Simon Harris has described Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald’s behaviour in the Dáil as “stunt politics” and “disgraceful”.
The outgoing Taoiseach has said that Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was “the only leader” that spoke today, during the second meeting of the Dáil since the election.
Elected TDs met in Dáil Éireann today to nominate the new Taoiseach and appoint cabinet Ministers.
After suspending proceedings three times, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy suspended the Dáil sitting until tomorrow morning at 9am – therefore halting the election of a Taoiseach.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who will most likely be elected Taoiseach tomorrow morning, said that what happened today was a “subversion of the Irish Constitution”.
“Are you seriously suggesting that the speaking rights of four people trumps the Irish Constitution,” Deputy Martin asked a journalist at a press conference following the disruption of the Dáil due to argument over technical groups' speaking time.
"The most fundamental obligation of the Dáil is to elect a Taoiseach and indeed to elect a government," he said.
The Dáil has been suspended yet again - delaying the election of a Taoiseach pic.twitter.com/3d0Qs04mfZ
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) January 22, 2025
He added that the scenes were a "premeditated" and "coordinated" effort by the opposition - Sinn Féin in particular.
“This has never happened in the history of the State before,” Deputy Martin said.
Fine Gael whip Hildegarde Naughton said that in the third suspension of the Dáil, when party whips met to resolve issues, there was an “agreement made” that they would “allow the democratic process continue”.
“We shook hands on it… and [the opposition] reneged on that,” she said.
The Dáil will meet tomorrow morning at 9am to most likely elect Micheál Martin as Ireland’s new Taoiseach, alongside the appointment of cabinet members.
Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris speak to media outside Government Buildings. 22/01/2025 Photograph: Alan Rowlette / © RollingNews.ie
