Verona Murphy elected first female Ceann Comhairle

The Independent TD was elected Ceann Comhairle as the 34th Dáil met for the first time on Wednesday.

Ms Murphy was elected as all 174 TDs gathered and cast their vote this morning.

She was elected on the third count of the secret ballot vote.

Virgin Media's Political Correspondent, Gavin Reilly, reported that one Dáil member managed to spoil their vote.

Outgoing Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó’Fearghaíl, as well as Fianna Fáil’s John McGuinness, and Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó’Snodaigh, were also vying against the Wexford TD for the position.

Ms Murphy is the very first female Ceann Comhairle and will chair all meetings and business throughout the next Dáil term.

Additionally, this morning Simon Harris visited Áras an Uachtaráin to formally resign as Taoiseach.

The Fine Gael leader resigned before today's first Dáil sitting. 

Government formation talks are still ongoing, however, Ms Murphy's election '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.

As the first order of business today, the names of all 174 TD's were read into the Dáil record.