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 taoiseach (Irish prime minister) has been delayed after the Dáil (lower house of Irish parliament) was suspended amid chaotic scenes in the chamber. Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said the disruption was utterly farcical describing it as an effort to "obstruct and shout down,

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