Dáil

Applause broke out in the public gallery and distinguished visitors' gallery, where many Palestinian dignitaries are attending the Dáil, as the Taoiseach told the Dáil that "it is a proud day for Ireland recognising the state of Palestine".

Under Irish law, once the Dáil is dissolved and the President issued a proclamation confirming it, the Clerk of the Dáil issues a writ to the returning officer in each constituency directing them to hold an election of the prescribed number of members.

PSC scanners have been fitted to doors of Dáil and Seanad chamber, the Dáil bar and canteen.

Dáil Éireann main Members of the Dáil are directly elected at least once in every five years under the single transferable vote form of proportional representation from multi-seat constituencies.

If the Taoiseach loses the support of a majority in Dáil Éireann, he/she is not automatically removed from office but, rather, is compelled to either resign or persuade the President to dissolve the Dáil.

The Government must enjoy the confidence of Dáil Éireann and, in the event that they cease to enjoy the support of the lower house, the Taoiseach must either resign or request the President to dissolve the Dáil, in which case a general election follows.

The Taoiseach is appointed upon the nomination of the Dáil, and the President is required to appoint whomever the Dáil designates without the right to decline appointment.

About 200 protesters held a rally outside Leinster House as the Dáil resumed following the summer recess, leading to several arrests.

Deputy Healy-Rae’s entry to the Dáil’s members’ register of interests lists his other occupations as postmaster, farmer, service station owner and owner of rental properties.

In a rare occurrence in the Dáil, Disabilities Minister Anne Rabbitte received applause from the opposition after she committed to reimburse the cost of private consultations.

In a statement released this afternoon Wexford Independent TD Verona Murphy says she cannot support the government motion today and will be voting no ahead of a Dáil vote on the eviction ban.

It is up to them drive the message up to the Dáil that farmers are not happy on the ground and need support.

Meanwhile, Labour TD Ged Nash joined the calls for Mr Donohoe to come before the Dáil and offer a detailed explanation of the matter.

Mr O’Brien will also seek approval for the legal drafting of the new Dáil Constituencies, giving effect to the boundary review by the new Electoral Commission.

Ms Bacik, who has tabled a no-confidence vote in the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Green Party coalition in the Dáil, began her address with the housing crisis.

Over 500 workers about to be made redundant by Meta, owners of Facebook, are having to watch Government ministers “kite-flying” on the Budget when little has been done to strengthen employee rights, Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik told the Dáil.

RICHARD O’Donoghue of the Rural Independents group and Sinn Féin’s Maurice Quinlivan were the only Limerick TDs to vote against the lifting of the eviction ban in the Dáil this week.

Sipo determined in May that Mr English had complied with the law as he had included the property on his annual Dáil register of interests declaration, and dismissed the complaint made against the TD by People Before Profit deputy Paul Murphy.

Talks on an agreed joint motion in the Dáil on Wednesday responding to violence in Israel and Gaza failed as Government and opposition TDs failed to agree to wording.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Dáil on Wednesday that the State’s ability to accommodate and provide for refugees and those seeking international protection was “very much” at its limit currently.