Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has been elected Taoiseach by the Dáil.
93 TDs voted in favour of his appointment – all of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens as well as 9 independent TDs.
It is the first time in history that former Civil War rivals Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have governed together.
Mr Martin is expected to lead the country until December 2021 before handing back over to Leo Varadkar, the Fine Gael leader.
Micheál Martin has also received his seal from President Higgins in a short ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin.
In an emotional Dáil speech, the 59-year-old Cork native said he would not have achieved anything without his family.
Micheál Martin said, “There is no question what our most urgent work is. We are meeting away from our permanent chamber because of a historic pandemic which has struck Ireland and the rest of the world.”
“To be elected to serve as Taoiseach of a free republic is one of the greatest honours which anyone can receive,” said the Fianna Fáil leader.
Clearing out the office tonight. This portrait has hung proudly over the fireplace for 9 years. Beidh sé ar ais pic.twitter.com/f822EciGKR
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) June 26, 2020
