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    Mikhail Gorbachev

    35th government of Ireland

    Government of Ireland
    Date formed23 January 2025
    People and organisations
    PresidentMichael D. Higgins
    TaoiseachMicheál Martin
    TánaisteSimon Harris
    No. of ministers15
    Member parties
    Status in legislatureMajority Coalition
    91 / 174 (52%)









    Opposition cabinetSinn Féin Front Bench
    Opposition partySinn Féin
    Opposition leaderMary Lou McDonald
    History
    Election2024 general election
    Legislature terms
    Predecessor34th government

    The 35th government of Ireland is the government of Ireland which was formed on 23 January 2025 following the 2024 general election to the 34th Dáil held on 29 November 2024. It is a coalition government of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael with the participation of independent TDs at the rank of minister of state. It has lasted 153 days to date.

    Government formation talks

    Government formation followed negotiations on a programme for government for a coalition government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Regional Independent Group (a group of independent politicians led by former government minister Michael Lowry).[1] Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will serve as Taoiseach, with Fine Gael leader Simon Harris serving as Tánaiste. It was agreed that the government will last until November 2027, after which the positions will rotate, with the Fine Gael leader forming a new government as Taoiseach, and the Fianna Fáil leader serving as Tánaiste.[2]

    It is the second time that Fianna Fáil and Fine 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 the Green Party.

    Nomination of Taoiseach

    The 34th 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 leader Mary Lou McDonald was proposed 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 a technical group supporting the programme for government registering as an opposition group with speaking rights.[6] Amid chaotic scenes, the Dáil was suspended three times before Ceann Comhairle Verona 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] President Michael D. Higgins signed the warrant of appointment and presented the seal of Taoiseach and the seal of Government to Martin at Áras an Uachtaráin.[11]

    23 January 2025
    Nomination of Micheál Martin (FF) as Taoiseach
    Motion proposed by Albert Dolan and seconded by Catherine Ardagh
    Absolute majority: 88/174[12]
    Vote Parties Votes
    checkY Yes Fianna Fáil (48), Fine Gael (37), Independents (10)
    95 / 174
    No Sinn Féin (39), Labour (11), Social Democrats (9), Independents (6), Independent Ireland (4), PBP–Solidarity (3), Aontú (2), 100% Redress (1), Green Party (1)
    76 / 174
    Absent or not voting Ceann Comhairle (1), Fine Gael (1), Social Democrats (1)
    3 / 174

    Government ministers

    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]

    Office Name Term Party
    Taoiseach Micheál Martin 2025–present Fianna Fáil
    Tánaiste Simon Harris Fine Gael
    Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade[a]
    Minister for Defence
    Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe
    Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation[b] Jack Chambers Fianna Fáil
    Minister for Education and Youth[c] Helen McEntee Fine Gael
    Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment[d] Darragh O'Brien Fianna Fáil
    Minister for Transport
    Minister for Children, Disability and Equality[e] Norma Foley
    Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment[f] Peter Burke Fine Gael
    Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary Fianna Fáil
    Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht[g]
    Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport[h] Patrick O'Donovan Fine Gael
    Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
    Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne Fianna Fáil
    Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration[i] Jim O'Callaghan
    Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon Fine Gael
    Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless Fianna Fáil
    1. ^ The Minister for Foreign Affairs was retitled the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on 26 March 2025.[15]
    2. ^ 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]
    3. ^ The Minister for Education was retitled the Minister for Education and Youth on 2 May 2025.[17]
    4. ^ The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications was retitled the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment on 2 June 2025.[18]
    5. ^ The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth was retitled the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality on 2 May 2025.[19]
    6. ^ The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment was retitled the Enterprise, Tourism and Employment on 2 June 2025.[20]
    7. ^ The Minister for Rural and Community Development was retitled the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht on 2 June 2025.[21]
    8. ^ The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media was retitled the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport on 2 June 2025.[22]
    9. ^ The Minister for Justice was retitled the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on 5 June 2025.[23]

    Attorney General

    Rossa Fanning SC was appointed by the president as Attorney General on the nomination of the Taoiseach.[13][3]

    Ministers of state

    Appointments on 23 January 2025

    On 23 January 2025, the government on the nomination of the taoiseach appointed Mary Butler, Hildegarde Naughton, Noel Grealish, and Seán Canney as ministers of state to be in attendance at meetings of the government.[13][3]

    Name Department(s) Responsibility Party
    Mary Butler Taoiseach[24]
    Health[25]     		Government Chief Whip
    Mental Health     		Fianna Fáil
    Hildegarde Naughton Children, Disability and Equality Disability Fine Gael
    Noel Grealish Agriculture, Food and the Marine Food promotion, new markets, research and development Independent
    Seán Canney Transport[26] International and road transport, logistics, rail and ports Independent

    Appointments on 29 January 2025

    On 29 January, a further sixteen ministers of state were appointed by the government.[27][28]

    Office Name Responsibility Party
    Thomas Byrne Taoiseach
    Foreign Affairs and Trade
    Defence     		European affairs
    Defence     		Fianna Fáil
    Michael Moynihan Education and Youth[29] Special education and inclusion Fianna Fáil
    Charlie McConalogue Culture, Communications and Sport Sport and postal policy Fianna Fáil
    Kevin "Boxer" Moran Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Office of Public Works Independent
    Emer Higgins Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Public procurement, digitalisation and eGovernment Fine Gael
    Jennifer Murnane O'Connor Health[30] Public health, well-being and drugs Fianna Fáil
    Michael Healy-Rae Agriculture, Food and the Marine[31] Forestry, farm safety and horticulture Independent
    Neale Richmond Foreign Affairs and Trade International development and diaspora Fine Gael
    Jerry Buttimer Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
    Transport     		Community development, charities, Gaeltacht and the islands
    Rural transport     		Fine Gael
    John Cummins Housing, Local Government and Heritage Local government and planning Fine Gael
    Christopher O'Sullivan Housing, Local Government and Heritage Nature, heritage and biodiversity Fianna Fáil
    Kieran O'Donnell Health[32]
    Housing, Local Government and Heritage     		Older people
    Housing     		Fine Gael
    Robert Troy Finance[33] Financial services, credit unions and insurance Fianna Fáil
    Niall Collins Justice, Home Affairs and Migration[34] International law, law reform and youth justice Fianna Fáil
    Niamh Smyth Enterprise, Tourism and Employment[35] Trade promotion, artificial intelligence and digital transformation Fianna Fáil
    Alan Dillon Enterprise, Tourism and Employment[36]
    Climate, Energy and the Environment     		Small businesses and retail
    Circular economy     		Fine Gael

    Appointments on 25 February 2025

    The government appointed three further ministers of state on the enactment of an amendment to the Ministers and Secretaries Acts increasing the number of ministers of state from 20 to 23.[37][38]

    Office Name Responsibility Party
    Timmy Dooley Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    Climate, Energy and the Environment     		Fisheries
    Marine     		Fianna Fáil
    Colm Brophy Justice, Home Affairs and Migration[39] Migration Fine Gael
    Marian Harkin Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Further education, apprenticeship, construction and climate skills Independent

    Events affecting the government

    See also: 2025 Dáil speaking rights dispute

    Prior to the nomination of Taoiseach, a row ensued after four TDs of the Regional Independent Group (Michael Lowry, Gillian Toole, Barry Heneghan and Danny Healy-Rae) sought to be part of a technical 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.[40] On 3 February 2025, eleven days after the government was formed, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy ruled that the Regional Group could not form a technical group for the purposes of speaking rights.[41] 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.[42]

    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 change standing 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 leader Mary Lou McDonald strongly criticised the move, calling it an "absurd brazen stroke" that would undermine the Dáil.[43] 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.[44] The vote was held on 1 April 2025, with Murphy retaining her position as Ceann Comhairle by 96 votes to 71.[45]

    References

    1. ^ "Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland's Future" (PDF). Government of Ireland (gov.ie). Department of the Taoiseach. 23 January 2025.
    2. ^ Loughlin, Elaine (16 January 2025). "'Ambitious' programme for government with Martin as Taoiseach until November 2027". Irish Examiner.
    3. ^ a b c d "Resignation of the Taoiseach/Nomination of the Tánaiste/Appointment of Members of the Government/Assignment of Departments of State/Appointment of Attorney General/Appointment of Ministers of State" (PDF). Iris Oifigiúil. 2025 (11): 159–161. 7 February 2025.
    4. ^ Constitution of Ireland, Article 28.11.
    5. ^ a b "As it happened: Day one of the 34th Dáil". RTÉ News. 18 December 2024.
    6. ^ Horgan-Jones, Jack (22 January 2025). "Verona Murphy's turbulent first day: 'She should have got the metre stick out'". The Irish Times.
    7. ^ O'Halloran, Marie (22 January 2025). "How it happened: Unprecedented and chaotic scenes in the Dáil". The Irish Times.
    8. ^ Cunningham, Paul (22 January 2025). "Coalition, opposition leaders to meet over Dáil impasse". RTÉ News. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
    9. ^ "Dáil Éireann: Irish Parliament to make second attempt to elect taoiseach". BBC News. 23 January 2025.
    10. ^ Finn, Christina (23 January 2025). "Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin elected as Taoiseach for the second time". TheJournal.ie.
    11. ^ "President Higgins appoints Micheál Martin as Taoiseach". President of Ireland. 23 January 2025.
    12. ^ "Taoiseach a Ainmniú (Atógáil) - Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
    13. ^ a b c "Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government". Dáil Debates. 23 January 2025.
    14. ^ "President appoints members of Government". President of Ireland. 23 January 2025.
    15. ^ Foreign Affairs (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 106 of 2025). Signed on 25 March 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    16. ^ Justice (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 243 of 2025). Signed on 4 June 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    17. ^ Education (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 179 of 2025). Signed on 29 April 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    18. ^ Environment, Climate and Communications (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 235 of 2025). Signed on 27 May 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    19. ^ 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 the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    20. ^ Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 172 of 2025). Signed on 6 May 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    21. ^ Rural and Community Development (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 173 of 2025). Signed on 6 May 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    22. ^ 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 the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    23. ^ Justice (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 242 of 2025). Signed on 4 June 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    24. ^ Statistics (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 23 of 2025). Signed on 5 February 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    25. ^ Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 65 of 2025). Signed on 4 March 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    26. ^ Transport (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 144 of 2025). Signed on 8 April 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    27. ^ "Appointment of Ministers of State" (PDF). Iris Oifigiúil. 2025 (13): 205–206. 14 February 2025.
    28. ^ Cunningham, Paul (29 January 2025). "Record number of junior ministers appointed at Cabinet". RTÉ News.
    29. ^ Transport (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 165 of 2025). Signed on 15 April 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    30. ^ Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 66 of 2025). Signed on 4 March 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    31. ^ Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 244 of 2025). Signed on 4 June 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    32. ^ Health (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 66 of 2025). Signed on 4 March 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    33. ^ Finance (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 189 of 2025). Signed on 6 May 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    34. ^ Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 252 of 2025). Signed on 10 June 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    35. ^ Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 240 of 2025). Signed on 4 June 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    36. ^ Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 241 of 2025). Signed on 4 June 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    37. ^ "Government appoints Ministers of State" (Press release). Department of the Taoiseach. 29 January 2025.
    38. ^ "Appointment of Ministers of State" (PDF). Iris Oifigiúil. 2025 (17): 276. 28 February 2025.
    39. ^ Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 253 of 2025). Signed on 10 June 2025. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
    40. ^ McGlynn, Michelle; Loughlin, Elaine (4 February 2025). "Government to concede in row over Dáil speaking rights". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
    41. ^ Lehane, Mícheál (3 February 2025). "Regional Group cannot form technical group - Ceann Comhairle". RTÉ News. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
    42. ^ Lehane, Mícheál (4 February 2025). "Regional Group, Government will not challenge Murphy decision". RTÉ News. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
    43. ^ Ó Cionnaith, Fiachra; Mag Raollaigh, Joe; Lehane, Mícheál (25 March 2025). "'A holy show' - Chaotic scenes as Dáil passes speaking time vote". RTÉ News.
    44. ^ Lehane, Mícheál (26 March 2025). "Government to vote confidence in Ceann Comhairle". RTÉ News. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
    45. ^ "Speaker of Ireland's parliament survives unprecedented confidence vote". POLITICO. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
    Credit: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/35th_government_of_Ireland

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