We’ve known it since the general election in last weekend of November. Once the numbers were clear and the sums were done, the shape of the incoming government could already be made out. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and willing Independents – of whom there were more than a few.
The parties went through the motions, held their talks, presented position papers (well all apart from Sinn Féin, and People Before Profit). And then it all started to look a bit like it did in late November: Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and willing Independents.
The appointment of a new taoiseach and government in the Dáil is a relatively solemn and formal occasion, which follows a well-established protocol. There is no swearing-in and, thankfully, little of the hyperbole we saw in the US Capitol on Monday for Donald Trump’s inauguration. Could anybody ever imagine Micheál Martin saying: “I was saved by God to make Ireland great again.”
Of course there are going to be rows. Already, two big ones have brewed up. The Regional Independent Group grabbed what GAA reporters would describe as an opportunist goal, brazenly announcing that the members not taking ministerial roles would be seeking speaking time in the Dáil as part of an opposition technical group.
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The move has led to a huge commotion with the real opposition and new Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, once a member of the regional group, has had a first paddle in the deep end of factional Dáil politics. She issued a letter on Friday saying the Independents, among them Michael Lowry, Gillian Toole, Barry Heneghan and Danny Healy-Rae, would be recognised, citing precedent .
The combined opposition responded on Tuesday with a joint submission that essentially said the examples given by Murphy were not in fact precedent at all.
Their seven-page document said the Standing Orders of the Dáil specified that the group must be composed of “members in opposition”. Their argument is that to describe Lowry, a key negotiator in the coalition talks, as a “member in opposition” is doing violence to the English language.
The matter will come to a head on Thursday when the Dáil’s business committee meets to thrash the issue out. In the meantime, the four TDs will be allowed to sit on the opposition benches, but only on a temporary basis.
Murphy’s Law not going down well with opposition
The second spat involving the Ceann Comhairle has not been long in coming. Sinn Féin will nominate its leader Mary Lou McDonald as taoiseach in the Dáil today. Yesterday, the party discovered that she would not be allowed speak on foot of the nomination.
Sinn Féin was furious. It was also unhappy about the news that the Dáil will, after today, adjourn for a fortnight until February 5th. As reported last night, McDonald spoke to the Ceann Comhairle on Tuesday evening and had what a spokesman described as a “very direct conversation”.
A spokesman for the party said it expected the Dáil session to be “very fractious”.
You have been warned.
Playbook Part 1
So the day will, as we said, follow a familiar pattern.
Pat Leahy has laid it out in detail here:
11am: Dáil convenes
11.05am: Nominations for taoiseach. Sinn Féin will propose Mary Lou McDonald. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will be proposed by Galway East TD Albert Dolan, the youngest member of its parliamentary party, and seconded by another new TD, former senator Catherine Ardagh.
12.30pm: Dáil votes on appointment of Taoiseach.
1.30pm: The new taoiseach leaves for Áras an Uachtaráin to receive his seal of office from President Michael D Higgins.
Playbook Part 2
Upon his return to the city centre, the taoiseach will go to his office in Government Buildings. For the next few hours, TDs destined for higher office will get a call summoning them over to Merrion Street.
The quickest way to get to Government Buildings is across an elevated and enclosed bridge that links it to Leinster House. It is nicknamed the ‘Bridge of Sighs’ in honour of those who end up being disappointed.
With Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris having more portfolios to hand out, there has been endless speculation in the past week as to who will get promoted and who will lose out. It is accepted that all (or very nearly all) of the current crop of ministers will remain in office. The latest intelligence is included in our report this morning which predicts that most departments will have a change of minister.
Jack Horgan-Jones has also profiled the front-runners for elevation.
The TDS who are likeliest to be promoted seem to be Jennifer Carroll McNeill and Martin Heydon of Fine Gael and Mary Butler, Jim O’Callaghan and James Browne on the Fianna Fáil side. But nothing is beyond certain: Dara Calleary, James Lawless and Hildegarde Naughton have also been mentioned.
5.30pm: The Dáil is scheduled to resume and Micheál Martin will announce the members of the cabinet in addition to the four super junior ministers. There follows a debate on their appointment.
7.15pm: The Dáil will vote to ratify the new Ministers.
7.30pm: The cabinet departs again for Áras an Uachtaráin where each minister will receive a seal of office from the President.
8.30pm: The government of the 34th Dáil will hold its first cabinet meeting in Áras an Uachtaráin.
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