The Irish parliament has failed to nominate a new taoiseach, following a row on speaking time.Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin had been poised to become the next taoiseach after agreeing a Programme for Government with the Fine Gael party and a selection of independents.However, a dispute over whether some of those independents would be allocated opposition speaking time ended Wednesday's proceedings without a new Irish premier.

The Irish parliament has failed to nominate a new taoiseach, following a row on speaking time.Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin had been poised to become the next taoiseach after agreeing a Programme for Government with the Fine Gael party and a selection of independents.However, a dispute over whether some of those independents would be allocated opposition speaking time ended Wednesday's proceedings without a new Irish premier.