THE IRISH parliament failed to nominate a new Prime Minister (or Taoiseach) yesterday, 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 yesterday’s proceedings without a new Irish premier.