34th Dáil

34th Dáil
33rd Dáil
Overview
Legislative bodyDáil Éireann
JurisdictionIreland
Meeting placeLeinster House
Term18 December 2024 – present
Election2024 general election
Government
Members174
Ceann ComhairleVerona Murphy
Leas-Cheann ComhairleJohn McGuinness
TaoiseachMicheál Martin
TánaisteSimon Harris
Chief WhipMary Butler
Leader of the OppositionMary Lou McDonald
Sessions
1st18 December 2024 – present

The 34th Dáil was elected at the 2024 general election on 29 November 2024 and first met on 18 December 2024. The members of Dáil Éireann, the house of representatives of the Oireachtas (legislature) of Ireland, are known as TDs. It is sitting with the 27th Seanad as the Houses of the Oireachtas. There are 174 TDs in the 34th Dáil, an increase of 14 from the 33rd Dáil.

The 34th Dáil must be dissolved by the president at the request of the taoiseach within five years of its first sitting. It has lasted 207 days to date.

Composition

Party Nov. 2024[a] Dec. 2024[b] Change
Fianna Fáil 48 48
Sinn Féin 39 39
Fine Gael 38 38
Social Democrats 11 10 1
Labour 11 11
Independent Ireland 4 4
PBP–Solidarity 3 3
Aontú 2 2
Green 1 1
100% Redress 1 1
Independent[c] 16 16
Ceann Comhairle 1 1
Total 174

Government coalition parties denoted with bullets ()

  1. ^ Seats won at the 2024 general election.
  2. ^ Composition of the Dáil following the election of Verona Murphy as Ceann Comhairle.
  3. ^ 5 independents form part of the government with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Ceann Comhairle

The first order of business of the 34th Dáil on 18 December 2024 was to elect a new Ceann Comhairle. Four candidates were nominated: John McGuinness (FF), Verona Murphy (Ind), Seán Ó Fearghaíl (FF), who had served as Ceann Comhairle in the 32nd and 33rd Dáil, and Aengus Ó Snodaigh (SF). Murphy was elected as Ceann Comhairle, the first woman to hold the role.[1][2][3]

On 19 February 2025, the Clerk of the Dáil declared Aengus Ó Snodaigh (SF) and John McGuinness (FF) as validly nominated candidates for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle.[4] McGuinness was elected by a vote of 96 to 66.[1][5]

The 2025 Dáil speaking rights dispute culminated in calls from opposition leaders for Murphy to step down as Ceann Comhairle. On 26 March 2025, the leaders of Sinn Féin and the Labour Party expressed no confidence in Murphy's position, offering her "time to reflect" before considering a formal motion.[6] On 1 April 2025, the government proposed a motion of confidence in Murphy, which was carried by a vote of 96 to 71, with 2 abstentions.[7][8] It was the first time a vote of confidence had been held on the office of Ceann Comhairle.[9][10]

Political leadership

Government

Opposition

List of TDs

Of the 174 TDs, over sixty were elected for the first time;[11] 44 are women (25%) and 130 are men.[12]

^ +: Elected for the first time at the 2024 general election.
^ ‡: Previously served as member of the Dáil non-consecutively to the current consecutive terms of office.
^ #: Member of the 26th Seanad at time of election.
^ §: Returned automatically without standing for election as outgoing Ceann Comhairle, in accordance with Article 16.6 of the Constitution of Ireland.[13]

Members of the 34th Dáil[14]
Constituency Name Portrait Party affiliation
(Technical group)
Assumed office
Carlow–Kilkenny Catherine Callaghan[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Peter "Chap" Cleere[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
John McGuinness
Fianna Fáil 26 June 1997
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Fianna Fáil 20 February 2020
Natasha Newsome Drennan[+]
Sinn Féin 18 December 2024
Cavan–Monaghan Cathy Bennett[+]
Sinn Féin 18 December 2024
Matt Carthy
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
David Maxwell[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Brendan Smith
Fianna Fáil 14 December 1992
Niamh Smyth
Fianna Fáil 10 March 2016
Clare Joe Cooney[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Cathal Crowe
Fianna Fáil 20 February 2020
Timmy Dooley[#]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024[‡]
Donna McGettigan[+]
Sinn Féin 18 December 2024
Cork East Pat Buckley
Sinn Féin 10 March 2016
Noel McCarthy[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
James O'Connor
Fianna Fáil 20 February 2020
Liam Quaide[+]
Social Democrats 18 December 2024
Cork North-Central Colm Burke
Fine Gael 20 February 2020
Thomas Gould
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Eoghan Kenny[+]
Labour 18 December 2024
Ken O'Flynn[+]
Independent Ireland
(Independent Group)
18 December 2024
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Fianna Fáil 3 December 2019
Cork North-West Aindrias Moynihan
Fianna Fáil 10 March 2016
Michael Moynihan
Fianna Fáil 26 June 1997
John Paul O'Shea[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Cork South-Central Jerry Buttimer[#]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024[‡]
Micheál Martin
Fianna Fáil 29 June 1989
Séamus McGrath[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Sinn Féin 10 March 2016
Pádraig Rice[+]
Social Democrats 18 December 2024
Cork South-West Holly Cairns
Social Democrats 20 February 2020
Michael Collins
Independent Ireland
(Independent Group)
10 March 2016
Christopher O'Sullivan
Fianna Fáil 20 February 2020
Donegal Pearse Doherty
Sinn Féin 30 November 2010
Pat "the Cope" Gallagher
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024[‡]
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020[‡]
Charlie McConalogue
Fianna Fáil 9 March 2011
Charles Ward[+]
100% Redress
(Independents & Smaller Parties Group)
18 December 2024
Dublin Bay North Tom Brabazon[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Barry Heneghan[+]
Independent
(Regional Independent Group)
18 December 2024
Denise Mitchell
Sinn Féin 10 March 2016
Cian O'Callaghan
Social Democrats 20 February 2020
Naoise Ó Muirí[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Dublin Bay South Ivana Bacik
Labour 13 July 2021
James Geoghegan[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Eoin Hayes[+]
Social Democrats (2024 election) 18 December 2024
Independent (10 Dec. 2024–)
Jim O'Callaghan
Fianna Fáil 10 March 2016
Dublin Central Paschal Donohoe
Fine Gael 9 March 2011
Gary Gannon
Social Democrats 20 February 2020
Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin 9 March 2011
Marie Sherlock[+][#]
Labour 18 December 2024
Dublin Fingal East Ann Graves[+]
Sinn Féin 18 December 2024
Darragh O'Brien
Fianna Fáil 10 March 2016[‡]
Duncan Smith
Labour 20 February 2020
Dublin Fingal West Grace Boland[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Robert O'Donoghue[+]
Labour 18 December 2024
Louise O'Reilly
Sinn Féin 10 March 2016
Dublin Mid-West Paul Gogarty
Independent
(Independent Group)
18 December 2024[‡]
Emer Higgins
Fine Gael 20 February 2020
Shane Moynihan[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Eoin Ó Broin
Sinn Féin 10 March 2016
Mark Ward
Sinn Féin 3 December 2019
Dublin North-West Dessie Ellis
Sinn Féin 9 March 2011
Rory Hearne[+]
Social Democrats 18 December 2024
Paul McAuliffe
Fianna Fáil 20 February 2020
Dublin Rathdown Shay Brennan[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Sinéad Gibney[+]
Social Democrats 18 December 2024
Maeve O'Connell[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Neale Richmond
Fine Gael 20 February 2020
Dublin South-Central Catherine Ardagh[+][#]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Jen Cummins[+]
Social Democrats 18 December 2024
Máire Devine[+]
Sinn Féin 18 December 2024
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin 6 June 2002
Dublin South-West Ciarán Ahern[+]
Labour 18 December 2024
Colm Brophy
Fine Gael 10 March 2016
Seán Crowe
Sinn Féin 9 March 2011[‡]
John Lahart
Fianna Fáil 10 March 2016
Paul Murphy
People Before Profit–Solidarity
(Independents & Smaller Parties Group)
14 October 2014
Dublin West Jack Chambers
Fianna Fáil 10 March 2016
Ruth Coppinger
People Before Profit–Solidarity
(Independents & Smaller Parties Group)
18 December 2024[‡]
Emer Currie[+][#]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Paul Donnelly
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Roderic O'Gorman
Green Party
(Independents & Smaller Parties Group)
20 February 2020
Dún Laoghaire Richard Boyd Barrett
People Before Profit–Solidarity
(Independents & Smaller Parties Group)
9 March 2011
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Fine Gael 20 February 2020
Cormac Devlin
Fianna Fáil 20 February 2020
Barry Ward[+][#]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Galway East Seán Canney
Independent
(Regional Independent Group)
10 March 2016
Albert Dolan[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Louis O'Hara[+]
Sinn Féin 18 December 2024
Peter Roche[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Galway West Catherine Connolly
Independent
(Independents & Smaller Parties Group)
10 March 2016
John Connolly[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Mairéad Farrell
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Noel Grealish
Independent
(Regional Independent Group)
6 June 2002
Hildegarde Naughton
Fine Gael 10 March 2016
Kerry Michael Cahill[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Pa Daly
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Norma Foley
Fianna Fáil 20 February 2020
Danny Healy-Rae
Independent
(Regional Independent Group)
10 March 2016
Michael Healy-Rae
Independent
(Regional Independent Group)
9 March 2011
Kildare North Réada Cronin
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Aidan Farrelly[+]
Social Democrats 18 December 2024
James Lawless
Fianna Fáil 10 March 2016
Joe Neville[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Naoise Ó Cearúil[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Kildare South Martin Heydon
Fine Gael 9 March 2011
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh[+]
Sinn Féin 18 December 2024
Seán Ó Fearghaíl[§]
Fianna Fáil 6 June 2002
Mark Wall[+][#]
Labour 18 December 2024
Laois William Aird[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Seán Fleming
Fianna Fáil 26 June 1997
Brian Stanley
Independent
(Independents & Smaller Parties Group)
9 March 2011
Limerick City Willie O'Dea
Fianna Fáil 9 March 1982
Kieran O'Donnell
Fine Gael 20 February 2020[‡]
Maurice Quinlivan
Sinn Féin 10 March 2016
Conor Sheehan[+]
Labour 18 December 2024
Limerick County Niall Collins
Fianna Fáil 14 June 2007
Richard O'Donoghue
Independent Ireland
(Independent Group)
20 February 2020
Patrick O'Donovan
Fine Gael 9 March 2011
Longford–Westmeath Peter Burke
Fine Gael 10 March 2016
Micheál Carrigy[+][#]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Sorca Clarke
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Kevin "Boxer" Moran
Independent
(Regional Independent Group)
18 December 2024[‡]
Robert Troy
Fianna Fáil 9 March 2011
Louth Paula Butterly[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Joanna Byrne[+]
Sinn Féin 18 December 2024
Erin McGreehan[+][#]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Ged Nash
Labour 20 February 2020[‡]
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Mayo Dara Calleary
Fianna Fáil 14 June 2007
Rose Conway-Walsh
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Alan Dillon
Fine Gael 20 February 2020
Keira Keogh[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Paul Lawless[+]
Aontú

(Independent Group)

18 December 2024
Meath East Thomas Byrne
Fianna Fáil 10 March 2016[‡]
Helen McEntee
Fine Gael 16 April 2013
Darren O'Rourke
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Gillian Toole[+]
Independent
(Regional Independent Group)
18 December 2024
Meath West Aisling Dempsey[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Johnny Guirke
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Peadar Tóibín
Aontú

(Independent Group)

9 March 2011
Offaly John Clendennen[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Tony McCormack[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Carol Nolan
Independent
(Regional Independent Group)
10 March 2016
Roscommon–Galway Martin Daly[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Michael Fitzmaurice
Independent Ireland
(Independent Group)
14 October 2014
Claire Kerrane
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Sligo–Leitrim Frank Feighan
Fine Gael 20 February 2020[‡]
Marian Harkin
Independent
(Regional Independent Group)
20 February 2020[‡]
Martin Kenny
Sinn Féin 10 March 2016
Eamon Scanlon
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024[‡]
Tipperary North Alan Kelly
Labour 9 March 2011
Michael Lowry
Independent
(Regional Independent Group)
10 March 1987
Ryan O'Meara[+]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024
Tipperary South Séamus Healy
Independent
(Independents & Smaller Parties Group)
18 December 2024[‡]
Mattie McGrath
Independent 14 June 2007
Michael Murphy[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Waterford Mary Butler
Fianna Fáil 10 March 2016
David Cullinane
Sinn Féin 10 March 2016
John Cummins[+][#]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Conor D. McGuinness[+]
Sinn Féin 18 December 2024
Wexford James Browne
Fianna Fáil 10 March 2016
George Lawlor[+]
Labour 18 December 2024
Verona Murphy
Independent (2024 election) 20 February 2020
Ceann Comhairle (18 Dec. 2024–)
Johnny Mythen
Sinn Féin 20 February 2020
Wicklow–Wexford Brian Brennan[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Malcolm Byrne[#]
Fianna Fáil 18 December 2024[‡]
Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin[+]
Sinn Féin 18 December 2024
Wicklow John Brady
Sinn Féin 10 March 2016
Simon Harris
Fine Gael 9 March 2011
Edward Timmins[+]
Fine Gael 18 December 2024
Jennifer Whitmore
Social Democrats 20 February 2020

Technical groups

Independent Group

On 7 December, three independent TDs formed a technical group with Independent Ireland TDs called the Independent Group.[15] On 22 January 2025, after leaving the Regional Independent Group due to a disagreement over speaking rights, Aontú stated that they had joined the Independent group.[16]

Affiliation Name Constituency
Independent (1) Paul Gogarty Dublin Mid-West
Independent Ireland (4) Michael Collins Cork South-West
Michael Fitzmaurice Roscommon–Galway
Richard O'Donoghue Limerick County
Ken O'Flynn Cork North-Central
Aontú (2) Peadar Tóibín Meath West
Paul Lawless Mayo

Independents and Smaller Parties Group

On 11 December, a technical group was created between three independent TDs, People Before Profit–Solidarity, and 100% Redress.[17][18] Green Party leader and sole TD Roderic O'Gorman joined the group on 23 January 2025 on the appointment of the new government, whereon he vacated his ministerial post.[19]

Affiliation Name Constituency
Independent (3) Catherine Connolly Galway West
Séamus Healy Tipperary South
Brian Stanley Laois
People Before Profit–Solidarity (3) Ruth Coppinger Dublin West
Richard Boyd Barrett Dún Laoghaire
Paul Murphy Dublin South-West
100% Redress (1) Charles Ward Donegal
Green Party (1) Roderic O'Gorman Dublin West

Former group

Regional Independent Group

On 4 December, Independent TDs Seán Canney, Noel Grealish, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, Michael Lowry, Kevin "Boxer" Moran, Verona Murphy and Gillian Toole formed a technical group called the Regional Independent Group to negotiate the formation of a government, and appointed Michael Lowry to lead the negotiations.[20][21] Both Aontú TDs and Carol Nolan later joined the group but were not part of the negotiations.[22][23] Murphy was required to leave on her election as Ceann Comhairle. Mattie McGrath joined the group later in January 2025. On 22 January 2025, Aontú left the group amid a disagreement over speaking rights.[16] As the group had negotiated five government posts, only six TDs would remain. On 23 January 2025, Ceann Comhairle Murphy confirmed that she would not recognise the group in the Dáil at a sitting to elect a new Taoiseach.[24]

Affiliation Name Constituency
Independent (6)[25] Danny Healy-Rae Kerry
Barry Heneghan Dublin Bay North
Michael Lowry Tipperary North
Carol Nolan Offaly
Gillian Toole Meath East
Mattie McGrath Tipperary South[26]

Changes

Date Constituency Loss Gain Note
10 December 2024 Dublin Bay South Social Democrats Independent Eoin Hayes suspended from the party[27]
18 December 2024 Wexford Independent Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy elected Ceann Comhairle[28]

References

  1. ^ a b "Selection of the Ceann Comhairle". Houses of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  2. ^ Lehane, Mícheál (18 December 2024). "Verona Murphy pledges to be 'reforming Ceann Comhairle'". RTÉ News. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Selection of Candidate and Election of Ceann Comhairle". Dáil Debates. 1062 (1). 18 December 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Selection of Candidate and Election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle". Dáil Debates. 1063 (2). 19 February 2025. Archived from the original on 19 February 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
  5. ^ "Selection of Candidate and Election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Resumed)". Dáil Debates. 1063 (2). 19 February 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
  6. ^ Lehane, Mícheál (26 March 2025). "Government to vote confidence in Ceann Comhairle". RTÉ News. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  7. ^ "Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion". Dáil Debates. 1065 (2). 1 April 2025.
  8. ^ O'Halloran, Marie (1 April 2025). "Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy bears 'no ill will' after winning confidence motion". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  9. ^ Lehane, Mícheál (26 March 2025). "Government to vote confidence in Ceann Comhairle". RTÉ News. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  10. ^ "Who was John O'Donoghue and why did he resign as Ceann Comhairle?". RTÉ News. 26 March 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  11. ^ "More than 60 first-time TDs elected to the Dáil". RTÉ News. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  12. ^ Loughlin, Elaine (2 December 2024). "With just one female TD, why are women not getting elected in Cork?". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  13. ^ Electoral Act 1992, s. 36: Re-election of outgoing Chairman of Dáil (No. 23 of 1992, s. 36). Enacted on 5 November 1992. Act of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 16 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Report as to issue of Writs and Announcement as to Returns". Dáil Debates. 18 December 2024. Archived from the original on 23 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  15. ^ Hickey, Emma (7 December 2024). "Healy-Raes and Paul Gogarty join forces with Independent Ireland in Dáil technical grouping". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  16. ^ a b Manning, Harry (22 January 2025). "Aontú TDs leave Regional Independent Dáil grouping". RTÉ News. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  17. ^ Ganly, Conor (13 December 2024). "Laois TD Brian Stanley aligns with high profile outspoken left-wing TDs in new Dáil". Laois Live. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  18. ^ Gavan Reilly [@gavreilly] (11 December 2024). "PBP, Catherine Connolly, Seamus Healy, Charles Ward and Brian Stanley have formed an 'Independents & Parties Group'" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Regan, Mary (21 January 2025). "Explained: Technical groups and the Dáil speaking rights row". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 22 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  20. ^ Boland, Lauren (4 December 2024). "Eight independent TDs form 'Regional Group' amid government formation talks". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 5 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  21. ^ McAleer, Michael (14 January 2025). "Michael Lowry: The controversy over Moriarty Tribunal and his role in government talks". The Irish Times#Digital_3. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  22. ^ Hickey, Emma (8 December 2024). "Aontú joins Dáil technical grouping 'Regional Group' as formation talks ramp up". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  23. ^ Ganly, Conor (11 December 2024). "Recent Laois Offaly TD looks set to be in Government". Laois Live. Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  24. ^ "Lowry's independents will not be recognised as opposition group when the Dáil resumes today". 23 January 2025.
  25. ^ Manning, Harry (22 January 2025). "leaves four Regional Independents, Michael Lowry, Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole and Danny Healy-Rae, as well as independents Carol Nolan and Mattie McGrath remaining in the Regional Technical Group". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 22 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  26. ^ "Opposition TDs criticise 'farcical' Dáil speaking rights ahead of taoiseach nomination". BreakingNews.ie. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  27. ^ Hurley, Sandra (10 December 2024). "TD Eoin Hayes suspended by Soc Dems with immediate effect". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 16 January 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  28. ^ Lehane, Mícheál (18 December 2024). "Verona Murphy elected new Ceann Comhairle on third count". RTÉ News. Retrieved 18 December 2024.