Micheál Martin served as the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of Fianna Fáil from 12 April 2011 until 27 June 2020. During this period, Fianna Fáil formed the largest opposition party in Dáil Éireann across the 31st Dáil and 32nd Dáil.
Overview Fianna Fáil is the largest opposition party in the Dáil and therefore that party's leader takes the title Leader of the Opposition, a largely nominal role. The other parties that occupy the opposition benches include Sinn Féin and the United Left Alliance.
The "Official Opposition" is viewed as the party tasked with keeping the government in check. It is also generally viewed as the alternative government. The Official Opposition maintains a Front bench of TDs that often have the same portfolios as actual ministers. They are known as opposition "spokespersons".
The title of "the Opposition" is held by the largest party in Dáil Éireann which is not in government, and sometimes the Opposition may even be the largest party in the Dáil. The latter situation almost always occurred when Fianna Fáil were in opposition. This is due to the existence of the multi-party system where Fine Gael usually forms a coalition with the Labour Party. Official OppositionYearsLabour Party1922–1927Fianna Fáil1927–1932Cumann na nGaedheal1932–1933Fine Gael1933–1948Fianna Fáil1948–1951Fine Gael1951–1954Fianna Fáil1954–1957Fine Gael1957–1973Fianna Fáil1973–1977Fine Gael1977–1981Fianna Fáil1981–1982Fine Gael1982Fianna Fáil1982–1987Fine Gael1987–1994Fianna Fáil1994–1997Fine Gael1997–2011 Fianna Fáil2011–2020 Sinn Féin2020–
Fianna Fáil Front Bench 2016–2020
Dáil Éireann
Portfolio Name Leader of Fianna FáilLeader of the OppositionMicheál MartinDeputy Leader of Fianna FáilMinister for Rural and Community Development and the GaeltachtDirector of Policy DevelopmentDara Calleary Opposition Chief WhipMichael Moynihan Agriculture, Food and the MarineCharlie McConalogue Culture, Heritage and the GaeltachtNiamh Smyth Children and Youth AffairsAnne Rabbitte Communications, Climate Action and Environment Jack Chambers DefenceJack Chambers Disability Margaret Murphy O'Mahony DublinJohn Lahart Education and SkillsThomas Byrne Housing, Planning and Local GovernmentDarragh O'BrienFinanceMichael McGrath Foreign Affairs and TradeSeán HaugheyHealthStephen Donnelly Business, Enterprise and InnovationRobert Troy Justice and EqualityJim O'Callaghan Mental Health James Browne Public Expenditure and ReformBarry Cowen Employment Affairs and Social ProtectionWillie O'Dea Transport, Tourism and SportMarc MacSharryBrexitLisa Chambers
Seanad Éireann
Portfolio Name Seanad Group LeaderEmployment Affairs and Social Protection Catherine Ardagh Seanad Deputy Group Leader Foreign Affairs, Irish Overseas and the Diaspora Mark Daly Agriculture, Food and the Marine Paul Daly Business, Enterprise and Innovation Aidan Davitt Rural and Community Development Brian Ó Domhnaill Education Robbie Gallagher Finance Gerry Horkan Justice, Children and Youth Affairs Lorraine Clifford-Lee Communications, Climate Action and Environment Terry Leyden Housing, Planning and Local Government Jennifer Murnane O'Connor Without portfolio Denis O'Donovan Health and Mental Health Ned O'Sullivan Transport, Tourism and Sport Keith Swanick Public Expenditure and Reform and Defence Ned O'Sullivan
Fianna Fáil Front Bench 2012–2016 PortfolioSpokespersonLeader of the Opposition,Spokesperson on Northern IrelandMicheál MartinAgriculture and Food, and Community AffairsÉamon Ó CuívChildrenRobert TroyCommunications, Energy and Natural ResourcesMichael MoynihanConstitutional reform, Arts and Culture, Defence and Party whipSeán Ó FearghaílEducation and SkillsCharlie McConalogueEnvironment and Local GovernmentBarry CowenFinanceMichael McGrathForeign Affairs and Trade and Border Region DevelopmentBrendan SmithHealthBilly KelleherHorticulture and Rural AffairsSéamus KirkHousing, Planning and Gaeltacht AffairsMichael KittJobs, Enterprise and InnovationDara CallearyJustice and EqualityNiall CollinsMarine and FisheriesJohn BrownePublic Expenditure and ReformSeán FlemingSmall Business and Regulatory FrameworkJohn McGuinnessSocial Protection and Social EqualityWillie O'DeaTransport, Tourism and SportTimmy DooleyMental Health and Special NeedsColm Keaveney
See also Fine Gael Front Bench Green Party Front Bench Labour Party Front Bench Sinn Féin Front Bench
Footnotes
References
External links Fianna Fáil spokespersons