Ireland’s incoming prime minister, Micheál Martin, has accused opponents of subverting the Irish constitution after his formal election to the role was disrupted by chaotic scenes in the Dáil. The formal ceremony, set for Wednesday, should have seen Martin appointed Taoiseach by the president at 2pm. However, the day descended into disarray as the Dáil session was suspended multiple times.
The row, which centered on the speaking rights of independent TDs, escalated quickly. Independent TDs, many of whom agreed to support Martin’s government, sought to maintain their opposition benches to retain speaking time. This caused procedural confusion and set off a larger dispute over the right of government supporters to hold opposition positions.
Micheál Martin, visibly frustrated, remarked, “This is the first time in 100 years the Dáil has failed to elect a government to fulfil its constitutional obligation.” His remarks were met with harsh criticisms from the opposition, with Labour TD Alan Kelly accusing Martin of undermining democratic processes.
Sinn Féin’s leader, Mary Lou McDonald, labeled the disruption as a deliberate attempt by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to give their independent allies the speaking rights usually reserved for opposition members. This, McDonald argued, was an undemocratic move designed to avoid transparency in government proceedings.
The events highlighted the fragility of the new coalition government, which relies heavily on a confidence and supply deal with 10 independent TDs. While Martin’s election may proceed as scheduled on Thursday, the ongoing dispute over speaking rights remains unresolved. Martin expressed confidence that the issue could be addressed via standing orders but faced resistance from Sinn Féin and Labour, both of which insisted that the matter must be rectified before moving forward with the election.
The turmoil in the Dáil also raises serious questions about Ireland’s readiness to face pressing national issues, including concerns over the Trump administration’s potential impact on US multinationals in Ireland. With the country’s diplomatic priorities on the line, the chaos at home could impede critical international negotiations.
As for the cabinet appointments, Martin’s coalition government is expected to have a cabinet with significant ministerial reshuffling. A notable development is the low representation of women, with just four of the 15 cabinet ministers expected to be women, a ratio of 75:25 men to women, which is considered the lowest in Western Europe.
The uncertainty over the Dáil’s ability to function smoothly has created a sense of urgency among the Irish public, particularly in the wake of the uncertain political climate. The political rift over speaking rights and the government’s shaky foundation raises concerns about the future governance of Ireland in the coming years.
