LABOUR PAINS

ENDA KENNY played his Cabinet choices safe but Eamon Gilmore got off to a rocky start in government after at least one major row over his ministerial selections.

Fine Gael leader Mr Kenny was elected the 12th Taoiseach just before 2pm by an overwhelming vote of 117 to 27 after the 31st Dáil had convened for the first time.

After receiving his seal of office from the President, he returned to the Dáil around 5.25pm to name his Cabinet, which saw Fine Gael receive 10 positions and Labour five.