Ireland: 34th Dáil Éireann to meet for first time since elections

Politicians in the Republic of Ireland are to meet later 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.

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.

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.