The 34th Dáil met for the first time this year today - but a tumultuous day ensued.

The new TDs were met by protesters calling on the incoming Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill.

The proposed bill would ban trade with Israeli firms operating in occupied Palestinian territory.

The incoming Taoiseach Micheál Martin said earlier this week that the bill would be replaced by new legislation.

Pro-Palestine protestors demand the new Government enact the Occupied Territories Bill, outside Leinster House this morning. Photograph: Alan Rowlette / © RollingNews.ie

Protesters calling on the Government to ban greyhound racing also gathered outside Leinster House.

Protestors demand the new Government ban Greyhound racing, outside Leinster House this morning. Photograph: Alan Rowlette / © RollingNews.ie

TDs began arriving at Leinster House this morning amid a debate surrounding opposition speaking time for members of the Regional Independents Group who do not have ministerial positions.

Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Social Democrats and People Before Profit-Solidarity have all opposed the move.

The incoming Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture Michael Healy-Rae said that opposition parties are “trying to make a big massive mountain out of a molehill”.

22/01/2025 Dublin, Ireland. Photo shows Regional Independent Group TD Michael Healy-Rae outside Leinster House this morning. Alan Rowlette / © RollingNews.ie

Mr Healy-Rae's brother Danny is among the TDs seeking opposition resources, despite supporting the incoming Government.

hoto shows Regional Independent Group TDs Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Healy-Rae outside Leinster House this morning. Photograph: Alan Rowlette / © RollingNews.ie

Michael Lowry, Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole are the remaining Regional Independents who will not receive a ministry.

Independent TD Michael Lowry outside Leinster House, Dublin.

Independent TD Barry Heneghan speaks to the media outside Leinster House, Dublin.

While Micheál Martin has the backing of the new coalition, Sinn Féin has nominated party leader Mary Lou McDonald for the office of Taoiseach.

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald arrives at Leinster House, Dublin, where The Dail is set to resume and vote on the nomination of Micheal Martin as Taoiseach. Picture date: Wednesday January 22, 2025.

People Before Profit-Solidarity TDs Ruth Coppinger and Paul Murphy have been vocal in their criticism of the Government's coalition with the Regional Independents Group.

Ruth Coppinger and Paul Murphy speak to the media outside Leinster House, Dublin.

The TDs then met in the Dáil chamber to elect a new Taoiseach.

Outgoing Taoiseach Simon Harris with Micheál Martin in Leinster House.

However, a row broke out over adjourning the Dáil for two weeks after today, leading Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy to suspend the Dáil for 15 minutes.

'This is a test of you, Ceann Comhairle, and so far, you are failing.'

Dáil descends into chaos amid shouting match pic.twitter.com/KP8jpLPtOd

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) January 22, 2025

A second row - this time over the Regional Independent TDs getting access to opposition speaking time - erupted and the Dáil was suspended once again.

'When are we getting the legal advice, Ceann Comhairle?'

The Dáil was suspended for the second time today pic.twitter.com/EWS4wGkQRS

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) January 22, 2025

The Dáil was then suspended for 45 minutes for a third time.

Finally, Deputy Murphy suspended the Dáil until tomorrow morning at 9am - also pushing out the election of a Taoiseach.

The Dáil has been suspended yet again - delaying the election of a Taoiseach pic.twitter.com/3d0Qs04mfZ

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) January 22, 2025

Simon Harris, Micheál Martin and Hildegarde Naughton spoke outside Government buildings to deliver a statement on today's proceedings.

Micheál Martin, Simon Harris and Hildegarde Naughton speak to media outside Government Buildings. 22/01/2025 Photograph: Alan Rowlette / © RollingNews.ie

The leaders of the opposition parties spoke as a united front outsider Government buildings, saying they will write to the Ceann Comhairle and the leaders of the Government seeking a meeting to reach a solution to the Dáil impasse.

Pictured (l to r) Cian O'Callaghan (Soc Dems), Michael Collins (Independent Ireland), Ivana Bacik (Labour), Mary Lou McDonald, Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP) speak to media outside Leinster House. 22/01/2025 Photograph: Leon Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

The Dáil is expected to resume tomorrow morning at 9am.

Reporting by Sarah McKenna Barry and Molly Cantwell.

Feature image is split image of Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy (L) and Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy (R).