Ahern elected Taoiseach

Members of the 30th Dáil have voted Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach.

Earlier this afternoon Fianna Fáil's John O'Donoghue was elected to the position of Ceann Chomhairle. The Kerry TD was nominated by his party leader Bertie Ahern and tipped Labour's candidate Ruairi Quinn to the post.

Bertie Ahern was officially nominated for Taoiseach by his right hand man Brian Cowen while outgoing leader of the Green Party, Trevor Sargent, seconded the motion.

Fine Gael Deputy Leader Richard Bruton nominated Enda Kenny for Taoiseach, the motion was seconded by Labour leader Pat Rabbitte.

Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin told the Dáil that his party would not support the nominations of Bertie Ahern or Enda Kenny.

The Progressive Democrat Leader, Mary Harney, supported the nomination of Bertie Ahern as did Kerry South Independent TD, Jackie Healy Rae who said he had a "wonderful relationship" with Mr Ahern since he was first elected in 1997.

Jackie Healy Rae offers his "special" congratulations to fellow Kerry TD John O'Donoghue on his election to position of Ceann Comhairle.

FG's Lucinda Creighton laments her party's absence from Government given they were "the only party to make significant gains" in this year's elections.

As Bertie Ahern is elected Taoiseach for an historic third term he acknowledges the "important responsibility" that the honour places on him.

Caoimhín O Caoláin of Sinn Féin outlines the reasons his party opposed the nomination of Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach.