The Daily Star Ireland
The three largest political parties are set to hold their first parliamentary meetings since the 2024 General Election later today.
Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, and Fine Gael will each convene separately to start negotiating the formation of the next Coalition government.
The effort to establish the new government is now fully underway, with expectations that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will likely return to power together. However, it remains uncertain who will join them in the coalition.
Following the election on Friday, the seat distribution is as follows: Fianna Fáil with 48 TDs, Sinn Féin with 39, Fine Gael with 38, 16 Independents, Labour with 11, Social Democrats with 11, PBP-Solidarity with three, Aontú with two, Independent Ireland with four, Green Party with one, and the 100% Redress Party with one seat.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has indicated that most of the coalition negotiation work could be completed by Christmas, though a final agreement will likely not be reached until the New Year. He emphasized the need for timely talks due to pressing issues the new government will need to address.
Martin mentioned that while substantial progress on forming the coalition could be made by Christmas, the main focus should be on policy. He also noted that most people in the country would prefer a government to be formed as quickly as possible. However, he refrained from discussing details like a rotating taoiseach, stating it was too early for such discussions.
Fianna Fáil will hold its first parliamentary party meeting since the election at midday. Sinn Féin’s leader Mary Lou McDonald, along with likely Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill, will speak to the media this afternoon before their party meeting. Fine Gael’s parliamentary party meeting is scheduled to take place at Leinster House at 2pm.
Additionally, the Social Democrats held an online parliamentary party meeting yesterday, while the Labour Party will hold its meeting tomorrow.
