Taoiseach election delayed as Dail halts due to disorder

The election of a new Taoiseach has been postponed again after a heated debate in the Dail (Irish Parliament) brought proceedings to a halt.

The Irish Parliament returned to nominate Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin as the new Prime Minister before he was officially appointed as Prime Minister by President Michael D Higgins.

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy called for a 15-minute suspension after Dála (TD) members refused to sit down, telling her to “stop yelling”.

Sinn Féin and other opposition TDs have expressed outrage at plans to allow independent TDs who support the government to join opposition lawmakers.

Sinn Féin boss Mary Lou McDonald said it was “brazen” for the government to allow the plan to go ahead.

Even after the Dáil reopened, several TDs continued to challenge Murphy over his decision to allow independent TDs who support the government to sit in opposition seats.

They refused to sit down and proceedings were halted for 30 minutes.

The Dáil was adjourned again at approximately 13:15 local time.

The Dáil on the 35th will see Martin elected as taoiseach (prime minister) for a second time, replacing Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, who will return as Tánaiste (deputy prime minister).

The largest party, Fianna Fáil, subsequently formed a government with Fine Gael and various independent local TDs. November election.

Sinn Féin remains the largest opposition party after winning 39 seats. Fianna Fáil won 48 seats and Fine Gael came third with 38 seats.

Martin and Harris confirmed a draft new program for the government. earlier this month.

The deal paves the way for the next government and received successful bipartisan approval in recent days.

After his party approved the program for government, Martin said there was a “strong commitment” on behalf of his party to deliver it for the Irish people.

“I can assure you that we will deliver this program to Government on behalf of the Irish people and will work selflessly to create a better life for our people and improve their quality of life as we navigate this very turbulent global trend. .” he said

Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have ruled out Sinn Féin as a coalition partner, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald calling it out. “bad habit”.

It will be the first time a new government has taken office since the November election, and government negotiations will take about five weeks to complete.

The new Dáil has already become a source of controversy after several independent TDs, including government-backing Michael Lowry, Danny Healy-Rae, Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole, wanted to set up a “technical group” that would allow them speaking time. and other rights of opposition members.

Michael Healy-Rae, another member of the group, said: “As part of a technical group, you are entitled to stand up, ask questions and engage in discussion.”

He told BBC NI: good morning ulster Program: “Supporting the government does not mean you cannot remain silent and participate, ask questions, and ask questions of national and local importance.

“We haven’t changed our minds, but what we’re doing is trying to say that we need a stable, safe, sound, solid government for the next five years, and we’re going to support that because we feel like that’s going to be the case. Being inside the government rather than outside it will help voters and can better serve the country.”

The new Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) – also a local independent councilor – Verona Murphy, the first woman to hold the role, told TDs she would consider submissions opposing the plans but allowed the group to take their original seats “on an interim basis”. .

All other opposition groups are opposed to the idea, labeling it as having a foot in both camps and taking time away from those who want to scrutinize the government.

Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh said: “I think this absolutely undermines the integrity of the Dáil.

“The current order is very clear on that point and we have taken legal advice and Labor has taken legal advice to say the same.

“It is very clear that the technical group is a group comprised of members of the opposition.”

Analysis: Chris Page, BBC News Ireland Correspondent

It was expected that the controversy surrounding the right to speak would cause uproar within the National Assembly.

But the violence has reached levels not widely expected.

The 35th Dail (Ireland’s House of Commons) opened with two successive suspensions, delaying the process to elect the Taoiseach by at least an hour.

In the case of the opposition party, the problem is not how to allocate speaking time, but also how to allocate funds and resources.

They also had the opportunity to get the spotlight from the incoming government on a day that typically focuses on the new Taoiseach, his ministers and their plans to run Ireland in the future.

We can expect the coalition parties to accuse their opponents of creating an undignified spectacle on the nation’s important day.

As part of his multi-day return on Wednesday, Martin will travel to Aras-an-Ukhtarain at approximately 13:00 local time, where he will meet Irish President Michael D Higgins in the main reception room.

The president then signs the warrant of appointment and hands Martin the Taoist seal and government seal.

Afterwards, the appointment of government members will begin around 20:00.

The President signs the Warrants of Appointment of Government Members and the Warrant of Appointment of the Attorney General, and each document is countersigned by the Taoiseach.

The President then bestows the Seal on each Minister in turn.