Members of the 30th Dáil and Ruairi Quinn (Lab). Following a vote, John O'Donoghue was elected to this position. The position of Taoiseach was contested by Bertie Ahern (FF) and Enda Kenny (FG). Following a vote Bertie Ahern was elected to this position, making it his third consecutive term in office. On 7 May 2008, Brian Cowen was elected Taoiseach in place of Ahern, who had resigned. Séamus Kirk was elected Ceann Comhairle on 13 October 2009 following the resignation of O'Donoghue. Government coalition parties are denoted by "●". This is a graphical comparison of party strengths in the 30th Dáil from January 2011, shortly
Taoiseach refers to the system of tanistry, the Gaelic system of succession whereby a leader would appoint an heir apparent while still living. In Scottish Gaelic, "tòiseach" translates as clan chief and both words originally had similar meanings in the Gaelic languages of Scotland and Ireland. The related Welsh language word "tywysog" (current meaning: "prince") has a similar origin and meaning. It is hypothesized that both derive ultimately from the proto-Celtic *"towissākos" "chieftain, leader". The plural of "taoiseach" is "taoisigh" (). Although the Irish form "An Taoiseach" is sometimes used in English instead of "the Taoiseach", the English version of the