Thirty-Third Dáil to Convene Today

The 33rd Dáil will convene later today some 11 days after the new political landscape became clear.

There are a number of procedures on the agenda which will begin at noon with the Clerk of Dáil Eireann Peter Finnegan reading out the Proclamation.

The 160 TDs will gather in Leinster House to hear the names of all the members elected for each constituency.

With the political parties setting out their stalls in an attempt to form a government, the Dáil will elect the Ceann Comhairle.

Two candidates have been confirmed as contenders for the role of Ceann Comhairle after the deadline closed on Tuesday.

Sean Ó Fearghaíl and Denis Naughten have both put themselves forward.

Both candidates will be allowed to speak for five minutes which is followed by a secret ballot.

This will take place under the supervision and direction of the Clerk.

Once selected by secret ballot, the Ceann Comhairle is formally elected by an open vote in the Dáil.

Ballot papers will be given to TDs with the secret ballot taking place in the voting lobbies in specially constructed booths

The first job of the new Ceann Comhairle will be to seek nominations for the position of Taoiseach.

The Ceann Comhairle will ask a member of the largest party in the Dáil to nominate their party leader for the position of Taoiseach.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar are set to be nominated for the position of Taoiseach.

However, a Taoiseach is not expected to be elected as there is no party with a majority.