Ireland’s Government Formation for 2025: With Another Coalition, What Do the Parties Offer?

By Jess Donohue

Following the Irish general election on November 29, 2024, Fianna Fáil emerged as the largest party in the Dáil, securing 48 seats, which resulted in Micheál Martin being re-elected as Taoiseach. [1] Yet another coalition between FF and Fine Gael is formed, alongside various independent TDs.

The Programme for Government, and party differences

The Programme for Government highlights the strategies and policy directions for the current coalition. There is a clear focus on addressing many national concerns, including the economy, climate action, healthcare, education, and the enrichment of Irish society and culture. Among the most important issues tackled are childcare and housing.

Childcare has been a significant concern in recent years, and the coalition is committed to reducing childcare costs through the National Childcare Scheme. It also aims to expand the Equal Start programme, which ensures that children from disadvantaged backgrounds can access early learning and childcare. Additionally, the government plans to invest in the creation of more state-owned childcare facilities, particularly in areas with high unmet demand, which will increase the capacity for families in need. [3]

Housing, long a well-known critical issue in Ireland, is another key area for improvement. The government aims to build over 300,000 new homes by 2030, in line with updated housing targets. A new Starter Home Programme will be launched to promote home ownership and secure long-term rental options for young people and ‘fresh start applicants’. The coalition also aims to prioritize social housing allocations to reduce long-term homelessness, with a specific focus on providing emergency accommodation for vulnerable groups, especially children affected by homelessness.[3]

The PfG addresses many of the key issues faced by the coalition parties. However, it has also faced criticism and raised concerns from other parties in the Dáil. Sinn Féin, often seen as the alternative to traditional establishment parties, argues that these parties have failed to effectively address critical issues like housing, healthcare, economic inequality, and disability care. This was highlighted during the leaders’ debate when Mary Lou McDonald stated, “I think people with disabilities, carers have been failed so badly by this government and previous ones, it’s one of the most dramatic examples of a complete failure of leadership.” Additionally, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has expressed concerns about the integration of Green policies into the new government, particularly regarding the commitment to investment in transport [4]. The Green Party had itself drastically declined in support, from 12 seats to 1, effectively ruling out any chance of staying in the three-party coalition.

It is also important to note that although the two large parties in this coalition (Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael) have many similarities, they also have distinct differences from historical roots to policy approaches. Going way back to the days of the Irish Civil war, Fianna Fáil was founded in 1926 by Éamon de Valera after a split from Sinn Féin. Following the Anglo-Irish Treaty, a significant divide emerged within Irish politics. Fianna Fáil aligned with the anti-Treaty side, opposing the terms of the Treaty and the establishment of the Irish Free State. In contrast, Fine Gael emerged from the pro-Treaty side, supporting the Treaty and the creation of the Free State under its provisions. Since then Fianna Fáil has been considered a more centrist party with a greater focus on achieving sovereignty for Ireland, while Fine Gael is a centre right party with pro-European beliefs advocating for stability in the Irish Free State.

The Regional Independent Group are led by the controversial figure Michael Lowry. In 1997, the Moriarty Tribunal found that Lowry had an “insidious and pervasive influence” over the awarding of a mobile phone license to Denis O’Brien’s Esat Digifone, a telecommunications company that played a significant role in Ireland’s mobile phone market. The tribunal later revealed that O’Brien had provided Lowry with financial benefits, including a payment of €187,000 while Lowry was still serving as a minister.

Additionally, the tribunal uncovered efforts by Lowry to intervene in a rent review for property owned by Ben Dunne, which could have financially benefited the state-owned Telecom-Éireann. Lowry and O’Brien both rejected the tribunal’s findings, which described their actions as “profoundly corrupt,” noting that Telecom-Éireann was directly under Lowry’s ministerial oversight [5].

The North and the election

With Sinn Féin performing strongly in this election, there could be a more pronounced push for Irish unity. Given that Sinn Féin holds significant political positions in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, a call for a border poll and increased cross-border cooperation could gain momentum. Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, traditionally strong advocates of North-South ties, would likely continue to support cross-border initiatives. Economic cooperation could deepen under such a coalition, focusing on shared infrastructure, development, and regional benefits.

Both parties also express strong commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and Northern Ireland’s power-sharing framework, and they would likely prioritize ensuring its continued success. This would include promoting communication between Northern Ireland’s political parties and fostering peaceful relations across the island.

Regarding post-Brexit relations, both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are firm supporters of the Northern Ireland Protocol, viewing it as crucial for maintaining peace and preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland [6]. However, Unionist parties in Northern Ireland, particularly those who believe the Protocol undermines Northern Ireland’s position within the UK, would likely continue to be frustrated by this stance.

A Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael coalition, backed by independents, was formed following the 2024 Irish General Election with the goal of addressing important national issues like healthcare, childcare, and housing. A possible border poll and growing momentum for Irish unity are indicated by Sinn Féin’s impressive performance, while the coalition may aim to support the Good Friday Agreement and improve North-South relations. Unionists may still be irritated by the coalition’s position on the Northern Ireland Protocol, but its emphasis on peacebuilding and economic cooperation is still vital for both sides of the border. The coalition will have to strike a balance between the delicate dynamics of Northern Ireland’s future and domestic priorities as the political landscape changes.

References

[1] McClafferty, E. 2024. “Irish General Election: Fianna Fáil Emerges as Largest Party.” BBC News, December 2, 2024. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpdnlv8n758o

[2] Pogatchnik, S. 2025. “Ireland’s Centrist Parties Reach Coalition Deal to Retain Power.” POLITICO. January 14, 2025. https://www.politico.eu/article/ireland-centrist-party-coalition-deal-governme nt-micheal-martin-dianna-fail-simon-harris-fine-gael/

[3] “Draft Programme for Government 2025 Securing Ireland’s Future.” n.d. https://7358484.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7358484/Programm e%20for%20Government.pdf.

[4] News, RTÉ. 2024. “‘No Regrets’ for Green Leader over Coalition Decision.” RTE.ie, December 2, 2024. https://www.rte.ie/news/election-24/2024/1202/1484138-greens-day-three/

[5] McAleer, M. 2025. “Michael Lowry: The Controversy over Moriarty Tribunal and His Role in Government Talks.” BreakingNews.ie. January 14, 2025. https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/michael-lowry-the-controversy-over-m oriarty-tribunal-and-his-role-in-government-talks-1717339.html.

[6] O’Carroll, L. 2020. “What Does the Irish Election Result Mean for Brexit?” The Guardian. The Guardian. February 10, 2020. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/10/irish-election-result-brexit-sinn-fein-coalition-boris-johnson-eu