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An impromptu Healy-Rae rally outside the Dáil was among the highlights on day one. Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Pomp, ceremony and then stalemate: An odd first day for the 32nd Dáil

New TDs bounced into Leinster House, but as an utterly predictable day rolled on, the enthusiasm drained.

THE SUITS WERE dry-cleaned or just-purchased, the shirts were fresh and crisp, the ties impeccably knotted, and the dresses matched the shoes.

It seemed as if every TD, be they newly-elected or returning, had put on their Sunday best for what was to be the strangest of days in Leinster House.

Strange, but predictable. 

Everything went as was expected and at the end of it we’re no closer to knowing what government will be held accountable in the 32nd Dáil.

It was a day of procedure and formalities, but also pride as the new TDs brought their families and their friends to check out the new workplace.

“There’s 158 TDs and only 103 seats,” an usher told those who waited impatiently at the stairs leading to the Dáil chamber, hoping to get onto the visitors’ gallery for a look inside.

Outside on the plinth, the excitement was building from just after 9.30am with new TDs welcoming their family and friends, some of whom were visiting the Dáil for the first time.

Cork South-West independent Michael Collins (Fine Gael missed a trick not recruiting him) joked to one reporter that it was like his first day at school.

I’ve no schoolbag or short pants, but I’m here anyway!

But it seemed the only show in town was the Healy-Raes, as brothers Michael and Danny milked the interest in their incredible electoral achievement in Kerry last month.
https://vine.co/v/iH1KAUZpt7W

There was the return of the Mac as former Fianna Fáil minister Ray MacSharry accompanied his son, Marc, who won a seat for Fianna Fáil in Sligo-Leitrim last month.

“Is he bigger than me? He is today anyway,” said the proud dad as he posed for pictures.

MacSharry senior was back in Leinster House exactly 27 years to the day that he was appointed finance minister.

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Then the bells rang and the formalities began.

Once all safely in the chamber and organised into their seats, TDs listened as Dáil clerk Peter Finnegan read out the proclamation of the 32nd Dáil and the names of each deputy elected to it.

Then it was onto the most intriguing element of the day as the Dáil decided who would chair it.

We heard from the five nominees for Ceann Comhairle before the secret ballot got underway.

Reports this morning indicated that Fine Gael would tactically vote for Seán Ó Fearghail’s election, and so it transpired with the secret ballot yielding the election of the Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare South who is now assured of his seat in the 33rd Dáil – which may not be far off if you believe some.

But while the lengthy counting was underway the real show was taking place outside the gates of Leinster House. Yes, back to the Kerry brothers.

The Healy-Rae brothers, a few other family members and supporters staged an impromptu session while standing on top of car, blocking traffic.
https://www.facebook.com/thejournal.ie/videos/1079532272067196/

If two Healy-Raes was something new then the water protesters who assembled at lunchtime were something very familiar.

They gathered in considerable numbers at the gates as they have done so many times over the last three years with Richard Boyd-Barrett giving his usual bombastic address to an enthusiastic crowd.

https://vine.co/v/iHn3jhDlzdp

Back inside… and Ó Feargháil took the applause from all sides of the house and donned the robes to officially become the new Ceann Comhairle.

“Your job will be a difficult one, no doubt about that,” Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams remarked having had a tempestuous relationship with the last Dáil chair Seán Barrett.

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With his brother beside him, Michael Healy-Rae congratulated the new chair “on behalf of the Healy-Rae party”.

Another election, still no result

Then began the tedious process of nominating, debating and then electing a Taoiseach, when everyone knew the outcome would be stalemate.

Fine Gael’s Noel Rock, having travelled to the Dáil by bus this morning, proposed Kenny on his first day in the chamber.

Fianna Fáíl went for a similar tactic with Lisa Chambers – a constituency rival of Kenny’s – proposing Micheál Martin. Sinn Féin and AAA-PBP opted for experience as Mary Lou McDonald and Ruth Coppinger nominated Gerry Adams and Richard Boyd-Barrett respectively.

A lengthy Dáil debate on the merits of each candidate heard from several speakers, many urging Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to cut a deal and avoid anymore of what many in Leinster House today described as a “charade”.

The four votes on each candidate took well over an hour as TDs walked through the lobbies to state their preference.

There were no surprises, but the odd moment of hilarity, like when Micheal Healy-Rae was spotted sitting in the Taoiseach’s seat.

Screen Shot 2016-03-10 at 17.24.29

Once the formalities were concluded – and no Taoiseach was elected – Kenny addressed the house, informing TDs that he will tender his resignation and then, as caretaker Taoiseach, seek to form a government.

“There are options open to us and we need to examine all those options for a working government that is going to last,” he told the Dáil.

enda

A lengthy debate continued as Sinn Féin attempted, for some considerable time, to table a motion on the abolition of water charges when the Dáil sits again on 22 March.

As tempers flared, you could see the enthusiasm on many newly-elected TDs’ faces already beginning to drain.

Phones were checked, yawns were stifled and the realisation that there’s no end to the impasse in sight began to set in.

Read: No Taoiseach, no government: TDs have failed to elect a Taoiseach for the 32nd Dáil

The Healy-Rae brothers just had a mini concert outside the Dáil because hey, why not?

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36 Comments
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    Mute For Connolly
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:07 PM

    “A lengthy debate continued as Sinn Féin attempted, for some considerable time, to table a motion on the abolition of water charges when the Dáil sits again on 22 March”

    Eh, yeah, you missed the important bit.

    Fianna Fail, who campaigned on suspending water charges, SIDED WITH Fine Gael and Labour to block water charges being debated and voted on when the Dail returns on the 22nd, the same date that the Water Framework Directive comes into force.

    Social media is being blitzed with the information, would be nice to see it on here.

    Don’t forget to act surprised when FF announce they’re hopping into bed with FG, everyone.

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:12 PM

    FF and FG, two sides of the same bent coin.

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    Mute watersedge
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:25 PM

    Micheal Martin should have welcomed this motion. Instead he waffled and looked for any excuse to oppose it for next Tuesday. What is the problem? Thought he wanted to abolish water charges. Oh yes, sorry, he just wants to postpone them for 5 years – what a chancer. He was over chuckling with Joan and Brendan Howlin before they went to vote on it.

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    Mute alphanautica
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    Mar 10th 2016, 10:04 PM

    SF are afraid to govern. Even they know they’d make a mess of it.

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Mar 10th 2016, 10:10 PM

    @ watersedge: It was a disgrace. Fianna Fail didn’t even get to the end of the first bloody day without the mask slipping. Have to say though, seeing Mary Lou in full-on ballbreaker mode with the new Ceann comhairle was brilliant.

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    Mute Vincent Wallace
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    Mar 11th 2016, 1:49 AM

    What you mean Claire Byrne lied when she said that EU exemption ran out in 2010. Shocked!

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    Mute jane
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    Mar 11th 2016, 5:58 AM

    And yet Jammin, Fiona and Watersedge none of ye are calling for your parties to get involved in government. Happy to leave it to FF and FG, even encouraging it and to hell with the poor, unemployed and the homeless. Self preservation comes first for all of ye. Absolute hypocrisy.

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    Mute watersedge
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    Mar 11th 2016, 9:09 AM

    Aw, poor Jane. One of the biggest critics of SF on this site who abhors the party, falls into the category with all the other haters who thinks SF before the election was unfit to govern, immoral, those who vote for them – the same. Now wants them to go into government. Obsessed with SF and 90% of her posts are in relation to attacking SF. Can’t bear to see a party stick to their promises. Hypocrite, me? Have a look in the mirror.

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    Mute jane
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    Mar 11th 2016, 10:10 AM

    Oh you misunderstood, I still think SF are abhorrent. But now they are also liars same as the rest. You see it doesn’t matter if I think they are fit for government, they are now the third largest party and so they have a responsibility. You are most certainly a hypocrite, you have decried the treatment of the poor, unemployed, homeless etc under the previous government but now you want them to continue in government and worse you want them joined by FF. All you care about is the SF agenda and their long term goals. Shame on you.

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    Mute watersedge
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    Mar 11th 2016, 10:49 AM

    LIke you give a toss about the poor, unemployed and homeless. Your fake compassion is stomach churning. You have a track record of only challenging SF, you have just admitted it yourself – you abhor the party and don’t think they are fit for government. I’ve read your other posts. You must be the only person to think that the next government will last any longer than 18 months to 2 years. Sincere, I don’t think so. Your hatred is eating you up. Get a life Jane. I mean, who posts at 6 o clock in the morning banging on about SF? Issues.

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    Mute jane
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    Mar 11th 2016, 12:02 PM

    I was up early this morning, had a coffee and read through a few articles. I think that allowed.
    So are you saying the poor and homeless can wait another 18 months/2 years? I don’t think so. I obviously care more about them than you because I know that the so called grand coalition would be the worst outcome for them. Why are you and the party you support pushing for this?
    If you read back you’ll notice I criticised all the other parties for not involving themselves in the formation of government. You only see it as me criticising SF. Who’s the one obsessed?

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    Mute P Quinn
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:07 PM

    Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

    49
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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Mar 11th 2016, 1:19 AM

    Ireland’s Finest.

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    Mute Luke Sarpish
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:07 PM

    Who didn’t turn up on their first day of work?.I know that langer Lowry didn’t,but who else?

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:16 PM

    In fairness he was at a funeral

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    Mute maura
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:19 PM

    He was at funeral of councillor killed in accident in Portlaoise.

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    Mute Bean Ui Mise
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:53 PM

    Will he be docked pay for not being at work? Attending a funeral of s a personal matter.

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    Mute Luke Sarpish
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:55 PM

    Of course he was.

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:05 PM

    The more that things change, the more that they remain the same. It sounds better in French.

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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:28 PM

    Ze more sings change..ze more they stay ze sam….God you’re right. It does sound better..

    50
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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:42 PM

    Pardon my French. Your French and pronunciation is better than mine.

    Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.

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    Mute David Linehan
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:42 PM

    Government in disarray, “ah sure we’ll break out an auld session, we’ve got what we came for, the pension”, Kerry’s finest.

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    Mute Jimmy
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:57 PM

    Knob.

    11
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    Mute David Linehan
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    Mar 11th 2016, 1:03 AM

    I take it back, the reference of a Dublin / Kerry match in Croker to the current situation of our government has reinstalled my faith of these backward muckers.

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    Mute Adrian
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:35 PM

    Looking at them today, and i know for a lot of them it was their first day, but they all looked like complete amateurs!

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    Mute Adrian
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:40 PM

    In fairness, the TV cameras spent most of the day focusing on the new TDs and the FG party!

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    Mute sparky
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:08 PM

    Ding dong the witch is dead…

    17
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    Mute B McQ
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:31 PM

    “we’re no closer to knowing what government will be held accountable in the 32nd Dáil.” –
    When has any government been held accountable here???

    17
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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:36 PM

    You are the weakest link, Mr. Kenny. Goodbye.

    17
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    Mute Janet Jan Coyle
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:56 PM

    And so the Circus Begins

    11
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    Mute Sean @114
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    Mar 10th 2016, 11:27 PM

    Ah but it’s great having the chuckle brothers in there. The ceili outside followed by the inevitable GAA reference inside from Danny. This double act will be worth the entrance fee alone. First order of business, drink driving permits for all.

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    Mute moe
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    Mar 10th 2016, 11:31 PM

    Jesus, their like children still celebrating . Get on with the job, you were elected to do.

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    Mute @mdmak33
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    Mar 11th 2016, 12:43 AM

    Ff will suffer like labour if they support fg.labour have become insignificant.

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    Mute Amy Wendover
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    Mar 11th 2016, 1:33 AM

    There appears to be a Healy Rae in most of the photos!…must be the new can you spot healy rae competition!

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    Mute Patrick O'Fearghail
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    Mar 10th 2016, 9:10 PM

    They made a mockery of the hard working people of Ireland, fools

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