Paul Cunningham

Political Correspondent

Mary Lou McDonald said her frontbench has a gender and regional balance - unlike the coalition

SF frontbench will 'call out dodgy decisions' - McDonald

The Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said her new frontbench is a blend of experience which will "call out every dodgy decision" which the new Government makes.

Politics • 28 Jan

President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the Áras yesterday

Programme for Government ratified by new Cabinet

The Cabinet has formally ratified the Programme for Government, following a meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin last night.

Politics • 24 Jan

Ministers preparing for a photo after receiving their seals of office

Newbies, gender and geography: 5 Cabinet takeaways

RTÉ Politics Correspondent Paul Cunningham takes a look at five takeaways from the new Cabinet selection.

Analysis and Comment • 24 Jan

It is understood that a text has been drafted which will be discussed, with the assistance of the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy

Coalition, opposition leaders to meet over Dáil impasse

Talks are under way at Leinster House to try and bridge the significant differences between the coalition and the opposition, which led to the Dáil being suspended and Micheál Martin not securing the nomination to become taoiseach.

Politics • 22 Jan

Peadar Tóibín said he was engaging in the arrangement to provide speaking rights to fellow TDs (file image)

Aontú leader defends party over Dáil technical group

Five opposition groups will make a joint submission this week to oppose the proposal that a group of TDs, who are supporting the government, can sit on the opposition benches to secure additional Dáil speaking rights.

Politics • 20 Jan

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik spoke of her party's desire to seek unity with other centre left parties

Labour and Social Democrats to meet for coalition talks

A delegation from the Labour Party is due to meet counterparts from Social Democrats about the possibility of agreeing a common negotiating platform on coalition building today.

Politics • 06 Dec 24

Fianna Fáil has ten more seats than Fine Gael after the election

Election 2024: The power of ten

With Fianna Fáil having ten more seats than Fine Gael in the 34th Dáil, Political Correspondent Paul Cunningham assesses what that might mean if, as expected, the two parties enter into Coalition talks.

Election 24 • 04 Dec 24

By signing the Roll of Members, TDs can take their seat when the Dáil convenes for the first time on 18 December

New TDs begin signing Roll of Members at Leinster House

Members of the new 34th Dáil have begun to sign the Roll of Members at Leinster House.

Politics • 03 Dec 24

Micheál Martin declined to get into 'details' such as a rotating Taoiseach, saying it was far too early to discuss such matters

Martin says no new govt in place before Christmas

The leader of Fianna Fáil has said there is a need to move in a timely manner with coalition building, but that it will not happen before Christmas.

Election 24 • 03 Dec 24

Roderic O'Gorman's Green Party faces a long road back to the Cabinet table

A second black day for the Greens

Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman has pledged that his party will "start the rebuild next week," but it's a long, long way back from this General Election drubbing.

Election 24 • 01 Dec 24