Laois TD Brian Stanley didn't vote against Mary Lou McDonald to be Taoiseach

Brian Stanley did not vote for or against Mary Lou McDonald to be Taoiseach on the first day of the resumption of the Dáil.

The Dáil record for December 18 shows that the former Sinn Féin TD didn't abstain either when voting took place in Leinster House to decide if his former party leader would be the next Taoiseach.

The now independent TD does not appear in the list of names of deputies who who voted on the nomination of his former party leader who he says has treated him 'appallingly' during the process which led to his quitting of the party in October.

He took the opportunity to speak in the Dáil after the nomination.

"I thank the people of Co Laois for electing me to the Thirty-fourth Dáil. It was a great honour to be elected. It truly showed that the seat does not belong to any family or party. It belongs to the people of Laois. In fact, all three seats in Laois belong to the people there.

"There are huge challenges ahead in the constituency I represent. We need affordable housing for those caught in the middle who cannot get a mortgage or get on a social housing waiting list. We need schools. School capacity is under serious pressure. We need to get Coláiste Dhún Másc built. We need the relief road at Mountmellick, which Taoiseach Simon Harris and Deputy Aird promised during the election campaign.

"I look forward to its delivery. I will hold the Government to account on that. We need flood relief schemes at Mountmellick and Portarlington. We need primary care centres for Portlaoise and Mountrath, as well as for Rathdowney, Borris-in-Ossory and Graiguecullen. We need to implement the occupied territories Bill to save the people of Palestine. We also need jobs.

"This promises to be a very right-wing Government. There needs to be a strong left-wing Opposition to hold it to account," he said.

The TD was in Leinster House on the first time since the General Election which saw him returned as representative for Laois. The Dáil record does not show what way he voted in the election of Ceann Comhairle which saw independent TD Verona Murphy returned.

Dep Murphy was a colleague of Dep Stanley when he was chairman of the powerful Dáil Public Accounts Committee between 2020 and late 2024.

The Portlaoise-based TD did vote in the motion tabled by the outgoing Government Chief Whip to adjourn the Dáil until 12 noon on Wednesday, January 22. Dep Stanley lined up with Sinn Féin and other opposition parties to oppose this date and resume in the middle of January.

Dep Stanley was accompanied to Dáil by his wife Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley who remains a Sinn Féin TD. She posted of the experience on social media.

"So proud of my husband today taking his seat on behalf of the people of Laois in the 34th Dail. Many thanks to the people of laois for their support, our families and friends, so importantly those who were with us on the campaign, we will never be able to thank you enough but we will continue to work tirelessly on your behalf, she posted on social media.

The TD has aligned with a technical group that includes People Befort Profit / Solidarity and independent TDs in Leinster House. 

The other Laois TDs Willie Aird of Fine Gael and Seán Fleming of Fianna Fáil voted against Ms McDonald as Taoiseach and in favour of adjournment to January 22.