Micheal Martin TD, Fianna Fail Leader, aged 64, is the new Taoiseach on a Dáil vote of 95 in favour to 76 against. The Dáil is now adjourned for three hours to allow the new Taoiseach to visit Aras an Uachtaráin and collect his Seal of Office from the President Michael D. Higgins. Later today the structure of the new Government will be revealed along with the Ministers appointed to lead each Department which are expected to include some changes from the responsibilities assigned in the outgoing government.
Earlier today the Dáil heard nominations for Taoiseach with Micheal Martin Fianna Fáil and Mary Lou McDonald Sinn Fein both nominated. The Dáil also allowed time for parties and technical Groups that were not making nominations to address the Dáil. In seconding the motion for Mary Lou McDonald Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty launched a scathing attack on Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry and the issues investigated by the Moriarty Tribunal and questioned the actions of Micheal Martin in agreeing a deal for the Programme for Government involving Deputy Lowry.
Labour Leader Ivana Bacik expressed concerns about “a return of stroke politics” referring to the Government’s initial plan to allow TDs involved in the creation of the Programme for Government the use of Opposition time in the Dáil.
Today’s Dáil session began with confirmation that the Government will establish a committee on standing orders and Dáil reform to specifically examine technical groups and unaligned member’s rights. A solution is to be in place by February 5th, Deputy Michael Lowry says his Regional group will accept that the group will not be recognised by the Ceann Comhairle today to facilitate the election of Taoiseach and Members of the Government.