9 Dáil Parties + Independents · Verified First-Person Leader Statements
Micheál Martin (Taoiseach / Tánaiste; TD for Cork South-Central)
Largest party in the 34th Dáil (48 TDs; 21.9% first-preference vote); governing coalition partner
Coalition government & urgent national issues
We are three separate parties that seek to work together, respecting both our differences and an agreed approach to the most urgent issues facing our country.
Foreign policy & international law
We've discussed this between the Government parties and it is my intention to bring to Government a formal proposal on recognition when these wider international discussions are complete.
Mary Lou McDonald (President; TD for Dublin Central); Pearse Doherty (Finance Spokesperson)
Second-largest party in the 34th Dáil and leading Opposition party (39 TDs; 19.0% first-preference vote)
Housing, public services & policy change
We want, not just new faces around the Cabinet table, we want a change of direction in fundamental policies that are currently damaging people's lived experience.
Ambition & public investment for Ireland
I believe the people of Ireland deserve so much better because this is a country full of talent, ideas and yes, optimism.
Simon Harris (Leader; TD for Wicklow)
Third-largest party in the 34th Dáil (38 TDs; 20.8% first-preference vote); governing coalition partner
Housing & home ownership
We are going to build more homes and drive home ownership.
Public service & delivery
I accept this new role in a spirit of humility, ready for the challenge and full of energy and determination about what can be achieved.
Holly Cairns (Leader; TD for Cork South-West); Cian O'Callaghan (Deputy Leader)
Joint fourth-largest party in the 34th Dáil (11 TDs; 4.8% first-preference vote)
Housing, rent freeze & eviction ban
We could introduce a no-fault eviction ban. We could introduce a three-year rent freeze. We could stop the bulk buying of homes by investment funds. And crucially, we need to acknowledge the developer-led model of housing dependent on private sector has failed.
Case for a new Government
However, we are facing serious challenges as a country. And in order to address them, we need new ideas. For that, we need a new Government.
Ivana Bacik (Leader; TD for Dublin Bay South)
Joint fourth-largest party in the 34th Dáil (11 TDs; 4.7% first-preference vote)
Public services & political change
From what we have heard, Mr Harris' elevation will not deliver the change we need. That's why we in the Labour Party cannot support the Fine Gael nomination of Taoiseach.
General election & housing reform
The appointment of another temporary Taoiseach by this coalition is just superficial change, not the radical change the people so badly need. That's why we have called for a general election now.
Michael Collins (Leader; TD for Cork South-West); Richard O'Donoghue (General Secretary)
Dáil political party established in 2023 (4 TDs; 3.6% first-preference vote)
Healthcare, housing & rural communities
We are committed to delivering policies that make a difference, from healthcare and housing to cost of living, immigration, law and order, and supporting our rural communities. The people deserve better, and Independent Ireland is here to deliver.
Common-sense policies & representation
Common sense is gone out of politics in Ireland today. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens have more or less abandoned the people and people are angered by that. We're going to offer common sense policies so people can recognise there is a party out there that speaks on behalf of the people.
Richard Boyd Barrett (TD for Dún Laoghaire), Paul Murphy (TD for Dublin South-West) & Ruth Coppinger (TD for Dublin West)
Left-wing/eco-socialist parliamentary alliance in the 34th Dáil (3 TDs; 2.8% first-preference vote)
Housing & affordability for young people
It is absolutely shameful that in a country as wealthy as ours, a generation of young and working people are priced out of the possibility of ever owning their own home.
Left cooperation & constitutional questions
I think there's a lot of common ground, but they do differ with us on the question of a border poll.
Peadar Tóibín (Leader; TD for Meath West)
All-Ireland political party in the 34th Dáil (2 TDs; 3.9% first-preference vote)
Political conviction & leadership
I don't believe he is a man of conviction.
Roderic O'Gorman (Leader; TD for Dublin West)
Environmentalist party in the 34th Dáil (1 TD; 3.0% first-preference vote)
Climate action & coalition policy
Fundamentally Katie, it will be on policy that we'll seek an agreement.
2024 general election reflections
I don't think they did us any favours, but I wasn't expecting them to do us favours.
I don't think they did us any favours, but I wasn't expecting them to do us favours.
I believe the people of Ireland deserve so much better because this is a country full of talent, ideas and yes, optimism.
However, we are facing serious challenges as a country. And in order to address them, we need new ideas. For that, we need a new Government.
Fundamentally Katie, it will be on policy that we'll seek an agreement.
We are three separate parties that seek to work together, respecting both our differences and an agreed approach to the most urgent issues facing our country.
Common sense is gone out of politics in Ireland today. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens have more or less abandoned the people and people are angered by that. We're going to offer common sense policies so people can recognise there is a party out there that speaks on behalf of the people.
We can and must rise above partisan politics by working together to solve the greatest challenges of our time. The people expect us to do more. We should demand of ourselves no less.
We've discussed this between the Government parties and it is my intention to bring to Government a formal proposal on recognition when these wider international discussions are complete.
The appointment of another temporary Taoiseach by this coalition is just superficial change, not the radical change the people so badly need. That's why we have called for a general election now.
We are committed to delivering policies that make a difference, from healthcare and housing to cost of living, immigration, law and order, and supporting our rural communities. The people deserve better, and Independent Ireland is here to deliver.
It is absolutely shameful that in a country as wealthy as ours, a generation of young and working people are priced out of the possibility of ever owning their own home.
We are going to build more homes and drive home ownership.
We want, not just new faces around the Cabinet table, we want a change of direction in fundamental policies that are currently damaging people's lived experience.
We could introduce a no-fault eviction ban. We could introduce a three-year rent freeze. We could stop the bulk buying of homes by investment funds. And crucially, we need to acknowledge the developer-led model of housing dependent on private sector has failed.
I think there's a lot of common ground, but they do differ with us on the question of a border poll.
We have stood up strongly and robustly against Israel's actions in Gaza.
I lead a party with immense talent and immense potential, we don't always get it right. We do, like any human institution, make errors.
I don't believe he is a man of conviction.
I accept this new role in a spirit of humility, ready for the challenge and full of energy and determination about what can be achieved.
From what we have heard, Mr Harris' elevation will not deliver the change we need. That's why we in the Labour Party cannot support the Fine Gael nomination of Taoiseach.
View all 17 Independent and smaller-group TDs across the 43 Dáil constituencies →