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Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin elected as Taoiseach for the second time

The Fianna Fáil leader will select his new Cabinet later today.

MICHEÁL MARTIN HAS been elected as Taoiseach by members of the Dáil. 

He was elected to the top job by 95 votes to 76. 

It’s been a chaotic 24 hours in Irish politics, with the Fianna Fáil leader due to be elected yesterday.

There were dramatic scenes in the Dáil yesterday after a row erupted following a plan to allow Independent TDs, who participated in government formation negotiations, but who have not been given junior ministerial positions, to get speaking time that is allocated to the opposition.

Members of the opposition furiously rejected this proposal, resulting in the Dáil being suspended a number of times before being adjourned until today. 

In a bid to ensure a more productive day, the Ceann Comhairle, party leaders and the Dáil business committee agreed a temporary solution to break the deadlock and allow the vote for the next Taoiseach to proceed.  

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Addressing the Dáil, he said: 

“It is a sad development in many parliaments in the world that they have become more angry and divisive.  They have become forums dominated by the inflated rhetoric of demonstrations rather than a place where different groups can argue in good faith and respectfully disagree.

“On the day where we carry out our most important constitutional duty as representatives of the people, we should take a moment to remember and respect those things which we share.

“It is a profound honour to be nominated to serve as head of the government in a free, democratic and diverse republic. Today I am deeply conscious of the democratic tradition which our country has developed over more than a century.

“We should never take for granted the freedoms and opportunities secured for us by the generations who sat here before us, and by the men and women who fought and campaigned for the establishment of Dáil Éireann. Our democracy has remained strong through some of the gravest challenges of a turbulent century.

“We have continued to have free debate and free elections. We have never wavered in our commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes.”

Martin also thanked his family, friends and colleagues who he said have helped him over the years. Speaking about his children Micheál Aodh, Aoibhe and Cillian, he said they “have moved from being observers, to being pillars for me”.

“They are unflinching in their advice and constant in their support. I have been blessed to have a partner in Mary who has done so much more than just keep me rooted. 

No position I have held, and nothing I have achieved would have been possible without her. I would also like to acknowledge my wider family and especially my late parents, Paddy and Lana.

“Yesterday was the anniversary of the passing of my father.  This week every year I remember all he did for us and the values which he lived by every day,” he said. 

Martin is now making his way to Áras an Uachtaráin where he will be formally appointed Taoiseach by President Micheal D Higgins. 

After this, Martin will then return to Government Buildings and begin summoning his new Cabinet members to his office to tell them what ministry they will be getting. 

The Dáil will resume later this evening to approve the new Cabinet members. 

The new ministers will then travel to the State Reception Room in Áras an Uachtaráin where the president will then present each minister with their Seal of Office.

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