By Cillian Sherlock, PA
Micheál Martin is poised to become Ireland’s next taoiseach, as the Dáil meets to nominate a new head of government today (Wednesday).
Mr Martin’s Fianna Fáil emerged as the largest party following the general election at the end of November.
After weeks of government formation talks, Fianna Fáil has agreed to re-enter into a coalition with Fine Gael, led by outgoing Taoiseach Simon Harris.
The two parties combined are just shy of a majority in the Dáil and will be supported by several Independent TDs for the five-year term, following lengthy negotiations.
The Dáil will meet from 11am on Wednesday where Mr Martin will be formally nominated as taoiseach.
Sinn Féin, the largest opposition party, intends to nominate its leader Mary Lou McDonald during the proceedings.
However, the outcome of the government formation talks suggests that Mr Martin will be approved by the Dáil.
In that event, he will then travel across Dublin to Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the President, where Michael D Higgins will sign the warrant of appointment and hand Mr Martin the Seal of the Taoiseach at around 2pm.
Later on Wednesday evening, the new taoiseach will nominate members of the next government.
The incoming Cabinet will also travel to the State Reception Room of Áras an Uachtaráin to receive their Seals of Office.
The final make-up of that Cabinet will be closely watched with selected departments expected to be reshaped as some portfolios swap between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
Fianna Fáil will hold most Cabinet positions, with Independents securing two “super junior” ministries with seats at the table during formation talks.
The Independents-backed Government has already been faced with a number of rows around the make-up of the coalition.
Independent TD Michael Lowry acted as a key negotiator for those in the Regional Independents Group that have agreed to enter into government.
Mr Lowry’s past behaviour was described in a tribunal as “profoundly corrupt to a degree that was nothing short of breathtaking”.
Gardaí investigating matters examined by Tribunal recently sent a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to their findings.
Mr Lowry has maintained that “there is no basis for any liability attaching to me”
Meanwhile, some of the Independent TDs involved in the groups which have expressed support for the Programme for Government have sought to keep their Dáil speaking time in opposition technical groups.
The Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, Verona Murphy, has indicated that this will be allowed under legal advice she has received.
Ms Murphy, who was re-elected as an Independent TD for Wexford, was appointed to the speaker position in December ahead of a deal on Government formation with regional independents.
Opposition parties, including Sinn Féin, Labour and the Social Democrats, are objecting to the government supporters receiving opposition speaking time.
They have filed a submission to Ms Murphy on the basis of alternative legal advice which contradicts her official position.
She has indicated that she will consider the submission but will allow the government-supporting independents to speak from opposition benches in the interim.
Mr Martin (64) previously served as taoiseach in the last coalition government with Fine Gael and the Green Party.
That coalition introduced a “rotating taoiseach” mechanism which saw the top office swapped between the leaders of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael midway through the term.
The arrangement will be repeated, although on a three-to-two year basis in favour of Fianna Fáil in recognition of the party securing a 10-seat lead over Fine Gael.
It continues a partnership which began in 2020 and set aside almost a century of animosity between the two parties forged opposing sides of the Civil War of the 1920s.
Mr Martin, from Cork, cites the moment Ireland became the first country to implement a workplace smoking ban in 2004 during his time as health minister as among his proudest political achievements.
The son of an international boxer, he has also held Cabinet ministries for enterprise, foreign affairs, defence and education.
He has been the leader of Fianna Fáil since 2011.
Mr Harris, the outgoing Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael, will take the role of tánaiste.
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