Politics

Gender split in new Cabinet draws criticism as Micheál Martin starts second term as Taoiseach

Just one Minister retains same portfolio while only three women were appointed as senior Ministers

Micheál Martin has said that Ireland is facing a "challenging moment in world history" as he prepares to lead the Government as Taoiseach for the second time.
Marie O'Halloran
Harry McGee
Thu Jan 23 2025 - 20:17

Micheál Martin is Taoiseach again, a day later than planned, with a Cabinet of 19 including four “super junior” Ministers.

Just three of the 15 senior Ministers are women, one less than in the previous administration, although two more are super junior Ministers – Ministers of State who have a seat at Cabinet.

Just one Minister, Peter Burke, retains the same portfolio, while former minister for agriculture Charlie McConalogue has been dropped from Cabinet.

Among those to criticise the gender division was Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who told the Dáil the Cabinet looked very male and pale.

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The geographical spread of Ministers was also criticised by the Opposition, with no Minister from the Border region and only one Minister from the Connacht-Ulster region.

A majority of Ministers come from the eastern counties of the State, especially Dublin.

Announcing his Cabinet, the Taoiseach said they would work every day to protect Ireland, using a “whole-of-government approach, taking key issues out of departmental silos and delivering action on multiple fronts at once”.

He added that a “core priority” would be to protect “Ireland’s position within the European Union, and in the wider international forum”.

Cabinet appointments:

Renewing her criticism of the deal with Independents behind the formation of the new Government, Ms McDonald said Mr Martin had changed from once describing Michael Lowry TD, key negotiator for the Independents, as a “rogue politician” to now making him a “kingmaker”.

But after turmoil and chaos on Wednesday, Thursday was a day of pomp, protocol and ceremony as the schedule was followed. There was just over an hour’s delay while a compromise was hammered out whereby the Regional Independents’ group would not have speaking rights on the day and the issue was referred to the Dáil Reform Committee.

Mr Martin was nominated as Taoiseach with his wife Mary and extended family in the distinguished visitors’ gallery. Broadly smiling throughout, he became emotional just once, when his voice cracked as he paid tribute to his late parents and said it was his father’s anniversary on Wednesday – the day he had expected to be elected as Taoiseach.

President Michael D Higgins with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and other new Cabinet members as they receive their seals of office. Photograph: Maxwell's/PA Wire
President Michael D Higgins with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and other new Cabinet members as they receive their seals of office. Photograph: Maxwell's/PA Wire

New TDs Albert Dolan (Galway East) and Catherine Ardagh (Dublin South-Central) nominated Mr Martin. Mr Dolan said “I am excited and optimistic for the future under his leadership, and I believe we will continue to work tirelessly to create a better Ireland”.

Ms Ardagh said he had “demonstrated that he will lead the new Government with determination and will strengthen our country’s position in Europe and the world”.

Sinn Féin Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell, nominating party leader Mary Lou McDonald, said “we’re not here just for Mercs and perks”.

Hitting out at the Government she said: “We’re only back from the holidays, and we have decided that we should go back on midterm break”, in reference to the plan to adjourn until February 5th.

Tánaiste Simon Harris paid tribute to Mr Martin and his “trademark way” of doing business.

To some laughter, he said he noticed that Mr Martin had been “somewhat nurturing a mild desire to be Taoiseach again”.

He said his party was looking forward to playing “our part in the new Government in a spirt of partnership, mutual respect and shared objectives”.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik who called for the Dáil to return next week, claimed Ireland is returning to the “bad old days of stroke politics” with Fianna Fáil in charge.

Ms Bacik added there is “no sense of a radical reset on housing policy” and described the programme for government as regressive.

Highlighting the Government’s plans for road building, she paraphrased US president Donald Trump’s catchphrase “roads, baby, roads”.

“What’s wrong with a few roads?” interjected Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae.

Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan said Mr Lowry’s involvement in the Government’s formation “makes a complete mockery of any claims this new Government champions ethical standards in public life”.

People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett said it was “utterly outrageous” that the country was “facing three months without a functioning Dáil” while there were urgent issues to be addressed.

Mr Martin was confirmed as Taoiseach by 95 votes to 76. After a sustained standing ovation from the Government benches he left Leinster House to be congratulated by party colleagues, supporters and friends on the plinth before travelling to Áras an Uachtaráin to receive his seal of office.

On his return, he made final appointments and his new Cabinet followed him into the chamber where he announced their new portfolios and the retention of Rossa Fanning as Attorney General.

After a debate and vote, the Government was formally accepted by 97 to 72.

The House then agreed without a vote to establish a committee on Dáil reform, before adjourning until Wednesday February 5th.

Marie O'Halloran

Marie O'Halloran

Marie O'Halloran is Parliamentary Correspondent of The Irish Times

Harry McGee

Harry McGee

Harry McGee is a Political Correspondent with The Irish Times