Dáil to make second attempt to elect Taoiseach

After a day of chaos, the Dáil (the lower house of the Irish Parliament) will again attempt to elect a Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) on Thursday.

The Dáil was suspended amid chaotic scenes in the chamber on Wednesday.

Politicians gathered to nominate Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin as the new Taoiseach and allow him to be formally appointed to the office by President Michael D Higgins.

However Sinn Féin and other opposition TDs (MPs) expressed their anger at plans to allow independents who support the government to sit on the opposition benches.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael emerged as the largest and third largest parties respectively following the November election and have committed to returning to government together.

Although the Green Party – his coalition partner from 2020–2024 – was reduced to one seat, he mustered the support of a small group of independent TDs.

This was necessary to give him a majority in the Dáil.

The dispute began when four independent TDs who had agreed to support the government wanted to form a “technical group” with two other independent TDs that would provide them with speaking time and other rights from the opposition benches.

This group will be known as Regional Independent Group.

Ceann Comhairle (Chair) Verona Murphy said she would consider submissions opposing the plan, but allowed the group to take their original seats “provisionally” for now.

All other opposition groups are against the idea, saying that the independents who were supporting the government wanted to be in the government and the opposition at the same time and were taking time away from those who wanted to scrutinize the government.

Discussions continued throughout the day on Wednesday to try to find a solution but the talks failed.

There were several heated exchanges in the House as opposition TDs scolded him before Murphy said proceedings would resume on Thursday morning.

As Murphy returned to the chamber at 16:00 after several suspensions, opposition TDs were on their feet.

The CN Comhairle then abandoned plans to elect a Taoiseach, with the proceedings ending in shouting matches among TDs.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said the disruption was completely ridiculous, describing it as an attempt to “obstruct and shout, to disrespect the Ceann Comhairle and the constitutional office”.

Martin said the delay was a “premeditated, coordinated and deliberate situation by the opposition, particularly the Sinn Féin party”.

However Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald claimed that the government had “demonstrated incredible arrogance”.

McDonald said he and other opposition party leaders had written to the incoming coalition leaders requesting a meeting on issues related to the status of independent politicians supporting the government.

Irish broadcaster RTE told that the alliance and opposition leaders are going to meet At 08:30 local time, Dell was suspended to attempt to resolve the issues.

Martin will be elected as Taoiseach for the second time in the 34th Dáil, replacing Fine Gael leader Simon Harris who will return as Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister).

Fianna Fáil – the largest party – has formed a government with Fine Gael and several independent regional TDs. November elections.

Sinn Féin remains the largest opposition party, winning 39 seats.

Fianna Fáil won 48 seats while Fine Gael came third with 38 seats.

Martin and Harris confirm new draft program for government earlier this month.

This agreement paved the way for the next government and was successfully supported by both parties in recent days.

Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael rejected Sinn Féin as a coalition partner, party leader Mary Lou McDonald called for. “Bad practice”.

Analysis: Enda McClafferty, political editor

This was the storm that took the Republic by surprise and left behind a trail of political damage.

Scenes not seen in a century, according to one of the storm’s eyewitnesses.

The TD would later return to the chamber to try to save Dáil’s reputation.

The chaos that led to proceedings being suspended three times blocked the election of Micheál Martin as Taoiseach and the appointment of 15 ministers to cabinet.

The wounds of yesterday will still be visible but if the government is not formed there will be no winner.

Party leaders will meet this morning to find a solution to the crisis arising from the decision to allow independent TDs supporting the government to sit on the opposition benches.

Sinn Féin and other opposition parties have proposed changes to the rules to prevent any TD who talks or supports a program for the government from remaining in opposition.

It is unclear how this proposal will fare with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Both of those parties have indicated willingness to change the rules, but only after the government is formed.

But, opposition parties are insisting that the rules should be changed before the government is formed.

This may be an obstacle that they will have to struggle to overcome.

But, all parties are aware of the potential pitfalls of another political storm today and can reach a compromise somewhere.

Brace yourself if they don’t.