s frustration was palpable as he expressed disbelief at the behaviour of the opposition, including Sinn Féin members. Speaking on RTE’s Six One programme, he remarked, “I’ve never seen such disrespect to any Ceann Comhairle in the history of the Dáil, and I’ve been here 40 years.” Despite attempts at mediation, no agreement was reached on the speaking time issue, and the Dáil was adjourned without the vote on the taoiseach.
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty and other members of the opposition continued to interrupt proceedings, accusing the government of acting undemocratically. Doherty described the Ceann Comhairle’s efforts to proceed with the nomination as a “disgrace,” while Padraig Mac Lochlainn of Sinn Féin called it “outrageous.”
Other opposition leaders, including Labour’s Ivana Bacik and the Social Democrats’ Cian O’Callaghan, joined in the criticism, with Bacik stating that the opposition could not accept a situation where TDs who supported the government were being treated as part of the opposition. “It’s simply not tenable,” she said. Michael Collins of Independent Ireland echoed the sentiment, stating, “The very word democracy is at question here.”
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At around 4.25pm, the Government Chief Whip, Hildegarde Naughton, announced that a resolution had been reached, but further interruptions from opposition members followed, blocking any chance of proceeding with the taoiseach nomination.
The Dáil will reconvene at 9am on Thursday, with the expectation that further attempts will be made to resolve the issue and appoint a taoiseach. The ongoing row has raised questions about the functioning of the Irish parliament and the ability of the coalition parties to maintain stability in the face of opposition resistance.
The disruptions on Wednesday have added an element of unpredictability to an already tense political environment, as the incoming government must now navigate the challenges of not only securing a majority in the Dáil but also overcoming internal divisions within the opposition. It remains to be seen whether a solution can be found in time for the new taoiseach to be nominated and take office.
