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Irish election: Dáil meets but no sign of new taoiseach Irish election: Dáil meets but no sign of new taoiseach
(about 1 hour later)
Members of the new Dáil Éireann (the Irish parliament) have been voting to elect a speaker, or ceann comhairle.Members of the new Dáil Éireann (the Irish parliament) have been voting to elect a speaker, or ceann comhairle.
The 32nd Dail is meeting for the first time on Thursday after last month's general election. The 32nd Dáil is meeting for the first time on Thursday after last month's general election.
However, with no party close to an overall majority there is no expectation that a taoiseach (Irish prime minister) will also be elected.However, with no party close to an overall majority there is no expectation that a taoiseach (Irish prime minister) will also be elected.
The 158 TDs (Irish parliament members) elected began their business by finding someone to oversee proceedings. Two candidates for speaker remain after a third count: Fine Gael's Andrew Doyle and Fianna Fáil's Seán Ó Fearghaíl.
Voting has concluded, although the results are not yet known. The Dáil will resume at 14:30 local time. Mr Ó Fearghaíl currently has 61 votes - 18 short of the quota, while Mr Doyle has 48.
Sinn Fein's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has been excluded, as has Fine Gael's Bernard Durkan and independent left-wing TD Maureen O'Sullivan.
Fine Gael is the largest party of the outgoing coalition government. Fianna Fáil were the main opposition party.Fine Gael is the largest party of the outgoing coalition government. Fianna Fáil were the main opposition party.
Five TDs have been nominated: Fine Gael's Andrew Doyle; his party colleague Bernard J Durkan; Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin; independent left-wing TD Maureen O'Sullivan and Seán Ó Fearghaíl, of Fianna Fáil. There was a belief that the privacy of the ballot box would mean some Fine Gael TDs will support Mr Ó Fearghaíl, so that Fianna Fáil will have one less voting deputy in parliament.
The two favourites are believed to be Ms O'Sullivan and Mr Ó Fearghaíl. Each of those nominated gave speeches to the Dáil on why they think they should become speaker and TDs then voted.
Ms O'Sullivan left her Dublin Central count centre in the recent general election, conceding that she was likely to be defeated considering the first count result. Later the 158 TDs will get down to the election of a taoiseach.
But with the single transferable vote system, she proved to be so transfer-friendly that she was elected in the three-seat constituency.
Meanwhile, there is a belief that the privacy of the ballot box will mean some Fine Gael TDs will support Mr Ó Fearghaíl, so that Fianna Fáil will have one less voting deputy in parliament.
Each of those nominated have given speeches to the Dáil on why they think they should become speaker and TDs are now voting.
After the election of a ceann comhairle, it is likely there will be a break.
Then TDs will get down to the election of a taoiseach.
Fine Gael has 50 seats, Fianna Fáil 44, Sinn Féin 23 and the Labour Party got seven.Fine Gael has 50 seats, Fianna Fáil 44, Sinn Féin 23 and the Labour Party got seven.
Smaller parties and independents make up the other 34 seats.Smaller parties and independents make up the other 34 seats.
With the house heavily split among parties, there is no expectation of there being a taoiseach or a government formed by the end of Thursday.With the house heavily split among parties, there is no expectation of there being a taoiseach or a government formed by the end of Thursday.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny will continue as the head of government in a caretaker role until a taoiseach is formally elected.Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny will continue as the head of government in a caretaker role until a taoiseach is formally elected.
When he visits US President Barack Obama in Washington as part of the St Patrick's Day festivities, it is likely he will do so in that capacity.When he visits US President Barack Obama in Washington as part of the St Patrick's Day festivities, it is likely he will do so in that capacity.
It is even likely he will still be caretaker taoiseach at the time of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising on 27 March.It is even likely he will still be caretaker taoiseach at the time of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising on 27 March.
Mr Kenny is expected to go to Áras an Uachtaráin, the home of Irish president Michael D Higgins, on Thursday afternoon to keep him informed of developments.Mr Kenny is expected to go to Áras an Uachtaráin, the home of Irish president Michael D Higgins, on Thursday afternoon to keep him informed of developments.
On the two previous occasions no taoiseach was elected, in 1989 and 1992, the first meeting of the Dáil was adjourned, more than once, to allow negotiations on the formation of a government.On the two previous occasions no taoiseach was elected, in 1989 and 1992, the first meeting of the Dáil was adjourned, more than once, to allow negotiations on the formation of a government.
This is also expected to happen this time.This is also expected to happen this time.
Regardless of who will be taoiseach, the 32nd Dáil is expected to give more TDs control over the running of the house.Regardless of who will be taoiseach, the 32nd Dáil is expected to give more TDs control over the running of the house.
One of the criticisms of the Irish legislature is that it has been dominated by the government.One of the criticisms of the Irish legislature is that it has been dominated by the government.
There is a growing recognition that has to change.There is a growing recognition that has to change.
In the meantime, behind the scenes, contact will be made to set up face-to-face negotiations between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.In the meantime, behind the scenes, contact will be made to set up face-to-face negotiations between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
The only combination of two parties that would have an overall majority involves both.The only combination of two parties that would have an overall majority involves both.
The two great centrist-parties of Irish politics have their origins in the original Sinn Féin.The two great centrist-parties of Irish politics have their origins in the original Sinn Féin.
During the Irish Civil War in the early 1920s, the two fought over the treaty that gave what is now the Republic of Ireland self-government and independence.During the Irish Civil War in the early 1920s, the two fought over the treaty that gave what is now the Republic of Ireland self-government and independence.
Divided by "irreconcilable similarities", they have never been in government together before and both ruled out such a development during the recent campaign.Divided by "irreconcilable similarities", they have never been in government together before and both ruled out such a development during the recent campaign.
Fine Gael appears to be moving towards offering Fianna Fáil a grand coalition.Fine Gael appears to be moving towards offering Fianna Fáil a grand coalition.
The move could see both parties sharing the job of taoiseach for the sake of stability.The move could see both parties sharing the job of taoiseach for the sake of stability.
However, opposition to such a development remains strong in Fianna Fáil.However, opposition to such a development remains strong in Fianna Fáil.
Éamon Ó Cuív, the grandson of the party's founder Éamon de Valera, has made his views known on this.Éamon Ó Cuív, the grandson of the party's founder Éamon de Valera, has made his views known on this.
However, for another election to be avoided in the near future some form of understanding will have to be reached.However, for another election to be avoided in the near future some form of understanding will have to be reached.
While we are still in the opening chapter in the story of the 32nd Dáil, it is certain there are many twists and turns left.While we are still in the opening chapter in the story of the 32nd Dáil, it is certain there are many twists and turns left.