In the words of Yeats: “All is changed, changed utterly”…kind of. 2025 was a year of change in Irish politics for sure, but then again, isn’t every year? But, just how seismic was the shift?
Well, to begin with, we have a new President, Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance. That’s a lot of new. But, actually, we were due a new President after the maximum 14-year tenure of Michael D Higgins expired, so no massive surprise there. Catherine Connolly winning the presidency is arguably something that many people would not have predicted on January 1st, but a President of the left is standard enough in Ireland these last few decades.
And a new Taoiseach and Tánaiste - well they swapped roles, actually, so it’s still the same top two. And a new Minister for Finance? Well, the latest man is our fourth in just 17 months, but he’s also the Tánaiste and former and future Taoiseach, so it’s not exactly revolution.
But, yes, lots still happened since we last packed away the Christmas decorations. So, in case you’ve forgotten, here’s a whistle-stop recap of some of the stories from the year in Irish politics 2025:
January
Government formation talks lead to a draft coalition deal on January 15th. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael agree a draft Programme for Government with the support of several independents, including the Regional Independent Group, setting out a five-year coalition. The Taoiseach’s office will rotate in November 2027.
The Dáil sits on January 22nd to elect a new Taoiseach, but the sitting is abandoned amidst chaotic scenes, as opposition parties furiously oppose proposed speaking-time reforms. It’s a personal disappointment for Micheál Martin, who was due to be elected Taoiseach on the date of the anniversary of his later father Paddy Martin.
The next day, the Dáil votes 95–76 to elect Martin as Taoiseach for a second time. Simon Harris becom.es Tánaiste.
Seanad elections have been underway throughout January, with counting beginning on January 30th. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael both gain seats; Aontú and the Social Democrats win Seanad seats for the first time.
February
The new Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy rules on February 3rd that government-supporting Independent TDs cannot form a Dáil “technical group” to gain opposition-style speaking rights. The row rumbles on between government and opposition groupings, with efforts to resolve the matter at the Dáil Business Committee proving futile.
Sinn Féin announces on February 21st that it will boycott St Patrick’s events at the White House. The boycott is in protest against President Trump’s position on the Gaza conflict.
It emerges on February 25th that a special scanner purchased eight years ago by the National Gallery for over €120,000 has yet to be used because a suitable room for the equipment cannot be found.
March
A major Ireland–UK summit takes place in Liverpool on March 6th, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheál Martin both talking about “turning a page” following years of post-Brexit tensions.
Micheál Martin visits the White House for the usual St Patrick’s Day programme and meets with President Trump in the Oval Office on March 12th. Five days later, on St Patrick’s Day, a separate Oval Office meeting between President Trump and Conor McGregor takes place. The move sparks outrage from many political quarters. Taoiseach Martin and Tánaiste Harris publicly condemn McGregor’s commentary on the Irish Government and migration, with opposition TDs criticising both Trump and McGregor.
The row over Dáil speaking time continues, with a contentious motion being carried on March 25th to create a new speaking slot for government backbenchers and independents. It leads to chaos and confusion and an eventual adjournment after hours of shouting and bickering.
April
The Dáil holds its first ever motion of confidence in a Ceann Comhairle on April fool’s day. Verona Murphy survives by 96–71. The vote is the final chapter in the speaking rights issue.
On April 7th, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett announces that he is to step back from politics following a throat cancer diagnosis. The Dún Laoghaire deputy was in the middle of the general election campaign when he noticed a swelling on his throat while shaving.
President Higgins leads tributes from leaders across the island to Rory McIlroy on winning the US Masters at Augusta on April 13th.
On April 21st, political leaders north and south offer tributes following Pope Francis’ passing.
Nearly five months after the general election, Oireachtas Committee Chairs are finally announced on April 24th.
May
RTÉ confirms on May 1st that it has written down €3.6 million on a partly failed IT system, leading to the newly appointed Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Alan Kelly TD, to invite RTÉ to a special hearing of the Committee later in the month.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission fines TikTok €530m on May 3rd for GDPR breaches involving transfers of EU users’ data to China.
Dublin Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney is replaced as the party’s Foreign Affairs Spokesperson.
June
On June 6th, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris announces a review into the investigation of the 2017 murder of Tina Satchwell in Youghal, Co. Cork.
Large crowds protest outside Leinster House on June 17th under the Raise the Roof banner, demanding emergency action on housing and homelessness. The rally is coordinated by ICTU and backed by Sinn Féin, Labour, Social Democrats and People Before Profit. In the Dáil, opposition call for stronger renter protections, more public housing investment, and emergency measures including re-introducing an eviction ban.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan speaks publicly for the first time on June 23rd about living with epilepsy.
July
Catherine Connolly, the Independent TD for Galway West, announces on July 11th that it is her intention to run for President of Ireland.
Excavations at the mass grave at the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam begin on July 14th.
The Dáil rises for the summer recess on July 17th.
August
Presidential Election:
Fine Gael’s Mairead McGuinness ends her presidential candidacy on medical advice, on August 14th. Heather Humphreys soon emerges as Fine Gael’s preferred new candidate.
August 29/30: At a 50th anniversary commemorative mass for former Taoiseach and President, Éamon de Valera, his grandson Éamon Ó Cuív does not rule out a run for the presidency. Meanwhile, Micheál Martin publicly endorsed former Dublin manager Jim Gavin as the Fianna Fáil candidate.
Other News:
At the Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford on August 3rd, President Higgins urges the UN Security Council to use Chapter VII to secure a humanitarian corridor into Gaza, calling the situation “the destruction of an entire people”.
Irish missionary Gena Heraty is kidnapped in Haiti on August 3rd, with intensive diplomatic efforts securing her release on August 29th.
India Day at Farmleigh is postponed on safety grounds in mid-August following a spate of recent racially motivated attacks, prompting debate about integration and far-right activity.
September
Presidential Election:
In early September, meteorologist Joanna Donnelly and dancer Michael Flatley both confirm that they will not run for the presidency. They are followed by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who also rules herself out. Efforts by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to become the Fianna Fáil candidate also fail.
Sinn Féin formally endorses Catherine Connolly on September 20th, having previously stated that their position on the presidential election would be a ‘game changer’.
Barrister Maria Steen fails to secure the required 20 nominations from Oireachtas members by the close of nominations on September 24th, falling just short with 18. The ballot paper on October 24th will have three candidates: Catherine Connolly (Ind), Jim Gavin (FF) and Heather Humphreys (FG).
Other News:
Tánaiste Simon Harris and UK Secretary of State Hilary Benn announce a new deal on Troubles legacy on September 19th. The deal is to replace the highly controversial UK Legacy and Reconciliation Act.
The Cearta march takes place on September 20th, bringing Irish-language and Gaeltacht campaigners to the gates of Leinster House on issues such as language funding, housing and education policies for Gaeltacht communities.
October
Presidential Election:
BOMBSHELL on October 5th as Jim Gavin withdraws from the presidential race following a well-publicised controversy involving monies overpaid to him by a tenant many years earlier. It’s now effectively a two-horse race between Connolly and Humphreys, but Gavin’s name will still be on the ballot.
Polls throughout the month consistently show Catherine Connolly leading the race.
The “Spoil the Vote” campaign is launched on October 17th, with backers calling on voters to spoil their ballots.
Polling day is October 24th. When the votes are counted the following day, Catherine Connolly wins with 63.4% of first-preference votes, the highest ever in an Irish presidential election. She becomes Ireland’s tenth President. Heather Humphreys secures 29%, with Jim Gavin on 7% despite his withdrawal.
Turnout is 45.8% (second lowest ever for an Irish presidential election) and spoiled votes account for 12.9% of all votes cast.
Other News:
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers present Budget 2026 on October 7th.
Major unrest breaks out on October 21st at a protest at Citywest IPAS centre. A Garda van is set alight and a number of people are injured. Six people are arrested for public order offences.
Minister Darragh O’Brien announces on October 22nd that Ireland is planning to construct a submarine electricity interconnector to Spain during the 2030s.
Five people, including four children, are rescued from a burning International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre in Drogheda, Co. Louth, after fireworks are thrown into the building.
November
Taoiseach Micheál Martin addresses the UN COP 30 climate change summit in Brazil on November 6th.
Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina leave Áras an Uachtaráin at midnight on the night of November 10th, marking the end of his 14-year tenure as President.
Catherine Connolly is sworn in at Dublin Castle’s St Patrick’s Hall on November 11th and moves into Áras an Uachtaráin.
One of the biggest political stories of 2025 breaks on November 18th, with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe announcing that he is resigning to take up a role with the World Bank in Washington DC.
In the subsequent mini-reshuffle, Tánaiste Simon Harris moves from Foreign Affairs to Finance, with Helen McEntee moving from Education to Foreign Affairs and Hildegarde Naughten moving from her super-junior position to Education. Emer Higgins is promoted to the vacant super-junior ministry, with Frankie Feighan winning promotion to the Minister of State’s position vacated by Emer Higgins.
December so far…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska make their first official state visit to Ireland on December 1st and 2nd. They are welcomed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President Catherine Connolly, with President Zelenskyy addressing a joint sitting of the Oireachtas.
An investigation is subsequently opened by Gardaí into drone activity off the Dublin coast on the night of Zelenskyy’s arrival.
RTÉ announces on December 4th that Ireland will not participate in or broadcast Eurovision 2026 in protest at Israeli involvement in Eurovision in the context of the conflict in Gaza.
Disquiet within Fianna Fáil since their disastrous presidential election leads to the publication of a report on December 16th, reviewing certain matters relating to the campaign. Micheál Martin denies that his leadership is in trouble.
And the year isn’t over yet. Who knows what every new day will bring, not to mention what a whole new year may festoon upon us. 2025 may not have been a classic, but it wasn’t the dullest year either, with trade, tariffs and Trump dominating the agenda. And, 2025 teed-up not just one, but two by-elections to look forward to by next May.
So, with that in mind, let’s all take a well-earned rest over the coming days and weeks, for in the new year, the madness will start all over.
Happy Christmas and all the very best for 2026.
Brendan Griffin is a former Fine Gael TD for Kerry, Deputy Government Chief Whip and Minister for Tourism and Sport
