It is the second time thatFianna Fáil andFine Gael have participated in the same government; the two parties were in government during the lifetime of the previous Dáil, from June 2020 to January 2025, with theGreen Party.
The34th Dáil first met on 18 December. Harris resigned as Taoiseach before the Dáil convened.[3] Under the provisions of Article 28.11 of the Constitution, the members of the government continued to carry out their duties until their successors were appointed.[4]Sinn Féin leaderMary Lou McDonald wasproposed for nomination as Taoiseach, with other parties abstaining from nomination as the government formation talks had not yet concluded.[5] McDonald failed to obtain majority support.[5]
On 22 January 2025, the Dáil again met to consider nominations for the position of Taoiseach. Opposition parties raised the issue of atechnical group supporting the programme for government registering as an opposition group with speaking rights.[6] Amid chaotic scenes, the Dáil was suspended three times beforeCeann ComhairleVerona Murphy suspended sitting for the day.[7]Micheál Martin said the failure to elect a Taoiseach was "the subversion of the Irish constitution" and a "premeditated" and "coordinated" effort by the opposition, adding it was the first time in over 100 years that the Dáil had failed to elect a government.[8]
On 23 January 2025, following talks between party leaders, the Dáil again sat to consider the nomination of the Taoiseach.[9] Micheál Martin and Mary Lou McDonald were proposed, with the nomination of Martin approved by a vote of 95 to 76. The nomination of Mary Lou McDonald was not considered.[10]PresidentMichael D. Higgins signed thewarrant of appointment and presented the seal of Taoiseach and the seal of Government to Martin atÁras an Uachtaráin.[11]
After his appointment as Taoiseach by the president, Martin proposed the members of the government and they were approved by the Dáil.[13] They were appointed by the president on the same day.[14][3]
^The Minister for Foreign Affairs was retitled the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on 26 March 2025.[15]
^The Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform was retitled the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation on 5 June 2025.[16]
^The Minister for Education was retitled the Minister for Education and Youth on 2 May 2025.[17]
^The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications was retitled the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment on 2 June 2025.[18]
^The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth was retitled the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality on 2 May 2025.[19]
^The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment was retitled the Enterprise, Tourism and Employment on 2 June 2025.[20]
^The Minister for Rural and Community Development was retitled the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht on 2 June 2025.[21]
^The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media was retitled the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport on 2 June 2025.[22]
^The Minister for Justice was retitled the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on 5 June 2025.[23]
The government appointed three further ministers of state on the enactment of an amendment to theMinisters and Secretaries Acts increasing the number of ministers of state from 20 to 23.[38][39]
Prior to the nomination of Taoiseach, a row ensued after four TDs of theRegional Independent Group (Michael Lowry,Gillian Toole,Barry Heneghan andDanny Healy-Rae) sought to be part of atechnical group, granting them Dáil speaking rights and positioning itself on the opposition benches, while also supporting the government. This was rejected by opposition parties, resulting in chaotic exchanges in the Dáil.[41] On 3 February 2025, eleven days after the government was formed,Ceann ComhairleVerona Murphy ruled that the Regional Group could not form a technical group for the purposes of speaking rights.[42] This was welcomed by opposition parties. The next day, the Regional Independent Group and government parties conceded and said they would not challenge Murphy's ruling.[43]
However, on 25 March, angry and chaotic exchanges broke out in the Dáil again leading Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy to adjourn the session after the government won a vote to changestanding orders which allowed the Regional Independents' technical group, coalition backbenchers and government-aligned independents additional speaking time in the Dáil, a reduction in time for debating the order of business and halving Taoiseach's Questions time. Taoiseach Micheál Martin defended the changes, stating that they did not alter Opposition speaking time or reduce government accountability, dismissing Opposition reactions as "wholly disproportionate."Sinn Féin leaderMary Lou McDonald strongly criticised the move, calling it an "absurd brazen stroke" that would undermine the Dáil.[44] The following day, the Opposition parties informed Murphy that they had no confidence in her to perform the role of Ceann Comhairle and that she had a week to consider resigning before they tabled an official motion of no confidence in her.[45] The vote was held on 1 April 2025, with Murphy retaining her position as Ceann Comhairle by 96 votes to 71.[46]
On 15 October 2025, a motion of confidence in theTánaisteSimon Harris proposed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin was approved with 94 votes in favour to 65 against, with one abstention.[47]
^Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 180 of 2025). Signed on 29 April 2025. Statutory Instrument of theGovernment of Ireland. Retrieved fromIrish Statute Book.
^Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 236 of 2025). Signed on 27 May 2025. Statutory Instrument of theGovernment of Ireland. Retrieved fromIrish Statute Book.
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