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."

Two impromptu stand-up press conferences were held on either side of Leinster House around teatime. At the gates of Government Buildings, Simon Harris and Micheál Martin vented about the events of the day, with Harris portraying it as a “political stunt on speed” with Martin going further and claiming it was a “subversion” of the Constitution.

Simon Harris has described Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald’s behaviour in the Dáil as “stunt politics” and “disgraceful”.

The Taoiseach was speaking as members of his Fine Gael party met in Dublin to begin the process of ratifying the draft programme for government

Storm Lowry landed early in Dáil Éireann. And there was a complete pandemonium. The Government knew it was coming but decided it was unimportant. Bad call. It was a miracle the roof stayed on with all the roaring. There were rolling ructions all day in the chamber. Breakaway groups of Opposition TDs formed angry huddles on the chamber floor.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will not become Taoiseach until Thursday after the Dáil was suspended for the day following a row over speaking rights. Follow the action from Leinster House below.

Attempts to nominate a future taoiseach failed on Wednesday after a series of Dáil disruptions over opposition speaking time.

Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan is being tipped for a dramatic appointment as justice minister when cabinet roles are announced today.

The Dáil is to reconvene a day after a chaotic row over how speaking time should be allocated to government-affiliated independents. A meeting of opposition party leaders is expected to be held early on Thursday morning in order to agree a resolution before the Dáil resumes.

Over 240,000 ESB Network customers were still without power on Monday morning, with over 100,000 told they may not have electricity for another week.

A row in the Dáil has been labelled a “subversion of the Irish Constitution” by would-be Irish taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Attempts to nominate a future taoiseach failed on Wednesday after a series of Dáil disruptions over opposition speaking time.