Dáil meeting for first time since Irish elections

Politicians in the Republic of Ireland are meeting for the first time since the general election.

Voting to elect the 34th Dáil (lower house of Irish parliament) took place on 29 November, with Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and Fine Gael winning the most seats.

Fianna Fáil announced that they were backing their leader's endorsement of the candidacy of Independent TD (MP) Verona Murphy for Ceann Comhairle (speaker) on Tuesday.

The Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) Micheál Martin backed her for the position over party candidate and outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has also recommended the party's TDs support Murphy for the position, Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are in negotiations with the Regional Independent group to become the third leg of the next government.

The group asked both parties to back the nomination of Murphy.

Fianna Fáil's Ó Fearghaíl told RTÉ that the role should not form part of government formation negotiations.

Speaking on RTÉ's Radio 1, Ó Fearghaíl said Martin told him that he saw the election of Murphy as being critical to the formation of a stable government.

"I am not angry, but I am deeply disappointed," Ó Fearghaíl said on Tuesday.

Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness also said he was going to run to become the new Ceann Comhairle on Wednesday.

In her nomination speech independent TD Verona Murphy said politics is "the last blood sport".

"Chambers such as these are the life blood of a democracy," she said.

"We make known fears and concerns of constituents, communicate on their behalf and make known the needs of the people."

She said every member is equal, party or none.

"If elected I will uphold these simply principles," she said.

"Large numbers of people feel alienated in the electorate, removed from everyday life.

"It is incumbent on all of us to change that."

John McGuinness from Fianna Fáil said in his nomination statement that he has great respect for the office.

"I know there are two sets of opinions here, parties can nominate and suggest to members how to vote and control the outcome," he said.

"I have a different view.

"You achieve best by cooperating with members to achieve an end. Whatever that end may be."

He said in his role as chair of the Public Accounts committee he has seen resolution in tough controversies involving sexual and physical abuse.

"It was achieved by members working together to achieve what was best for the state and the individuals concerned."

Former Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghaile who has gone for the nomination again, said he has immense pride over serving as speaker.

He said he worked closely with members of all sides and achieved a lot in his time.

"The work we have done shows when we work together we can and we will succeed," he said.

He added many people asked him to run for the role again for a third time to provide stability to the government.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh from Sinn Féin said in his nomination speech that there are key skills for the person who will take the seat of Ceann Comhairle and one of which should be an ability to speak as gaelige.

"The most senior officer should be proficient in that language," he said.

"The Ceann Comhairle must be an impartial chair and come together in the name of all the people.

"There are people in this room diametrically opposed to what I believe in, but we have worked together on opposite sides in committees or delegations. We are still friends and I have cheekily reached out to the opposite benches to ask for a vote."

On Wednesday morning, Simon Harris formally tendered his resignation to the Irish President as Irish premier, although he will stay on in the role until a new Taoiseach is appointed.

Proceedings in the Dáil got under way at about 10:30 local time.

The Clerk of the Dáil, Peter Finnegan, read out the names of all 174 TDs (members of the Irish parliament).

TDs will elect a Ceann Comhairle by secret ballot.

The election will be followed by nominations opening for the role of taoiseach, although it is not expected that anyone will be elected today as talks to form a new government have not been concluded.

If the role isn't filled, the Dáil will be suspended and a date set in the new year for members to reconvene.