Mary Lou McDonald’s Taoiseach candidacy defeated in Dáil

The Dáil voted against the Sinn Fein leader today.

The nomination was defeated with 44 votes in favour, 110 votes against, and 14 abstentions.

Despite her defeat, Ms McDonald stated in the Dáil: "The election is over but our determination to deliver remains."

She repeated that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael being back in government is the 'worst' possible outcome.

Speaking in the Dáil, Micheál Martin called Ms McDonald's nomination an 'empty gesture'.

Government formation talks are still ongoing, however, the election of Verona Murphy as Ceann Comhairle earlier today ‘paves the way’ for a combination of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and regional Independents, that is according to RTÉ’s Mícheál Lehane.

The 34th Dáil gathered for the first time today following last month’s general election.

Fianna Fáil came out of the election as the most popular party, securing 48 of the 174 Dáil seats.