2025 in Irish politics: A messy Dáil start, more housing woes and, finally, a new president

Government formation, or something like it

Any prospect of a left-wing party such as Labour going into government had vanished like festive snow on the ditch over the Christmas period this time last year, and January brought the crisp winter clarity that the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael coalition would rely instead on an eclectic clatter of independents to return to power.

The involvement of one Michael Lowry, seen as the de facto leader of the Independent group, immediately aroused suspicions of secret constituency deals, which the Government denied. Leaning on Lowry also exposed the Coalition to harsh criticism, with a whole new political generation dusting off the findings of the Moriarty tribunal which criticised Lowry’s behaviour as “profoundly corrupt”. Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael came under tremendous pressure about Lowry’s involvement in government formation. In one unfortunate media doorstep, the prospective Taoiseach Micheál Martin told journalists that Lowry would “not be in government to do any corruption”.

The new Government was expected to form on Wednesday, January 22nd. But what should have been a gala days of civility and ceremony in Leinster House descended into absolute acrimony, when the opposition derailed proceedings in protest at “so-called Independent” TDs, who were propping up the Government, being given Opposition speaking time. It was quantum politics from TDs who seemed to want to exist in two states at once; Government and Opposition.

The wild melee in the chamber, which became a long-running spat known as the speaking rights row, was a baptism of fire for the newly minted Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy. In the fracas of one particularly chaotic day in the Dáil, Lowry gave Paul Murphy a now infamous two finger salute which, after being captured on camera by the socialist TD, became t