Ó Fearghal (FF) to be new Ceann Comhairle as Ó Caoláin (SF) misses out

Fianna Fáil's Seán Ó Fearghail has been selected as the Ceann Comhairle of the 32nd Dáil following a secret ballot of 158 TDs; while Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who was also in the running, has missed out. 

Deputy Ó Fearghail, a Kildare South TD, was the only remaining candidate left after Fine Gael's Andrew Doyle and Bernard Durkan, Independent Maureen O'Sullivan and Ó Caoláin were eliminated over five counts.

The quota was 79 votes with only Indepedent TD Michael Lowry abstaining from the vote.

The result will be announced when the Dáil resumes at 2.30pm.

Nominations will then be sought for Taoiseach with no-one expected to be elected today.

Fine Gael will nominate Enda Kenny, Fianna Fáil will propose Micheál Martin, Sinn Féin is to nominate Gerry Adams, and the Anti-Austerity-Alliance-People Before Profit will nominate Richard Boyd Barrett.

It is expected that the Dáil will be adjourned to a later date which will allow for further negotiations on the formation of a government.

Minister Heather Humphreys, Cavan-Monaghan TD, said that the onus is on Fine Gael to form the next government and  'get on with the business of running the country'.

She said the party would talk to Fianna Fáil about possible coalition in the best interests of the country.

Ms Humphreys said that 'at the end of the day we are all going to have to come together and do what's right' in the interests of the country.