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Irish election: Candidates for taoiseach nominated Irish election: Candidates for taoiseach nominated
(35 minutes later)
The Dáil (Irish parliament) is currently hearing nominations for the role of taoiseah (prime minister). Four politicians have been nominated for the role of taoiseach - Irish prime minister.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin and Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams have all been nominated. Fine Gael's Enda Kenny, Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin, Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams and People Aganist Profit's Richard Boyd Barrett have been nominated.
Earlier, Fianna Fáil's Seán Ó Fearghaíl was elected ceann comhairle - speaker - of the Dáil. Earlier, Fianna Fáil's Seán Ó Fearghaíl was elected ceann comhairle - speaker - of the Dáil (Irish parliament).
The 32nd Dáil has been meeting for the first time on Thursday after last month's general election.The 32nd Dáil has been 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.
Mr Kenny is continuing in the job in a caretaker role until a taoiseach is formally elected.Mr Kenny is continuing in the job in a caretaker role until a taoiseach is formally elected.
His nomination for taoiseach has been supported by former coalition partner, the Labour Party, as well as his own Fine Gael party.
The first item on the agenda was the election of the speaker.The first item on the agenda was the election of the speaker.
Mr Ó Fearghaíl was the only candidate left after Fine Gael's Andrew Doyle and Bernard Durkan, Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and independent left-wing TD Maureen O'Sullivan were eliminated over four counts.Mr Ó Fearghaíl was the only candidate left after Fine Gael's Andrew Doyle and Bernard Durkan, Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and independent left-wing TD Maureen O'Sullivan were eliminated over four counts.
Mr Ó Fearghaíl said he looked forward to working with everyone in the house to ensure a better future for the people of the country.Mr Ó Fearghaíl said he looked forward to working with everyone in the house to ensure a better future for the people of the country.
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.
Each of those nominated gave speeches to the Dáil on why they think they should become speaker and TDs then voted in a secret ballot.Each of those nominated gave speeches to the Dáil on why they think they should become speaker and TDs then voted in a secret ballot.
The 158 TDs are now getting 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.
When Mr Kenny visits US President Barack Obama in Washington as part of the St Patrick's Day festivities, it is likely he will do so as taoiseach.When Mr Kenny visits US President Barack Obama in Washington as part of the St Patrick's Day festivities, it is likely he will do so as taoiseach.
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.