After four votes no one has been elected Taoiseach at the first sitting of the new Dáil.
Leo Varadkar, Micheál Martin, Mary Lou McDonald and Eamon Ryan all lost votes this evening.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald got the most votes with 45 thanks to support from Solidarity People Before Profit and Independents.
Mary Lou McDonald loses vote to become Taoiseach, but gets the most votes.
Tá 45
Níl 84
Abstain 29
The 5 Sol/PBP TDs vote with Sinn Féin as well as Catherine Connolly, Joan Collins and Thomas Pringle— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) February 20, 2020
Leo Varadkar will resign tonight but will remain as Taoiseach until a new government is elected.
He travels to Brussels this evening to represent Ireland at EU budget discussions.
Mr Varadkar used a closing statement to congratulate all TDs elected to the House.
He added: "Immediately after today's sitting is concluded, I will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin to inform the President of my resignation from this office and that of the Government.
"In accordance with Article 28.11 of the Constitution Bunreacht na hÉireann the Government will, and I quote, continue to carry out its duties until a new government has been appointed.
"I will likewise continue as Taoiseach until the election of that new government."
"We've many precedents for what happens next - and I want to reassure the Irish people that we have a Government and it will continue to work for you and your interests".
Leo Varadkar TD makes a closing statement in the #Dáil Chamber following the votes for Nomination of Taoiseach #seeforyourself https://t.co/lEqB3DaKmx pic.twitter.com/Czk7SUYSRh
— Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) February 20, 2020
