The Dáil is set to reopen with Micheál Martin returning as taoiseach

Ireland’s parliament will resume on Wednesday, with Fianna Fáil leader Michael Martin returning as Taoiseach for a second term.

The 35th Dáil (Parliament of Ireland) will see Mr Martin elected taoiseach (prime minister), replacing Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, who will return to the post of tánaiste (deputy prime minister).

Fianna Fáil – the largest party – formed a government with Fine Gael and a number of independent regional MPs (TDs) after Elections in November.

Sinn Fein remains the largest opposition party with 39 seats. Fianna Fáil won 48 seats and Fine Gael came third with 38 seats.

Mr Martin and Mr Harris confirmed the new draft program for the government earlier this month.

The deal paved the way for the next government and was successfully supported by both parties in recent days.

Speaking after his party approved the program for government, Mr Martin said there was a “firm commitment” on behalf of his party to the interests of the Irish people.

“I can assure you that we will do our best to work selflessly on behalf of the people of Ireland to deliver this program for government to make life better for people and to improve the quality of life as we navigate very turbulent global waters,” said he

Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have ruled out Sinn Féin as a coalition partner, which party leader Mary Lou McDonald has named “bad practice”.

This is the first time the new government has met since the November election, and government talks took about five weeks.

The new Dáil has already become a source of controversy after a number of independent MP candidates, including Michael Lowry, Danny Healy-Rae, Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole, who support the government, want to sit and speak from the opposition benches.

New Sian Cumhairle (speaker) – also a regional independent – Verona Murphy, who is the first woman in the post, told TDs she would consider submissions opposing the plan but allowed the group to “temporarily” take their original seats. .

All other opposition groups oppose the idea, calling it a presence of both camps and a time-suck for those who want to scrutinize the government.

As part of his return to the Dáil on Wednesday, Mr Martin will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin at around 1pm local time to meet Irish President Michael Higgins in a state reception.

The President will then sign the warrant of appointment and give the seal of the Taoiseach and the seal of the Government to Mr Harris.

Later, at approximately 20.00, the appointment of members of the government will begin.

The President will sign the Cabinet Appointment Warrant and the Attorney General Appointment Warrant, each of which will be signed by the Taoiseach.

The President then presents each minister in turn with their seals of office.