Government of the 34th Dáil
35th government of Ireland | |
|---|---|
 Government of Ireland | |
_2020_(cropped).jpg) | |
| Date formed | 23 January 2025 |
| People and organisations | |
| President | Michael D. Higgins |
| Taoiseach | Micheál Martin |
| Tánaiste | Simon Harris |
| No. of ministers | 15 |
| Member parties | |
| Status in legislature | Majority Coalition 95 / 174 (55%)
|
| Opposition cabinet | Sinn Féin Front Bench |
| Opposition party | Sinn Féin |
| Opposition leader | Mary Lou McDonald |
| History | |
| Election | 2024 general election |
| Legislature terms | |
| Predecessor | 34th government |
The 35th government of Ireland is the government of Ireland which was formed on 23 January 2025 following the 2024 general election to the 34th Dáil held on 29 November 2024. It is a coalition government of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael with the participation of independent TDs at the rank of minister of state. It has lasted 5 days to date.
Government formation talks
[edit]Government formation followed negotiations on a programme for government for a coalition government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Regional Independent Group (a group of independent politicians led by former government minister Michael Lowry). Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will serve as Taoiseach, with Fine Gael leader Simon Harris serving as Tánaiste. It was agreed that the government will last until November 2027, after which the positions will rotate, with the Fine Gael leader forming a new government as Taoiseach, and the Fianna Fáil leader serving as Tánaiste.[1] It is the second time that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have participated in the same government, a continuation of the coalition government formed in 2020, with Independents replacing the Greens.
Nomination of Taoiseach
[edit]The 34th Dáil first met on 18 December. Harris resigned as Taoiseach before the Dáil convened but that under the provisions of Article 28.11 of the Constitution, the members of the government continued to carry out their duties until their successors were appointed.[2] Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was proposed for nomination as Taoiseach, with other parties abstaining from nomination as the government formation talks had not yet concluded.[3] McDonald failed to obtain majority support.[3]
On 22 January 2025, the Dáil again met to consider nominations for the position of Taoiseach. Opposition parties raised the issue of a technical group supporting the programme for government registering as an opposition group with speaking rights. The Dáil was suspended a number of times before Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy suspended sitting for the day.[4]
On 23 January 2025, following talks between party leaders, the Dáil again sat to consider nomination.[5] Mary Lou McDonald and Micheál Martin were nominated. The nomination of Mary Lou McDonald was not considered as, following a vote, the nomination of Martin was approved by the Dáil by a vote of 95 to 76.[6] President Michael D. Higgins subsequently signed the warrant of appointment and presented the seal of Taoiseach and the seal of Government to Martin at Áras an Uachtaráin.[7]
| 23 January 2025 Nomination of Micheál Martin (FF) as Taoiseach Motion proposed by Albert Dolan and seconded by Catherine Ardagh Absolute majority: 88/174[8] | ||
| Vote | Parties | Votes |
 Yes |
Fianna Fáil (48), Fine Gael (37), Independents (10) | 95 / 174
|
| No | Sinn Féin (39), Labour (11), Social Democrats (9), Independents (6), Independent Ireland (4), PBP–Solidarity (3), Aontú (2), 100% Redress (1), Green Party (1) | 76 / 174
|
| Absent or not voting | Ceann Comhairle (1), Fine Gael (1), Social Democrats (1) | 3 / 174
|
Government ministers
[edit]After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Martin proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil.[9] They were appointed by the president on the same day.[10]
Attorney General
[edit]Rossa Fanning SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[9]
Ministers of state
[edit]On 23 January 2025, the government on the nomination of the Taoiseach appointed Mary Butler, Hildegarde Naughton, Noel Grealish, and Seán Canney as ministers of state.[9]
| Name | Department(s) | Responsibility | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Butler (In attendance at cabinet) |
Taoiseach Health |
Government Chief Whip Mental Health |
Fianna Fáil | |
| Hildegarde Naughton (In attendance at cabinet) |
Children, Disability and Equality | Disability | Fine Gael | |
| Noel Grealish (In attendance at cabinet) |
Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine | Food promotion, new markets, research and development | Independent | |
| Seán Canney (In attendance at cabinet) |
Transport | International and road transport, logistics, rail and ports | Independent | |
References
[edit]- ^ Loughlin, Elaine (16 January 2025). "'Ambitious' programme for government with Martin as Taoiseach until November 2027". Irish Examiner.
- ^ Constitution of Ireland, Article 28.11.
- ^ a b "As it happened: Day one of the 34th Dáil". RTÉ News. 18 December 2024.
- ^ Horgan-Jones, Jack (22 January 2025). "Verona Murphy's turbulent first day: 'She should have got the metre stick out'". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Dáil Éireann: Irish Parliament to make second attempt to elect taoiseach". BBC News. 23 January 2025.
- ^ Finn, Christina (23 January 2025). "Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin elected as Taoiseach for the second time". TheJournal.ie.
- ^ "President Higgins appoints Micheál Martin as Taoiseach". President of Ireland. 23 January 2025.
- ^ "Taoiseach a Ainmniú (Atógáil) - Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ a b c "Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government". Dáil Debates. 23 January 2025.
- ^ "President appoints members of Government". President of Ireland. 23 January 2025.
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