Politics

In visuals: An unprecedented, scrappy and chaotic day in the Dáil

A selection of videos and pictures from a day of chaos that led to the suspension of the 34th Dáil and the vote for taoiseach

Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty and Mary Lou McDonald in the Dail chamber as Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy suspends proceedings for the day. Photograph: Fergal Phillips/Maxwell’s
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty and Mary Lou McDonald in the Dail chamber as Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy suspends proceedings for the day. Photograph: Fergal Phillips/Maxwell’s
Wed Jan 22 2025 - 19:24
The Dáil has failed to elect a taoiseach after the Ceann Comhairle suspended proceedings amid chaotic scenes. Video: Oireachtas TV
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said what happened today was 'utterly farcical', adding that 'there was a clear majority ready to elect Micheál Martin, instead what we saw was an effort to obstruct and shout down'. Photograph: Alan Betson
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said what happened today was 'utterly farcical', adding that 'there was a clear majority ready to elect Micheál Martin, instead what we saw was an effort to obstruct and shout down'. Photograph: Alan Betson
Micheál Martin and Simon Harris preparing to speak to media outside Government Buildings after a day of unrest in the Dáil and a cancelled vote for taoiseach. Photograph: Alan Betson
Micheál Martin and Simon Harris preparing to speak to media outside Government Buildings after a day of unrest in the Dáil and a cancelled vote for taoiseach. Photograph: Alan Betson
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald leaves Leinster House. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald leaves Leinster House. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Government Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton speaking in the Dáil ahead of the vote on the nomination of Micheál Martin as taoiseach. Photograph: Maxwells/PA Wire
Government Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton speaking in the Dáil ahead of the vote on the nomination of Micheál Martin as taoiseach. Photograph: Maxwells/PA Wire
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik with party colleagues Marie Sherlock and Ged Nash in the Dáil chamber as Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD suspends Dáil proceedings for the day. Photograph: Maxwell's/PA Wire
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik with party colleagues Marie Sherlock and Ged Nash in the Dáil chamber as Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD suspends Dáil proceedings for the day. Photograph: Maxwell's/PA Wire
Members of the 34th Dáil. Photograph: Fergal Phillips/Maxwells
Members of the 34th Dáil. Photograph: Fergal Phillips/Maxwells
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty and Mary Lou McDonald in the Dáil chamber as Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD suspends proceedings for the day. Photograph: Fergal Phillips/Maxwell’s
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty and Mary Lou McDonald in the Dáil chamber as Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD suspends proceedings for the day. Photograph: Fergal Phillips/Maxwell’s
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik with party colleague Ged Nash in the Dáil. Photograph: Maxwell’s
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik with party colleague Ged Nash in the Dáil. Photograph: Maxwell’s
Michael Lowry has accused Sinn Féin of "shameful" behaviour after an argument over Opposition speaking time delayed the election of a new taoiseach.
Mary Lou McDonald entering Leinster House. Ahead of her appearance she posted on X that 'Sinn Féin will never allow the government to silence us or to silence you,' adding, “I will be speaking in the Dáil this morning. Your voice will be heard. The first thing I will do is challenge their attempt to take another two weeks holiday. Government needs to get to work.' Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Mary Lou McDonald entering Leinster House. Ahead of her appearance she posted on X that 'Sinn Féin will never allow the government to silence us or to silence you,' adding, “I will be speaking in the Dáil this morning. Your voice will be heard. The first thing I will do is challenge their attempt to take another two weeks holiday. Government needs to get to work.' Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Drama inside Leinster House aside, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside calling for incoming Government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Drama inside Leinster House aside, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside calling for incoming Government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Barry Heneghan of the Regional Technical Group. Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín announced he left the group today, reducing its numbers to six members. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Barry Heneghan of the Regional Technical Group. Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín announced he left the group today, reducing its numbers to six members. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Michael Lowry TD has said that he is confident of securing Opposition speaking time in the new Dáil. Video: Enda O'Dowd
Independent TD Michael Lowry, leader of the Regional Independents Group, arrives at Leinster House this morning. With the support from the Independents, the election of Micheál Martin as taoiseach by the Dáil was considered to be a formality. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Independent TD Michael Lowry, leader of the Regional Independents Group, arrives at Leinster House this morning. With the support from the Independents, the election of Micheál Martin as taoiseach by the Dáil was considered to be a formality. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Independent Kevin 'Boxer' Moran outside the Dáil. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Independent Kevin 'Boxer' Moran outside the Dáil. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Healy-Rae brothers Danny and Michael outside the Dáil this morning. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Healy-Rae brothers Danny and Michael outside the Dáil this morning. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
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