TDs have been arriving at Leinster House for the first day of the 33rd Dáil - with plenty of lively scenes as both veteran politicians and newcomers made their entrances at Leinster House.
Newly-elected Limerick County TD Richard O’Donoghue arrived in style - saying the vintage car he drove in was used in the convoy for JKF when he was in Ireland:
Independent Richard O’Donoghue arriving for his first day in the Dail in style pic.twitter.com/Y9LUGz0yeY
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) February 20, 2020
There were also some musical scenes on Kildare Street thanks to Kerry's Danny Healy Rae and his family:
Danny Healy Rae and family causing a stir on Kildare Street! pic.twitter.com/cKCxA11t4q
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) February 20, 2020
Sinn Féin TDs arrived at Leinster House together, led through the gates by leader Mary Lou McDonald.
The party will be the second-largest party in the new Dáil, with 37 deputies - just one seat fewer than Fianna Fáil.
Sinn Fein arriving TDs en masse to Leinster House pic.twitter.com/ohLJPTv6dL
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) February 20, 2020
Other TDs were joined by supporters and family members as they prepared to take their seats in the Dáil chamber:
New Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan with his proud mam and supporters pic.twitter.com/SzyBrF19e1
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) February 20, 2020
TDs will be inducted from midday before a Ceann Comhairle is elected via a secret ballot.
There will then be nominations for Taoiseach - although nobody is likely to win enough votes to be elected, as government formation talks have yet to fully get underway.
The Sinn Féin leader says she hopes today's sitting will kick start further talks.
Deputy McDonald said: "I suspect I'm going to have 37 [votes] anyway - unless something very dramatic happens.
"Beyond that, we'll just have to wait and see how people cast their vote.
"I think there's general agreement that today is not going to be the conclusive day... but I certainly hope that it can be the first step in a process that won't be too long and drawn out, to arrive at a government, policy and change."
