34th Dáil Éireann to meet for first time since elections

Getty Images Government Buildings on Kildare Street in Dublin
Large brick building with large flowerpots either side of entrance with yellow flowers — The 34th Dáil is to meet on Wednesday for the first time since the elections in November

Politicians in the Republic of Ireland are meeting for the first time since the general election.

Voting to elect the 34th Dáil (lower house of Irish parliament) took place on 29 November, with Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and Fine Gael winning the most seats.

Fianna Fáil announced that they were backing their leader’s endorsement of the candidacy of Independent TD (MP) Verona Murphy for Ceann Comhairle (speaker) on Tuesday.

The Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) Micheál Martin backed her for the position over party candidate and outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl.

Outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl wants to retain his position as speaker

Getty Images Sean O Fearghail is standing in front of the Irish tricolour flag and the Eu flag. He wears glasses and is wearing a navy suit with a blue shirt and a printed tie. — Outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl wants to retain his position as speaker

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has also recommended the party’s TDs support Murphy for the position, Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported.

Fianna Fáil’s Ó Fearghaíl told RTÉ that the role should not form part of government formation negotiations.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Radio 1, Ó Fearghaíl said Martin told him that he saw the election of Murphy as being critical to the formation of a stable government.

“I am not angry, but I am deeply disappointed,” Ó Fearghaíl said on Tuesday.

Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness also said he was going to run to become the new Ceann Comhairle on Wednesday.

Independent TD Verona Murphy has received backing from the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael leaders

PA Media Verona Murphy wearing her blonde hair down with a navy coat on standing in front of a coast line — Independent TD Verona Murphy has received backing from the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael leaders

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are in negotiations with the Regional Independent group to become the third leg of the next government.

The group asked both parties to back the nomination of Murphy.

The position is anonymously elected by members of the Dáil in the first session after each general election.

The largest three parties following the general election are Fianna Fáil with 48 TDs, Sinn Féin with 39 and Fine Gael with 38.

The leaders of the three main parties were all re-elected.

Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil, Simon Harris of Fine Gael, and the Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald all retained their seats.

Now, they all face an even bigger challenge – to try to form the next government.

What will happen today?

On Wednesday morning, Simon Harris formally tendered his resignation to the Irish President as Irish premier, although he will stay on in the role until a new Taoiseach is appointed.

Proceedings in the Dáil are due to get underway at 10:30 local time.

The Clerk of the Dáil, Peter Finnegan, will read out the names of all 174 TDs (members of the Irish parliament).

TDs will then vote to elect a new Ceann Comhairle by secret ballot.

The election will be followed by nominations opening for the role of taoiseach, although it is not expected that anyone will be elected today as talks to form a new government have not been concluded.

If the role isn’t filled, the Dáil will be suspended and a date set in the new year for members to reconvene.

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