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
Order of precedence in the Republic of Ireland the Dáil chamber becomes their "de facto" order of precedence. In Dáil standing orders, the only members (TDs) who are referred to by title are the chair (Ceann Comhairle, Leas-Cheann Comhairle, or temporary chair), government ministers, and ministers of state. Private members, including opposition party leaders, are addressed as "Deputy <name>". At the 1963 state banquet during John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland, the Irish seated at the top table included the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Finance, Minister for External Affairs, Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, and Leader of the Opposition. Some county councils and city councils state that the council's