The first performance from the newly appointed Taoiseach was disappointingly tame, a sentiment that can also be applied to Mary Lou McDonald. However, it must be acknowledged that the Sinn Féin leader has had to grapple with her third Taoiseach in a short span of six years, which would exhaust anyone.
Simon Harris’s initial foray into the Leaders’ Questions was eagerly awaited, especially after the abundant ire expressed by the Opposition when he didn’t make an appearance in the parliament on his very first day as Taoiseach. This act of absence was promptly seized upon by understandably annoyed TDs, even though they had been informed a week earlier that he would not be in attendance. Following tradition, many Taoisigh tend to abstain from engaging in heated parliamentary debates right after their elevation. As history demonstrates, almost all of Harris’s predecessors took at least a week to acclimate to their new roles before tackling the challenges of the Dáil.
Yet this mild start doesn’t mean the vitriol won’t soon emerge. Simon Harris brought what can be described as a “new energy” from Fine Gael for the TDs to experience. On the other hand, Mary Lou McDonald seems to have taken upon herself a mission to make him respect her authority.
Journalists flocked to be a part of their first confrontation, filling the press gallery. The attendance in the chamber, however, was relatively sparse. The Taoiseach, displaying eager anticipation, entered the chamber ahead of everyone else to begin the formal announcement of his senior and junior Ministers. He rapidly went through the names, possibly wary of the loitering veteran backbencher Alan Farrell, in the last seat.
Alan possesses the unenviable distinction of being the only member from the 2011 intake of new FG TDs who wasn’t granted any kind of ministerial preference over the previous three terms. However, fortune would soon smile upon the overlooked deputy for Dublin Fingal. By the day’s close, he had ascended to the position of the new chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party.
As these events unfolded, one could almost picture the chimineas burning brightly in Malahide on Tuesday night. Simultaneously, foreseeing the possibility of being sidelined in the impending scuffle, Mattie McGrath took the initiative and began to make his mark early.
After the roll-call of ministers, Mattie stood up abruptly. He yelled towards the Ceann Comhairle, a question directed at the Taoiseach, querying why Minister Ryan was being reappointed as Minister for the Environment. Mattie argued that Ryan had damaged rural Ireland and its farming. He stated that it was time for a change and expressed his disappointment at the missed opportunity. However, Seán Ó Fearghaíl demanded that he sit down.
Mary Lou then prepared herself to begin her first grilling, choosing to focus on the waiting lists for young people needing corrective spinal surgery. Although this was a significant issue, it deviated from her usual topics of housing and the cost of living. Similarly, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and Bríd Smith of People Before Profit, focused on the government’s lack of actions following the release of an expert report on abortion services a year prior.
These questions predominantly related to Simon Harris and the specific commitments he made around seven years earlier, during his tenure as Minister for Health. Though the Taoiseach’s fellow MP’s could have made a better impression at their first Leaders’ Questions (only a handful showed up), his cabinet colleague’s attendance was in full force, only from those belonging to Fine Gael, however. One notable exception was Stephen Donnelly, the Health Minister. Considering the points being discussed, his presence was important. He sat downcast, next to the Taoiseach.
This provided Simon with the opportunity to justify why his previous promises were correct at that time, and how Stephen was now addressing those issues in this new context. He was essentially continuing Simon’s groundwork, trying to re-invigorate and restore focus on the situation.
It appeared that the successor to previous Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was also attempting to rejuvenate the Dáil’s daily charade with a new, more sedate approach. Interestingly, Varadkar wasn’t present on Tuesday.
Conversations with the Opposition invoked “good faith” engagement, marking an evident change in the way discourse happened, according to him. He emphasised on the fact that he responded to every query raised by his opponents.
The entire ordeal had a surprising vibe of tranquility, compassion and understanding.
This, however, is not bound to continue or endure in the long run.
Simon Harris was observed to be a fast yet incredibly soft-spoken conversationalist, making it extremely challenging to catch his words at times. Interestingly, he proved to be a left-hander, who was seen vigorously jotting down notes while acknowledging others on the floor with a nod.
Some critics suggested that the newly elected Taoiseach maintained a low tone intentionally, employing it as a strategy to minimize controversy during Leader’s Questions. On the contrary, it’s more plausible to assume that he simply refrained from increasing his volume.
Towards the end of their conversation, insignificant disagreements with Mary Lou didn’t particularly entertain the audience, who was anticipating some inaugural drama.
The leader of Sinn Féin painted a distressing image of children and young adults in urgent need of surgeries for spina bifida and scoliosis. She referred to families and parents pleading for quick action.
In response to her grim statistics, the Taoiseach countered with the Government’s progress in decreasing the number of patients waiting for more than four months for their procedures.
He expected that Sinn Féin, while proposing solutions to all the problems, would fairly acknowledge that their alternative budget allocated €500 million less than the Government’s provision for the health service.
Mild arguments ensued.
“It’s false,” David Cullinane denied vehemently.
The Taoiseach defended his statement.
“Nonsense,” Louise O’Reilly chimed in.
“Disinformation,” Cullinane retorted.
Simon suggested that if people don’t trust his word, they could look up the SF alternative budget on the party’s official website.
The deputies from Sinn Féin demanded a fact check.
Hoping to prove his point, the Taoiseach summoned the media’s attention.
He quietly urged them to authenticate the facts on sinnfein.ie.
The unexciting Leaders’ Questions effortlessly transitioned into an even duller Questions to An Taoiseach.
Mary Lou McDonald was absent.