Leo Varadkar will continue as taoiseach in a caretaker capacity, despite tendering his resignation this week.
The Fine Gael leader resigned as taoiseach [Irish prime minister] after the Dail Eireann reconvened this week for the first time following the Republic of Ireland general election, which ended in deadlock.
After Fianna Fail's Seán Ó Fearghaíl was re-elected as speaker, his first order of business was to oversee nominations for the next taoiseach.
There were four nominations for the post, including Varadkar, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.
With a majority of 80 needed in the 160-seat chamber to be elected taoiseach, Varadkar fell well short, receiving the support of 36 MPs.
McDonald earned the most support with 45 MPs backing her, while Fianna Fail leader Martin received 41 nominations. Ryan fared the worst of the four nominees with just 12 votes.
Varadkar tendered his resignation in the aftermath of the vote, but he and the previous government will remain in place until a new administration can be formed.
Negotiations to form the next Irish government are ongoing with the Dail adjourned for two weeks.
Varadkar said: “The responsibility is now on all of us to make sure we provide good government and indeed good opposition.”
