We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
BUSINESS AT LEINSTER House has been getting back to normal after a prolonged period of limbo while talks on forming a new government continued for 70 days.
During the week we found out who our new junior ministers will be.
We were also introduced to Fianna Fáil’s front bench, having previously seen who Sinn Féin’s spokespeople in the 32nd Dáil will be.
There were some interesting moves, new faces and snubs.
So, who in the two biggest opposition parties will face off against our new Fine Gael and Independent Alliance ministers?
There are plenty of familiar faces, but a good mix of new ones too.
We’ve taken a look at which ministers and spokespeople have responsibilities for some of the key portfolios.
Finance
Public expenditure and reform
Housing, planning and local government (including water charges)
Health
Mental Health
Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
Education and Skills
Defence
Social Protection
Justice and Equality
Transport
Talking points
Many of the ministries are still in the hands of familiar Fine Gael faces, but there are some new people in the mix.
Simon Harris, who was elected in the Wicklow constituency just five year ago, has made arguably the biggest leap – from junior minister at the department of finance to health minister.
He replaces Leo Varadkar, who moved to social protection – the role vacated by former Tánaiste and Labour leader Joan Burton. The Dublin West TD denied his new position was a demotion, rather a “sideways move”.
It’ll be interesting to see what some of the new ministers do while in office, perhaps most notably Shane Ross in transport and Mary Mitchell O’Connor, who was a surprise choice for the jobs portfolio.
Ross has previously publicly criticised groups and people he will now need to work with, including transport provider CIE and Siptu’s Jack O’Connor.
Last week, he told the Marian Finucane show that, while he stands by his previous comments, he wants to “throw out an olive branch” to people such as O’Connor, adding: “We’re going to have to both put the past behind us.”
More female TDs
Fianna Fáil had a serious woman problem in the last Dáil.
After prominent senator Averil Power left the party in acrimonious circumstances – she criticised how its marriage referendum campaign was handled and called Micheál Martin “a leader without any followers” – the party had just one female member of the Oireachtas: Senator Mary White, who decided not to seek re-election.
This time around, Fianna Fáil had six female TDs to chose from for front bench positions. The following women got the nod:
Meanwhile, Senator Catherine Ardagh was named as the party’s Seanad leader.
Chambers will go head-to-head with the Taoiseach in her role as defence spokesperson.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterFF's Lisa Chambers and supporters in good form in #mayo #ge16 pic.twitter.com/NAyUB5mlJX
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) February 28, 2016
Despite being new to the fold, she was a natural choice for this portfolio – having served for 13 years in the Reserve Defence Forces. The role could also pave the way for her to take over the justice brief at some stage.
A notable omission from the Fianna Fáil front bench is Carlow Kilkenny TD John McGuinness, the party’s former spokesman on small business and chair of the Public Accounts Committee. He publicly criticised the party’s direction more than once.
Speaking at the front bench launch during the week, Martin said he will consider re-appointing McGuinness as a committee chair. However, it looks unlikely this will be with the PAC.
Sinn Féin shuffle
Sinn Féin’s new justice spokesperson Jonathan O’Brien had a pop at Fianna Fáil’s front bench when it was announced, calling it the “Fine Gael B Team”, referring to the party backing the Fine Gael-led minority government.
Sinn Féin added nine more TDs, with 23 representing the party in the new Dáil. This was a good result for the party, but many people expected it to do better based on opinion polls.
Several new faces have been given front bench roles as the party looks to make more gains during another term in opposition.
First-time TDs now at the top table include:
It’s also notable that the party is putting a particular emphasis on mental health and suicide prevention, giving this portfolio to deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald.
Her previous brief of public expenditure and reform is now under Cullinane, a former senator.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Looks a pretty weak front bench , you have to hand it to Enda though , he has learned from Bertie by putting all potential threats into the poison chalices and appointing the likes of MMOC to jobs , who in fairness makes Enda look like an intellectual heavy weight , this appointment above all else shows political expediency outweighs national interest
It dose not matter who is in power because the eu call the shots in this country… And it use to be the Irish people that called the shots here,
As we seen seen from the recent O’Higgins whitewash, FF will offer no effective opposition during the course of this Dàil. This minority arrangement is all about stemming the tide of change the people of Ireland voted for in the last election, even if that means burying allegations of corruption that led to the death of an Irish citizen. Democracy will absent for the foreseeable.
So the first ever bill passed while defeating the government was a FF bill. Getting the policies from your manifesto implemented sounds like a pretty effective opposition party to me.
I know a even better way of getting elements of your manifesto implemented. Go into government with the like minded party you have negotiated to support instead of playing games with the democratic process from the opposition benches.
Going into government was an option for FF but thankfully they said no. This new arrangement gives a lot more power to the dail rather than a big government and a lot more voices will be heard which will result in consensus rather than guillotine that took place over the last five years. One way your policies will not be implemented is to sit on your hands while throwing insults.
Keep dreaming. FF will support FG on all the pre agranged matters, they can talk about Dàil reform all they like but budgets etc will be passed without any real debate just as they have been for years under recent FF & FG led governments.
How can FF be in opposition after voting in a minority Government Jonathan o Brien is right when he says FG B team.
Ahh pity you do not understand how minority governments work. You should look it up.
Do you honestly think that FF are going to agree with Sinn Fein or Independents on anything .They propped up FG and that is how they will crawl for the remainder of this Government how ever long it lasts no need to look anything up I have never took advice from a door handle .
It has already happened Donal. SF and FF managed to defeat the government on the mortgage bill this week. You will see a lot of cooperation on the opposition benches during this term. Good advice can come from the strangest of places doorhandles see and hear everything.
Embarrassing Donal, it’s already happened.
Have to say door handle is shining this morning have not seen news in a few days, embarrassing it is
my apologises all round
Thank you for noticing my sparkle Donal. I understand people are cynical but if the politicians keep to their word of been constructive on both the government and opposition benches we could just have a parliament for the ppl by the ppl.
Typical john Mcguiness was actually doing a good job in the Pac committee and they move him. Apparently doing a good job gets you fired!
In fairness it’s probably his open criticism of party leaders that got him pushed out, and not his work. He’s either deliberately abrasive or very naive and made no secret of having leadership ambitions over the last 5 years, when anyone with ambition usually keeps their challenges private and backs the leader in public
Who’ll be up against WHOM in the new Dáil?
It’s all above there, have a gander…….no shortage of dubious ‘sin-tax’ anomalies among that lot! ;~}
For whom does the bell toll… Dail bar closing time lol.
Helen McEntee vs Mary L McD = comedy gold both as useless as each other
Rubbish.
I’m on the record as being acutely against Sinn Fein generally, and particularly against their economic and justice policies, but Mary Lou is one of the most capable politicians in this country, and I’d be happy with her in any ministry other than finance, as much as she wrecks my head.
I’m not sure what’s worse, the Government or the so called opposition.
More bollocks!
The old double-barrelled surname brigade are out in force.
It is good to see those ladies respecting not just one, but the two most important men in their lives – their husbands and their fathers, by using both their surnames.
There are more Fine Gael ministers now than in the last government.
And people delude themselves there’s going to be change?
A paddling of lame ducks
Remember all that talk into an investigation into affairs at IBRC, NAMA etc. Where are the calls for action on this and things like the Moriarty report. People are talking about a housing crisis yet Nama is giving away 100s of homes for pennies on the pound. These are important issues that deserve public attention rather than this pantomime of where the clowns will be placed in this circus.
This dail will do well to last 2 years. Chaos in the wake of Brexit, financial debt and stock market bubble unwinding in the US, another euro crisis in greece, portugal etc. a new crisis in Italy which is the eurozone 4th biggest economy. There are a lot of external shocks that could unhinge an already shaky government.
How very true with a GFC on the horizon hat will make the previous look like a mere blip, it will be an interesting 12 months. The U.S economy headed for below the basement, the UK regardless of the outcome is in for a rough ride and the extended issues within the EU is only set to accelerate. If and when the TTIP fails to pass, it will further destabilise US relations and all is basically set now for turbulence without a parachute.
Not an FG supporter but have got to know Helan Mc Entee quite well through work. I think she will be a faboulas minister for mental health.
The thoughts of a SF/IRA justice spokesperson is brilliant. Someone should tell him that “Getting that f#@&kers number plate” is not an appropriate punishment in a civilised society.
Until this country gets away from the bullshit politics of opposition nothing meaningful will ever be done.
Must be standing room only at the Dail bar now lol.
The other joke I had was far worse and that was not about a unisex Dail toilet either lol.
What happened to Children & Youth Affairs? Minister Catherine Zappone:FG Anne Rabbitte: SF Sandra Mc Lellan…
Thought you might have included Children & Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone; FF Anne Rabbitte; SF Sandra Mc Lellan?
have your say