Dáil Éireann

Wellwishing all around for new Ceann Comhairle as the two Gentlemen of Verona stand aside on

Amid criticism of Ireland’s domestic politics making it hard for new ideas to break through, there’s something to be said for ‘same old, same old’

Verona Murphy elected Ceann Comhairle on a day mostly about symbolism and ceremony

Simon Harris condemns Israel's 'amoral onslaught' as new TDs gather for first time

Outspoken Independent TD was deselected by Fine Gael as a candidate for 2020 general election following comments about asylum seekers

The election of a ceann comhairle will take the place today with TD Verona Murphy the favourite for the role

Micheál Martin also calls on Fianna Fáil TDs to vote for Wexford TD but in 2020 described her remarks on asylum seekers ‘quite dangerous’

Independent TD Verona Murphy in pole position for role as TDs gather in Leinster House for first sitting in almost six weeks

Wexford Independent TD now favourite - but presence of sitting chair Ó Fearghaíl could complicate secret ballot

Elections of ceann comhairle and leas ceann comhairle are the only secret ballots conducted among this 174-strong constituency

Labour Party representatives to meet Simon Harris and Fine Gael negotiating team, and Ivana Bacik to meet Micheál Martin

Labour keen to let process ‘play out’, sources say

Your essential end-of-week politics catch up: Outside of coalition talks, other big story of the week was undoubtedly Eoin Hayes’s suspension from Social Democrats

There is a strong expectation that Labour leader Ivana Bacik will recommend that the party does not proceed with negotiations about joining a coalition government

Following initial engagement with other political parties, there had been speculation that the newly-enlarged party would leave government formation talks

Each party has its own distinct challenge facing into the post-election period. Sinn Féin’s is about how to transform itself from government-in-waiting to radical opposition

Fianna Fáil particularly keen on enticing Labour into a coalition rather than Independents, while main two negotiating parties have differing views on issues including VAT reform, new departments and overhaul of the Department of Public Expenditure

Minister for Finance says it will likely be at least January before a new coalition is put together

Fianna Fáil’s Jim O’Callaghan says his party and Fine Gael can form a stable government with support of ‘reliable’ Independents

Deputy for Cavan-Monaghan from 1987 to 2002 was a regular contributor to Dáil debates