Regular updates from the first meeting of the 32nd Dáil

Thursday, March 10, 2016

The first meeting of the new Dáil has concluded.

That is the conclusion of our coverage, you can read about the details of the vote for Táoiseach from the Irish Examiner's Daniel McConnell here, and about Micheál Martin ruling out a deal with Fine Gael here.

Voting on the election of a Taoiseach has finished.

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TDs rejected Enda Kenny, Micheál Martin, Gerry Adams and Richard Boyd-Barrett for the role of Táoiseach, and Mr Kenny has resigned, but will remain in office in a caretaker capacity.

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Update 5.46pm:

Richard Boyd-Barrett gets nine votes for Taoiseach, and 111 votes against.

Enda Kenny will resign as Taoiseach, but will now act as caretaker Taoiseach.

Mr Kenny said: "After today's sitting has concluded, I will inform the President of my resignation from office."

Update 5.25pm:

Gerry Adams gets 24 votes for Taoiseach, and 116 votes against, 16 TDs abstained.

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Update 5.05pm:

Micheál Martin gets 43 votes for Taoiseach, and 108 votes against.

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Update 4.45pm:

Enda Kenny gets 57 votes, the exact amount of Fine Gael and Labour TDs, for Taoiseach. There are 94 votes against him. Only five TDs abstained.

It will mean he will have to submit his resignation to the President, but continue in a caretaker capacity.

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It is reported that the five that abstained were Denis Naughten, Mattie McGrath, Noel Grealish, Michael Collins and Michael Harty.

Update 4.20pm:

52 first time TDs have taken their seats in the Dáil this afternoon and veteran TD Willie O'Dea had this advice for them.

He said: "My advice for the first-timers is the same as it has always been, first of all get to know your way around as soon as possible.

"I am sure they are pretty switched on people and they will be using the inter regnum between the day of the election and today to do that.

"Secondly, I would say that the re-election campaign is the first day you're elected."

Update 4pm:

Independent TD Danny Healy Rae says: "I could've nominated Michael. I'm not making a joke of Dáil, but that's what I'm seeing today.

"I don't know what happened in the civil war, it was long before my time. It's like turning up at a wedding and the bride and groom haven't shown up."

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Update 3.40pm:

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan says he and Catherine Martin will vote against all four nominees for Taoiseach.

However, he also says it may be time for civil war among parties to come to an end.

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Update 3.35pm:

Labour leader Joan Burton defends her party's performance in government for the past five years and says Fine Gael should join with Fianna Fáil to form a government.

She said: "They should be prepared to govern and take decisions in the national interest and the people's interest."

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Update 3.28pm:

Independent TD Seamus Healy says he will support candidates from Right2Change in the vote for Taoiseach, so that means Gerry Adams and Richard Boyd-Barrett.

He will oppose Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin.

Update 3.21pm:

That is the last of the nominations, so there are four candidates for the role: Enda Kenny, Micheál Martin, Gerry Adams and Richard Boyd-Barrett.

Update 3.18pm:

Ruth Coppinger of the Anti-Austerity Alliance proposes Richard Boyd Barrett as Taoiseach.

Update 3.15pm:

Mary Lou McDonald nominates Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams for Taoiseach, describing him as "the leader of the largest all-island party and one of the architects of the peace process".

One of the party's new TDs, Imelda Munster, seconds him for the role.

Update 3.10pm:

Fianna Fáil's Thomas Byrne, TD for Meath East, seconds Micheál Martin for Taoiseach.

Update 3.05pm:

Fine Gael's Catherine Byrne didn't make the best of impressions on her party leader.

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Update 2.55pm:

Fine Gael's youngest TD Noel Rock is first up to nominate a Taoiseach, putting forward Enda Kenny.

Independent TD for Kerry Michael Healy-Rae gets off to a great start in the Dáil, with the following words to congratulate the new Ceann Comhairle, "On behalf of the Healy-Rae party".

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Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin says: "We didn’t get a mandate to go into government with Fine Gael and we certainly didn’t get a mandate to put Fine Gael back into government."

Update 2.40pm:

Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who is formally elected as Ceann Comhairle of the 32nd Dáil, has opened the first session.

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Update 2.05pm:

Around 500 people protested against water charges outside Dáil Eireann this afternoon.

Protesters said that working class people will never accept the charge, as the first sitting of the 32nd Dáil went on inside.

Update 2.00pm:

157 of the 158 deputies of the 32nd Dáil cast a vote for Ceann Comhairle - Tipperary Independent Michael Lowry was not present.

Counting took place with Seán O'Feargháil of Fianna Fáil topping the poll and after 5 counts eventually reaching the quota.

His win was announced by clerk of the Dáil, Peter Finnegan.

Deputy O'Fearghail's appointment as Ceann Comhairle needs to be ratified in the Dáil chamber when it resumes at 2:30pm.

Then it's on to the business of electing a Taoiseach.

Enda Kenny, Micheál Martin, Gerry Adams, Richard Boyd Barrett and an as yet un-named candidate for the Independent Alliance will all be nominated.

None are expected to get a majority in support which will force Enda Kenny to resign, but continue in a caretaker capacity.

The Dáil will also likely adjourn for up to four weeks to allow negotiations on forming a government take place.

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Update 1.17pm: Fianna Fáil's Seán O'Fhearghail has been elected as Ceann Comhairle after the fourth and final count.

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Ceann Comhairle 4th Count:

O'Fhearghail +13 = 74;

Doyle +10 = 58

Update 12.50pm: Maureen O'Sullivan has been eliminated after the third count.

Ceann Comhairle 3rd Count:

O'Fearghail +1 = 61;

Doyle +0 = 48 ;

O'Sullivan +17 = 42

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Update 12.50pm: Sinn Féin's O Caolain has been eliminated after the second count in the vote for Ceann Comhairle.

Second count:

S O'Fearghail: +4 = 60

A Doyle: +16 = 48

M O'Sullivan: +1 = 25

C O Caolain +0 = 24

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Update 12.35pm: The first count in the vote for Ceann Comhairle has finished and Brendan Durkan has been eliminated.

His votes will be distributed.

Total poll 157, spoils 0, quota 79:

S Ó Fearghail 56

A Doyle 32

M O'Sullivan 24

C O'Caolain 24

B Durkan 21

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Update 12.15pm: The Healy-Rae's are hosting a bit of a session outside the Dáil.

Sign of things to come for the Dáil?

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People Before Profits TD Gino Kenny hugs his mother Marie outside Leinster House. Pic: Pa

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Update 11.55am: The ballot for the election of the Ceann Comhairle is complete and the ballot boxes are going to the Count Centre.

The Dáil resumes at 2.30pm, but the result will be announced prior to resumption.

Update 11.35am:

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Clerk of the Dáil Peter Finnegan asks members to collect their ballot papers for the Ceann Comhairle vote.

Update 11.20am:

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Dublin Central independent, Maureen O’Sullivan, finishes off the candidates' speeches by saying that she "didn’t actively seek the nomination" and instead she was encouraged to put her name forward.

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Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin claims he has the "skills and disposition to serve" as Ceann Comhairle, while Seán Ó Fearghaíl of Fianna Fáil pays tribute to the dedication of the outgoing Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett.

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Fine Gael's Bernard Durkan jokes that he is "more of an antagonist than a moderator".

Update 11.10am:

The position will be filled by secret ballot - and will guarantee the winner automatic re-election to the next Dáil.

Clerk of the Dáil Peter Finnegan has read the proclamation summoning the 32nd Dáil and announced the names of the 158 deputies.

Five candidates are vying for the position of Ceann Comhairle - Fine Gael's Andrew Doyle and Bernard Durkan, Fianna Fáil's Seán O'Fhearghail, Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín O'Caoláin and Independent Maureen O'Sullivan.

In the past few minutes the candidates have begun making their pitches, before voting takes place - first up was deputy Andrew Doyle: “I’m conscious of the fact that this is a historic moment, as we assemble on the first day of the 32nd Dáil to elect the Ceann Comhairle.

“We are actually seeing history being made, perhaps fittingly in this our centenary year of our countries proclamation members of this house are going to elect our own Ceann Comhairle for the first time.

“This process marks a significant change and it is the first of a wide range of reforms that are necessary.”

Update 10.38am:

TDs are not expected to agree on a new Taoiseach today - but will fill the position of Ceann Comhairle.

For the first time ever the Chair will be elected through a secret ballot - traditionally the job has been awarded by the Taoiseach.

The front runner is the Independent Dublin Central TD Maureen O'Sullivan.

Even Sinn Féin's Deputy leader Mary Lou Mc Donald has said she will vote for her: “My first preference is for Caoimhin O’Caoláin, because I believe he is the most capable candidate.

“There after as you know I am very keen on women contesting the space, and assuming very senior roles in public life not least in politics.

“Maureen (O Sullivan) is also a constituent colleaque of mine, a fine parliamentarian and I would have a preference for the role to fall to an Independent.”

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