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| Irish parliament set for stalemate in attempt to form new government | Irish parliament set for stalemate in attempt to form new government |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| All candidates for taoiseach are expected to fall short of the 80 seats needed in the Dáil Éireann | All candidates for taoiseach are expected to fall short of the 80 seats needed in the Dáil Éireann |
| The Irish parliament is headed for deadlock over a new taoiseach after meeting for the first time since the 8 February election. | The Irish parliament is headed for deadlock over a new taoiseach after meeting for the first time since the 8 February election. |
| No nominee was expected to win a majority in votes in Dáil Éireann on Thursday evening, turning Leo Varadkar, the outgoing taoiseach, into a caretaker leader. | No nominee was expected to win a majority in votes in Dáil Éireann on Thursday evening, turning Leo Varadkar, the outgoing taoiseach, into a caretaker leader. |
| Political parties prepared for the 33rd dáil, just a day-old, to be suspended until a new government can be formed, a process that could take weeks, possibly months. | Political parties prepared for the 33rd dáil, just a day-old, to be suspended until a new government can be formed, a process that could take weeks, possibly months. |
| Varadkar, the Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and the Green party leader Eamon Ryan were nominated for taoiseach by their parties but all were expected to fall far short of an 80-seat majority in the 160-seat chamber. | |
| The ritual, conducted amid pomp and ceremony, paved the way for intensified efforts to build a viable ruling coalition from Ireland’s fragmented political landscape. | The ritual, conducted amid pomp and ceremony, paved the way for intensified efforts to build a viable ruling coalition from Ireland’s fragmented political landscape. |
| Speaking before the votes Martin said he would ask Varadkar in coming days to engage in government formation talks, raising the possibility of an unprecedented coalition between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, centrist rivals that have dominated Irish politics for a century. | Speaking before the votes Martin said he would ask Varadkar in coming days to engage in government formation talks, raising the possibility of an unprecedented coalition between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, centrist rivals that have dominated Irish politics for a century. |
| Martin reiterated his “fundamental” opposition to working with Sinn Féin, citing the party’s links to the IRA during and since the Troubles. “Their structures are problematic in terms of those who control the levers of power.” | Martin reiterated his “fundamental” opposition to working with Sinn Féin, citing the party’s links to the IRA during and since the Troubles. “Their structures are problematic in terms of those who control the levers of power.” |
| He also cited Sinn Féin’s left-wing manifesto, which promised a dramatic surge in government spending. “It was something that harks back to a different era.” | He also cited Sinn Féin’s left-wing manifesto, which promised a dramatic surge in government spending. “It was something that harks back to a different era.” |
| McDonald said her party’s breakthrough in the election – it won 24% of the vote, more than any other party – showed a desire for an alternative government that would build affordable homes, cut rents and reduce the pension age. | McDonald said her party’s breakthrough in the election – it won 24% of the vote, more than any other party – showed a desire for an alternative government that would build affordable homes, cut rents and reduce the pension age. |
| “The eyes of the people are on Leinster House today … we are going in there to represent the hopes of over half a million people who voted for our party and the hundreds of thousands of others who voted for change.” | “The eyes of the people are on Leinster House today … we are going in there to represent the hopes of over half a million people who voted for our party and the hundreds of thousands of others who voted for change.” |
| In the election Fianna Fáil won 38 seats, Sinn Féin won 37, Fine Gael won 35 and the Greens won 12, with small left-wing parties and independents comprising the rest. | |
| Fianna Fáil’s slim advantage ended when one of its TDs (MPs), Seán Ó Fearghaíl, was re-elected as speaker, or Ceann Comhairle, whittling the party’s voting bloc to 37. | Fianna Fáil’s slim advantage ended when one of its TDs (MPs), Seán Ó Fearghaíl, was re-elected as speaker, or Ceann Comhairle, whittling the party’s voting bloc to 37. |
| Several left wing parties said they would support McDonald for taoiseach, underlining their preference for a left wing rainbow coalition. | Several left wing parties said they would support McDonald for taoiseach, underlining their preference for a left wing rainbow coalition. |
| However there is widespread acceptance that a stable government will require two of the three big parties. | However there is widespread acceptance that a stable government will require two of the three big parties. |
| Varadkar and Martin have both ruled out a deal with Sinn Féin. Varadkar has also said he wishes to lead Fine Gael in opposition, saying the party needs to regroup after nine years in office and a hammering from voters. | Varadkar and Martin have both ruled out a deal with Sinn Féin. Varadkar has also said he wishes to lead Fine Gael in opposition, saying the party needs to regroup after nine years in office and a hammering from voters. |
| However in nominating Varadkar for another term Bernard Durkan, a Fine Gael TD, said if necessary Varadkar would the challenge of leading a minority government. | However in nominating Varadkar for another term Bernard Durkan, a Fine Gael TD, said if necessary Varadkar would the challenge of leading a minority government. |
| During Brexit talks the taoiseach had discharged the office with “distinction, courage and conviction”, he said. “No one ever said it would be easy but it appears to be easy as a result of the skills, the determination and the leadership.” | During Brexit talks the taoiseach had discharged the office with “distinction, courage and conviction”, he said. “No one ever said it would be easy but it appears to be easy as a result of the skills, the determination and the leadership.” |
| Some newly elected politicians made colourful arrivals. The brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, independent TDs from Kerry, played traditional music on Kildare street. | Some newly elected politicians made colourful arrivals. The brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, independent TDs from Kerry, played traditional music on Kildare street. |