Irish lawmakers have voted to make veteran politician Micheál Martin prime minister for a second time, leading a coalition government.

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The Irish parliament has been suspended twice amid a row over speaking time rights afforded to independent politicians who were part of a negotiating team in the Government formation talks.

Here was Fianna Fáil back again as the largest party in government after looking to be on the verge of oblivion 15 years ago.

Plus: Defence Forces spending on Pilates sounds like a bit of a stretch, Michael McGrath discusses European master plan in ...