Source: CNN
“Micheal Martin became Ireland’s taoiseach (prime minister) for the second time in his political career on Thursday, a day later than planned. The Irish parliament descended into uproar on Wednesday, its first day back in session after weeks of political horse-trading and coalition-building, following the country’s general election in November. Wednesday’s order of business was scheduled to start with the vote to elect a new taoiseach but this formality was delayed repeatedly. It was then ultimately abandoned for the day, as opposition parties took to their feet in loud protest over the granting of extended speaking rights to independent parliamentarians who support the incoming government. Attempts to resolve the dispute continued into Thursday morning when the government acknowledged that there was ‘ambiguity’ in speaking rights and an agreement was reached that government-supporting independents cannot for now retain extended speaking rights from the opposition benches.” (01/23/25)