Leo Varadkar is set to be replaced by Micheal Martin as Irish PM as coalition deal is approved

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has replaced Fine Gael’s Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach following a historic coalition deal.

Fianna Fail won the most seats in February’s inconclusive general election and his accession to the position of Taoiseach represents the culmination of 30 years in mainstream political life.

Detailed negotiations on an agreement on shared priorities with Fine Gael and the smaller Green Party have been delayed by the coronavirus crisis. 

Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin, pictured arriving at the National Convention Centre in Dublin’s docklands today, is expected to be elected Taoiseach by the Dail following a deal between his party, Fine Gael and the Green Party

Mr Martin, pictured, is set to travel to Áras an Uachtaráin this afternoon to receive his seal of office from President Michael D Higgins 

A full sitting of all 160 public representatives elected in February is envisaged and the temporary change of venue from Leinster House is to enable social distancing.

They are expected to nominate Mr Martin for Taoiseach then he will travel to meet Irish President Michael D Higgins at Dublin Castle to receive his seal of office.

Ministers are also due to be appointed later on Saturday.

Mr Martin will take over the role of Irish premier from Leo Varadkar in an historic reconciliation of a political feud with Fine Gael dating back to the foundation of the state a century ago.

Mr Martin will take over the role of Irish premier from Leo Varadkar (pictured) in an historic reconciliation of a political feud with Fine Gael

Fine Gael are due to retrieve the Taoiseach’s role at the end of next year under the terms of the coalition agreement.

Mr Martin said Ireland is facing the fastest moving recession ever to hit the country and urgent action is required to tackle it.

The newly-elected leader said restrictions will remain in place for some time, with no certain date as to when it will return to normality.

He added that the new Government will focus on ‘helping our society and  our economy’ to recover’.

The two larger parties needed the support of the Greens to have a working majority in the Irish parliament, equating to around 80 seats, underpinning an extended period in office.

After weeks of talks, proposals on coalition were put to party memberships and results declared on Friday.

Fine Gael resoundingly endorsed them with 80 per cent in favour. Fianna Fail recorded 74 per cent.

The Greens’ support was the subject of speculation as it consulted its members but 76 per cent decided in favour.

Among the first tasks of the Irish Government will be to renew legislation enabling the non-jury Special Criminal Court to continue dealing with serious organised crime in the Republic.

The effect of Brexit and rebuilding an economy plunged by the virus into what some commentators believed will be one of the worst ever recessions will also be pressing challenges.

Sinn Fein won the popular vote in last winter’s proportional representation election through an appeal to the young and buoyed by anger at the cost of housing and flaws in the health system.

It did not run enough candidates to fully translate votes into seats and was unable to form a ‘coalition of the left’ with other parties of similar views but will now lead the opposition.

Mr Martin said to be elected to serve as Taoiseach ‘is one of the greatest honours which anyone can receive’.

He paid tribute to his wife and children, and said he is proud of his working class roots.

He said: ‘Most of all I want to thank my family and my community. Without them I could have achieved nothing. My wife Mary has been a pillar of support and a partner for me since our days in college.

‘Our children have tolerated my many absences over the years. As they have grown, studied and experienced the world they have not just supported me, they have given Mary and I the benefit of their views of the Ireland which they have grown up with.’