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THIS AFTERNOON, Micheál Martin will become the next Taoiseach of Ireland.
The Fianna Fáil leader has been Tánaiste since December 2022 and previously to that, he served as Taoiseach for two years.
A new Cabinet will also be formed today, with speculation rife about who might be getting moved up the political ladder.
It will be a busy day in Leinster House, but The Journal will be bringing you all the latest as it happens throughout the day.
The day will officially kick off at 11am in Leinster House, with the business of the day the first thing on the agenda.
Expect some fireworks from the get-go, with members of the Opposition due to raise serious concerns about some members of the Regional Independent group getting Oppositing speaking time, despite them being in the room for government formation talks.
Sinn Féin will nominate Mary Lou McDonald, but she won’t have the numbers.
Fianna Fáil will nominate Martin as the next Taoiseach, and TDs will then cast their vote on whether or not they want to see him become Taoiseach.
Fianna Fáil won the most seats in the Dáil following the general election, winning 48 seats while Sinn Féin – the main opposition party in the last Dáil – won 39.
Fine Gael was third with 38 seats, so with the addition of support from the Independents, Martin will have a majority in the House to get him over the line and into the top job.
After the Dáil voting process is complete, probably around 1.30pm, Martin will make his way to Áras an Uachtaráin where he will be formally appointed Taoiseach by President Micheal D. Higgins.
After this, Martin will then return to Government Buildings, and begin summoning his new Cabinet members to his office to tell them what ministry they will be getting.
The Dáil begins again at 5.30pm, where it is expected that the new Cabinet members will be voted for and approved by the Dáil. A debate on their appointment will follow.
The new ministers will then travel to the State Reception Room in Áras an Uachtaráin where the president will then present each minister with their Seal of Office.
The incoming Tánaiste is expected to take on a beefed-up foreign affairs brief, with a focus on trade and diplomatic relations as the political world faces a difficult few years.
Fianna Fáil are minded to hold on to the Housing department brief, with speculation that Darragh O’Brien will stay on as minister.
Education Minister Norma Foley is also tipped to stay at the Cabinet table, though there is uncertainty as to whether she will stay in her current position with talk that she could be the new Social Protection and Rural Affairs Minister or possibly take on the Higher Education brief.
Names in the mix and being talked about for promotion are Fianna Fáil’s James Browne, Mary Butler, James Lawless, Niall Collins and Dara Calleary and Thomas Byrne, with some mentioning Catherine Ardagh as a possible newcomer. In terms of Fine Gael options, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Martin Heydon, Hildegarde Naughton and Alan Dillon are also being mentioned.
One ministry that is under the spotlight is Agriculture, with some within both parties stating that Heydon might be elevated to the role, however, some state the moving of Fianna Fáil’s Charlie McConalogue would be deemed unfair.
It is believed that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will exchange a number of Cabinet departments, such as the Justice brief and possibly the Health portfolio.
Dublin Bay South TD Jim O’Callaghan has been mentioned as a possible Justice Minister, but there are mixed views around Leinster House as to whether he could get the nod as the next Attorney General. Most are saying that it would be an unusual move by the party leader, but it would result in the party having another Cabinet position.
The current Justice Minister, Fine Gael’s Helen McEntee, is speculated to be the next Enterprise Minister, though there’s some mutterings she might move to Education.
Meanwhile, Carroll MacNeill is being tipped for Health, although some within her party state that it is not a portfolio she would be pushing for.
As reported by The Journal previously, the current Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will be split, with Integration set to move to the Department of Justice.
During the government formation talks, there were split views among the negotiating teams on whether to put the energy brief into Department of Enterprise, but it’s believed it might not be tacked on now.
Disability and Children will form one department, but it remains to be seen who what party might take on the department, which will cover an area which was one of the central debates in the general election.
In terms of the Department of Finance, it is expected that Paschal Donohoe will take back his old job, with Fianna Fáil’s Jack Chambers heading up the beefed up Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery.
A separate Department of infrastructure, which Simon Harris wanted to establish, is not on the cards.
Donohoe and Chambers’ roles are expected to rotate alongside the Taoiseach rotation, with the draft programme for government stating that Micheál Martin will leave the Taoiseach’s job on 16 November 2027.
You can keep up with all the latest as it happens by following our liveblog throughout the day.
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Organised Criminal Syndicate: that’s what FFG/Independents are. Coverup of crimes, theft of public funds in overinflated projects, racketeering and PR spoofing are what their members benefit from. Another 5 years of broken electoral promises and weekly corruption scandals that will cost taxpayers dearly, with more of “lessons will be learnt” minus criminal convictions!
@Jose mourinho: Another five years of McDonald and the poisonous shinners on the opposition benches!! Life couldn’t be any better..
@Jose mourinho: You are 100% correct, well said.
@Jose mourinho: unfortunately you can not vote them out because they merge together to keep wasting tax payers money. They know it.
That is why they dont give an absolute f. about the people of the land. They are only interested in making their , friends and family pockets bigger in the expense of an ordinary tax payers money.
@Jose mourinho: Back to bed dear child. At least for the moment we have respectable politicians not like the ilk that’s ruining America.
@Jose mourinho: you could always apply for a visa in the US?
@Jose mourinho: whatever your political stance , the terms “organised crime” and “politics” are heavily linked to Sinn Fein for years for a reason. Oh no wait.. Gerry Adam’s wasn’t in the IRA..
@David Glynn: hahahahaa in what galaxy are they respectable?? Looool
@David Glynn: respectable? Think you need a few more hours in the scratcher.
@Jose mourinho: do you not understand how voting works? No guns were put to any heads to vote FF or FG, people have spoken. Now don’t mention guns to heads for SF…
@Jose mourinho: At least as a shinner you’ve plenty experience of dealing with criminality
@Unamumagunga:
Me Hall clowns
Mary Loo frowns
They should enact The Bereaved Partners Pension Bill, it was passed on this day last year and nothing has been done since then.
@Maria Doyle: They couldn’t give a flying fluck, unfortunately maria.
@Paul Gorry: You’re spot on Paul.
We get the same spoofing, deceitful, untrustworthy individual as before. More of the same, virtually. The fact he’s doing business with Lowry says it all. But people voted for Lowry and this new government so no more complaining. We got literally what we voted for. A most easily bought electorate.
@Andrew Kenny: Agreed, but Me’Hole brings grifting to a new high!
@Andrew Kenny: it’s worse than that. Our so-called TDs are saying that he was democratically elected!. But that was the people of Tipperary, who are his beneficiaries. The rest of us didn’t vote for him. So politics is full of lies and deceit that is being rewarded. ‘See it, sort it, say nothin’
@Andrew Kenny: l didn’t vote for them new government we need not the same old same old
Absolutely nothing new.
Nothing new about this career grifter, been gaslighting the Irish people for a long time now!
New Taoiseach LOL…An absolute charlatan
New ???????
Great another waster
@Dave f Doe: its a pity who ever is your father is didnt pull out
@Dave f Doe: yours should of swallowed
@I’m a robot Robot: hey I’ve got one .. you should have been conceived in Iceland
The head of that lad above.It brings the face of gangsterism to a whole new level.As for the Donegal lad behind him surely he is not going to represent the farmers again.
@Willie Marty: The Minister for Agriculture should not be representing farmers, that’s why they have their IFA’s etc. The minister is there to implement the policies of government whether farmers like it or not (same as every other department).
@The next small thing: thats what i said if you read it properly.
I see 2 problems here.
1 We Irish are still simple-minded like our ancestors. ( Shure didn’t his father fix the road )
2 There’s a big problem with the voting system used in Ireland.
Take your pick.
@Dave f Doe: you need to see a specialist, buddy
Groundhog Day
@Bill Collins: I got you Babe….
Looking at the comments on here ye would be forgiven for thinking ff are the least popular party In the country.so who voted for them?
@Gavin Smartr: the old & well off and people in denial.
@Gavin Smartr: the ones that does not remember what happened yesterday
@Gavin Smartr: It’s an echo chamber, nothing less. Everyone had an opportunity to vote or not vote. When the result was arrived at, a coalition was needed to be formed and was as per our constitution. Now, it’s what you describe.
Had SF, Labour, and SDs formed a coalition, for example, it would be like Trumps inauguration, but that hasn’t happened now the grief truly begins. Our democracy is a very fair one where a vote can be used multiple times in electing TDs this favours smaller parties and independents, now it’s called into question because essentially the same government has been returned.
@Dean Carroll: Who’s vote is exactly as valid as yours. It’s like a school yard with the blaming and finger pointing .
@Gavin Smartr: I’d say the daoine who like sitting on their r e a r s doing nuthin for no one, are the same ones spewing far right propaganda in our country.
To qualify as a member of the corrupt syndicate above one needs to be well able to tell lies while keeping a straight face while at the same time being able to let water run off your back like a duck.
New taoiseach or a regurgitate fart?
“If there is an idiot in power those who elected him are well represented”-Mahat Ma Ghandi.
@Dave f Doe: do u ever get sick of slagging of shinners every single article get a job
@Willie Marty: is that the same Gandhi who said the Jews should have jumped off cliffs
I’m sure he’ll do just as good a job as last time.
Same as last government nothing new here you get what you vote for enjoy next 4 years with them
@Dave f Doe: wrong, ffg is one big corporate party they are staying in power
@Dave f Doe: lonely weirdo up all hours again. Handy being unemployed
Today we get a new Taoiseach, it says.
I say, tell someone who gives a ….
Sad sad say for Ireland
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
There’s nothing new about him. We know him like the back of our hands the lizard leader.
Does nothing for anybody only for himself and his government definitely not my leader
He’s not an new Taoiseach, he’s just another two face FF/FG gangster. Haughey or Hearn were not as flayed as him, and that’s saying a lot.
No Minister for infrastructure is a mistake.
@Neil Harvey: Agreed, new infrastructure is the most important area that needs major investment and should have it’s own department and not just be an afterthought or bribes for the independents support.
The drip feed of who’s a minister is pathetic. A minimum of two more weeks of nsm writing speculative articles as of 8 weeks after we voted.
@Trevor Beacom: AhbTrev it’s great fun kiddd. The suspense is killing
Sure he’s only temporary so nothing here to get excited about.
@Ned: they are all only temporary
Very brave of TheJournal to issue this article, with comments open, and then go to bed :-)
Wow A brand new Government, so different from the last one (NOT)
Uughhh
All we would need now, is Lowry for minister for justice, bertie becoming president next year, and then Ireland really is a banana repubic bingo card would be completed
For those who might forget or have already forgotten: 2008.
Is the same as Putin is the new president every time he is elected.
Nothing new only the suit
Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, mehole is bacccckkkkk………whatdafook
And then they promptly vanish for two weeks. Amazing
Whoever voted for this lot will never learn. “Enjoy your winnings Polly”!
The word “new” hardly seems appropriate.
Nothing new about Martin or FF !
The Fox and the crow fable.
That is how the EU will get the Apple tax from Ireland.
Oh, what a great country you are,
the best in Europe
Now cough up.
Our lot love a bit of flattery.
Hardly “new”. We get the old Israeli propaganda star back to continue his work of making housing unaffordable to everyone except his rich mates.
Let’s see who gets the Ministries of Housing & Disabilities
Donell says no harring in the white house
It is refreshing to know we will get a Government who will do their best for the people of Ireland.
They will no doubt make errors,as would any chosen Government.,
When you see the abusive,dictator that has taken on the role of controlling every person in America,deciding how they will live,and forcing them to be,and do things that are against the morals ,and wills of any decent person.
Releasing dangerous criminals into society because it makes him feel powerful.
Trump’s invitation to the St.Patrick’s day presentation should absolutely be boycotted.
There is no way he will be allowed stay in power.
The stability of America depends on it.
Not exactly ‘new’. Another round of this cr_p with him again at the helm.
Nasty little effing weasal.
have your say