Enda Kenny has been re-elected as Prime Minister of Ireland after 10 weeks of deadlock that followed an inconclusive general election in February. Kenny is the first Fine Gael PM to win re-election in Irish history, though his triumph is marred by a minority administration that is propped up by independent MPs and, more crucially, by Fianna Fáil.

The party, which will remain on the opposition benches, has agreed to support the Fine Gael government for a period of two years in an unprecedented political ceasefire between the rivals. Kenny received 59 votes, with 49 against, in the 158-member parliament – by far the fewest votes ever received for a winning premier in Ireland.

Did You Know?

• Ireland is called Éire in Irish and is also known as the Republic of Ireland.
• Irish, or Irish Gaelic is the country’s first official language, however the second official language English is more commonly spoken.
• Saint Patrick’s Day is Ireland’s official national holiday. The 17th of March holiday is celebrated in Ireland and also embraced by many other countries around the world.
• In 2002 Ireland was the first country in the world to have an environmental tax for plastic shopping bags and in 2004 it was the first to introduce a public smoking ban.
• The world famous Guinness beer is from Ireland, it originated in the Dublin brewery of Arthur Guinness.