Irish parliament fails to nominate new taoiseach
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The Irish parliament has failed to nominate a new taoiseach, following a row on speaking time. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin had been poised to become the next taoiseach after agreeing a Programme for Government with the Fine Gael party and a selection of independents.
However, a dispute over whether some of those independents would be allocated opposition speaking time ended Wednesday’s proceedings without a new Irish premier. The Dail sitting to nominate a new taoiseach was delayed for hours to allow for talks on resolving the dispute.
Government Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton addressed the chamber after 4.25pm and said the nomination process should proceed. Fianna Fail TD Albert Dolan took to his feet to begin nominating his party leader as taoiseach. Members of Sinn Fein – including leader Mary Lou McDonald, Pearse Doherty and chief whip Padraig Mac Lochlainn – continued to interrupt the sitting.
Mr Doherty described the Ceann Comhairle’s attempts to proceed as a “disgrace”, while Mr Mac Lochlainn said it was “outrageous”. Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy adjourned the Dail until 9am on Thursday, ending a day of chaos inside the chamber which saw multiple suspensions and adjournments.
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael’s agreement on forming a Government with independents sparked the enormous row over parliamentary rules, which has yet to be resolved. Five of the nine independents who entered into negotiations are due to be given junior ministries, with the remainder expressing support for the Programme for Government but not taking up an official post.
