Ireland's Parliament will resume on Wednesday with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin returning as Prime Minister for a second time.
The 35th Irish Parliament will see Mr Martin elected Prime Minister, replacing Fine Gael leader Simon Harris who will return as Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister).
Fianna Fail – the largest party – formed a government with Fine Gael and a group of independent regional MPs (TDs) after… November elections.
Sinn Féin remains the largest opposition party after winning 39 seats. Fianna Fáil gained 48 seats while Fine Gael came third with 38 seats.
Mr Martin and Mr Harris confirmed the Government's draft of the new programme Earlier this month.
The deal paved the way for the next government and was successfully approved by both parties in recent days.
Speaking after his party approved the government's programme, Martin said there was a “strong commitment” by his party to the interests of the Irish people.
“I can assure you that we will spare no effort in working selflessly on behalf of the people of Ireland to deliver this program for government, to make things better for people and improve the quality of life as we navigate very turbulent global waters.” He said.
Both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have ruled out Sinn Féin as a coalition partner, which party leader Mary Lou McDonald has called for. “bad practice”.
This is the first time the new government has met after the November elections, with government negotiations taking about five weeks.
The new Dáil has already been a source of controversy after a number of independents including Michael Lowry, Danny Healy-Rae, Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole, who support the government, wanted to sit and speak from the opposition benches.
New Ceann Comhairle – also a regional independent – Verona Murphy, the first woman to hold the role, told the TDs she would consider applications opposing the plan, but allowed the group to hold their original seats “temporarily” for the time being.
All other opposition groups oppose the idea, describing it as gaining a foothold in both camps and taking time away from those who want to scrutinize the government.
As part of the Dáil's return on Wednesday, Mr Martin will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin at around 1:00 p.m. local time to meet Irish President Michael D Higgins in the State Reception Room.
The President will then sign the order of appointment and deliver the Seal of the Council and Seal of the Government to Mr Harris.
Later, around 20:00, the process of appointing government members will begin.
The President signs the order appointing members of the government and the order appointing the Attorney General, and both are signed with approval by the Prime Minister.
The President will then present each individual minister with his or her seal of office.
