The election of taoiseach (Irish prime minister) has been delayed after the Dáil (lower house of Irish parliament) was suspended amid chaotic scenes in the chamber. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the delay has been "premeditated, coordinated and a choreographed" position by the opposition and in particular Sinn Féin.

Micheál Martin, who was poised to be elected as Ireland's new Taoiseach today, slammed the chaotic Dáil proceedings as a "subversion of the Irish Constitution."

The election of a new taoiseach has been delayed after a bitter row in the Dáil (Irish parliament) forcing the suspension of proceedings. The Irish parliament returned to nominate Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin as the new taoiseach (prime minister) before he is formally appointed to the office by President Michael D Higgins.