James Cox
Here we look at the key topics that will dominate political debate over the coming week.
Michael McGrath leaves for Europe
Finance Minister Michael McGrath is set to be appointed as Ireland’s next EU commissioner.
The leaders of the three coalition parties will discuss the measure on Monday, with it due to be approved after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
As work on writing the October Budget picks up steam in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on McGrath’s successor as finance minister.
First Minister Simon Harris and Deputy First Minister Micheal Martin agreed that a decision should be made swiftly to maximise the chances of a new Irish commissioner playing a key role when the new European Commission is confirmed.
Who will be the new Minister of Finance?
Ms McGrath’s replacement will undoubtedly be another member of the Fianna Fáil party.
If the party wants maximum experience for this key role, one option would be for Deputy Prime Minister Miquel Martín to take over as finance minister and fill the vacancies for foreign affairs and defense.
But this is just an external option.
The leading candidates for the role are Junior Minister Jack Chambers and Junior Minister Dara Callery.
Chambers will be confirmed as the party’s deputy leader next week, which many political sources see as a strong indication that the 33-year-old will become a future leader of Fianna Fáil.
He was also responsible for local elections which resulted in Fianna Fáil emerging as the largest party in local government.
Jack Chambers was recently announced as the new deputy leader of Fianna Fáil. Photo: PA Images
Mr Calleary is highly regarded within the party and lost his ministerial position after attending the infamous “Golfgate” dinner but has since been reinstated to a key role within the party.
Mr Callery was also the party’s deputy leader before Mr Chambers.
Another option would be for Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to take on the role of finance minister.
However, this is understood to be the least likely option.
The new Finance Minister is expected to be announced shortly after Michael McGrath’s European Commission nomination is confirmed.
Green Party leadership election
It has become certain that the battle for leadership of the Green Party will be a two-party contest.
Nominations closed at 9pm on Monday night, with only two candidates nominated – Minister Roderick O’Gorman and Minister of State Pippa Hackett.
The election to appoint Eamon Ryan’s successor will take place on July 8th.
So far 16 party members have backed Ms O’Gorman, while five have backed Mr Hackett.
Party affiliation is important but not determining: the Greens have over 4,000 members, each with their own voting rights.
Sinn Féin Election Review
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the party would “bounce back” after failing to achieve its electoral targets in recent local and European elections.
Mr McDonald said Sinn Féin had suffered a “blow” after its poor showing earlier this month.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald announced a review of the party’s election results. Photo: PA Images
Sinn Fein, widely seen as the next government, suffered a major setback with its support ratings falling far short of expectations.
As parties prepare for a general election that could be held later this year, McDonald said the party has begun examining what went wrong in the campaign.
abroad
In the UK, the general election campaign is entering its final stages with the polling day on Thursday 4th July next week fast approaching.
Keir Starmer’s Labour is the next government – the only question is how bad it will get for Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives.
Opinion polls have shown Nigel Farage’s Reform UK closing in on the Conservatives, and Mr Farage has argued it will become the main opposition party.
All eyes in the US are on Thursday’s presidential debate.
It will be a key test for President Joe Biden, as many polls show Donald Trump with a slight lead.
A debate between the two leaders ahead of the 2020 election turned into farce as Trump repeatedly tried to interrupt and shout at his opponent.
But CNN’s debates will have a new rule: microphones will be muted while opponents are speaking.
