Sinn Féin will mount a "formidable opposition" according to leader Mary Lou McDonald, as she announced a reshuffle of the party's frontbench today.
But in the aftermath of disappointing results in the general election when its vote dropped 5.5%, where now, for the leader of the opposition?
It was not supposed to be that way, with Sinn Féin’s high polling numbers leading many to believe it would achieve the historic breakthrough of being in Government in the Republic of Ireland.
Instead, it is consigned once again to the opposition benches, licking its wounds with yet another review underway into electoral performance.
So far, it has shown that it will remain a combative opposition force, with the party having played a key role in last week’s unrest, which delayed the election of the new Taoiseach.
As for a change in direction or approach, that is certainly not evident at this stage.
Front bench refresh
Indeed, the refresh of the front bench seems fairly tame with the key briefs of Health, Housing and Finance, held by the same individuals.
Mary Lou McDonald made it clear today that the party still believes that its approach to the housing issue is the right one in the eyes of voters saying, "the population is convinced Sinn Féin is right on housing".
Notable moves include a return for Mairéad Farrell to Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and Matt Carthy to Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, where he is likely to be a pugnacious opponent for new minister Jim O’Callaghan.
In addition, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire will take on the beefed-up Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence brief at a time of grave concern for Ireland’s economic model.
Other changes include two first-time TDs elevated to the frontbench - Joanna Byrne and Donna McGettigan.
And there is a better stab at achieving gender balance with seven women out of 17.
But what to do differently? More of the same may not deliver a different result in the future.
And while the party remains the largest group in opposition, Labour and the Social Democrats have been energised by their electoral gains.
Show of unity
Much has been made of the rare show of unity on the plinth last week when Ms McDonald was joined by Ivana Bacik, Cian O’Callaghan, Richard Boyd Barrett and Michael Collins.
But, few believe this is likely to prevail in the 34th Dáil when competition and egos get involved.
One area of potential collaboration is the suggestion that parties on the left should back one candidate for this year’s Presidential election.
Asked at today’s news conference, Ms McDonald said it would "make sense" to have a joint approach, but the party has not yet considered the contest.
Last week, Labour leader Ivana Bacik wrote to the leaders of the Green Party and the Social Democrats suggesting such an approach.
However, she did not include Sinn Féin, and she has previously highlighted the differences between their policies.
And in recent Presidential elections, Sinn Féin has been keen to run its own candidate to highlight its defining policy on a united Ireland.
Although, its recent forays into those elections ended badly, with Martin McGuinness and Liadh Ní Riada underperforming.
Next steps
There has also been talk in Leinster House about the unexpected move of Conor Murphy MLA to the Seanad.
His imminent arrival has been perceived by some as a first step towards a more senior role in the party in the South.
If that is the case, it is surprising that they did not run him in a safe Dáil seat in the recent General Election.
Others though, have pointed to his health issue, which caused him to step back from his role as Northern Ireland Minster for the Economy for a time last year.
The official line is that he will use his platform in the Upper House to advocate for the party’s key aim of a united Ireland.
Today, all Ms McDonald said was "he’ll play a big role here," but she added that he had to be elected first.
In reality, the party is winded after the setback of the recent election, and it is difficult to see where it turns to next to take a new route to broaden its appeal.
Instead, it looks to be doubling down on housing as the area where the Government may come unstuck.
