'New leadership is required now'

Joan Burton has said she will make a decision on her leadership of the Labour Party after the government is formed.

It comes after several current and former Labour TDs called for a new leader - as the party met this afternoon for its first analysis following its poor election performance.

Labour lost 26 seats in the election and now has seven TDs.

Some have publicly called for her to go, with others saying the party shouldn't rush into a decision.

Former TD Ciaran Lynch said however that she needs to step aside sooner rather than later.

"I believe that the decision for Joan is one that must be brought to a head.

"I believe that it is time to rebuild and that a new leadership is required now.

"I think that needs to happen as soon as possible."