Michael Martin has been elected as the new Irish prime minister at a
special meeting of the Irish parliament in Dublin.
The fifty-nine-year-old Cork native has been the leader of the Fianna
Fáil party since 2011.

He will lead a three-party coalition consisting of Fianna Fáil, Fine
Gael and the Green Party.
According to the report, it is the first time in history that former
Civil War rivals Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have governed together.
Mr Martin is expected to lead the country until December 2021 before
handing back over to Leo Varadkar, the Fine Gael leader.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Martin said that to be elected to serve
as taoiseach was one of the greatest honours which anyone can receive.
He was elected by the Dáil, the Irish parliament in a special sitting
yesterday, which took place at the Convention Centre in Dublin, rather
than its traditional home at Leinster House, due to COVID-19 social
distancing rule.

A majority of ninety-three members of the Dáil voted in favour of him
taking the role, while sixty-three members voted against him.
Mr Martin was later presented with his seal of office by Irish
President Michael D Higgins at the president’s official residence.
Meanwhile, travel companies say holiday bookings have exploded after
the government announced current restrictions will be eased.
Ministers said from sixth July, blanket restrictions on non-essential
overseas travel will be relaxed in the United Kingdom.
Holidaymakers will be allowed to travel to certain European countries
without having to spend fourteenth days in quarantine upon their
return.

Andrew Flintham, managing director of TUI United Kingdom and Ireland
said the list of travel corridors with the UK is due to be published
next week and is expected to include Spain, France, Greece, Italy, the
Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Turkey, Germany and Norway but not
Portugal or Sweden.

According to the report, under the new rules, a traffic light system
will be introduced with countries classified as green, amber or red
depending on the prevalence of coronavirus, the UK is likely to
discuss arrangements with countries over the coming days.
The government said it would not hesitate to put on the brakes if the
situation changes.

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