The election of taoiseach (Irish prime minister) has been delayed after the D\u00e1il (lower house of Irish parliament) was suspended amid chaotic scenes in the chamber.<\/p>\n Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said the disruption was utterly farcical describing it as an effort to “obstruct and shout down, to disrespect the Ceann Comhairle and the constitutional office”.<\/p>\n Miche\u00e1l Martin who is to be voted in as the new taoiseach said the delays were a “premeditated, coordinated and a choreographed position by the opposition in particular the Sinn F\u00e9in party”.<\/p>\n Politicians returned to the house on Wednesday to nominate Fianna F\u00e1il leader Miche\u00e1l Martin as the new taoiseach before he is formally appointed to the office by President Michael D Higgins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Martin said this is the first time in over 100 years that the D\u00e1il has failed to elect a taoiseach.<\/p>\n However, Sinn F\u00e9in and other opposition TDs (MPs) had voiced their anger throughout sittings at plans to allow independents who are supporting the government to join them on opposition benches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) Verona Murphy said proceedings would resume on Thursday morning as she was shouted down by opposition TDs.<\/p>\n Discussions had been taking place throughout Wednesday afternoon as parties tried come to an agreement, but these had failed.<\/p>\n As Murphy returned to the chamber at 16:00 local time after a number of suspensions, opposition TDs rose to their feet.<\/p>\n The ceann comhairle then abandoned plans to elect a taoiseach, with proceedings ending with bitter exchanges between TD’s across the chamber.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Speaking outside Parliament buildings, Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald claimed the government had “demonstrated incredible arrogance”.<\/p>\n “There has to be a clear understanding of the role of government and opposition, respectively,” she said.<\/p>\n McDonald said the “matter can be resolved, actually, very, very easily. It simply requires honesty and integrity from the government.”<\/p>\n McDonald said she and other opposition party leaders written to the leaders of the incoming coalition to request a meeting about the issues relating to the status of independent politicians who will support the government.<\/p>\n “What transpired today was farcical, utterly farcical and it was a mess created by government and it is one that can be resolved by the government.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The 34th D\u00e1il will see Martin elected as taoiseach for the second time, replacing Fine Gael leader Simon Harris who will return as t\u00e1naiste (deputy prime minister).<\/p>\n Fianna F\u00e1il – the largest party – has formed a government with Fine Gael and a range of independent regional TDs after November’s election<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sinn F\u00e9in remain the largest opposition party after winning 39 seats. Fianna F\u00e1il gained 48 seats while Fine Gael was third with 38 seats.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Martin and Harris confirmed the new draft programme for government earlier this month<\/a>.<\/p>\n The deal paved the way for the next government and was successfully endorsed by both parties in recent days.<\/p>\n Speaking after his party endorsed the programme for government, Martin said there was a “strong commitment” on behalf of his party to deliver for the Irish people.<\/p>\n “I can assure you, we will spare no effort in working selflessly on behalf of the people of Ireland to deliver this programme for government, to make things better for people and to improve the quality of life as we navigate very turbulent global waters,” he said.<\/p>\n Both Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael ruled out Sinn F\u00e9in as a coalition partner, which party leader Mary Lou McDonald called “bad practice”<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This is the first time the new government will sit after November’s election, with government negotiations taking around five weeks to complete.<\/p>\n The new D\u00e1il has already been the source of controversy after a number of independent TDs including Michael Lowry, Danny Healy-Rae, Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole, who support the government, want to form a “technical group” which would allow them speaking time and other rights from the opposition benches.<\/p>\n Another member of the group, Michael Healy-Rae, said they were “perfectly entitled to stand up as part of a technical group and ask questions and to be part of debates”.<\/p>\n‘Incredible arrogance’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Miche\u00e1l Martin returning as taoiseach<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
![\"PA](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/d87b\/live\/d3cba3c0-d8a0-11ef-993a-9dfb304c6a75.jpg.webp\")
PA Media<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nIndependent TDs<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n