The country's new Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, has received his seal of office from President Mary McAleese at Aras an Uachtarain.
The Laois /Offaly TD was elected to the position by 88 votes to 76 in the D€il this afternoon after being nominated by Bertie Ahern.
After casting his vote, Mr Ahern sat on the back-benches for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Tributes were paid in the chamber to Mr Cowen by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, as well as Laois-Offaly constituency colleagues John Moloney, Sean Fleming, Charlie Flanagan and Olwyn Enright.
Mr Cowen is expected to make few changes to the outgoing Cabinet.
At the very least, he will be forced to fill his dual Finance Minister and Tanaiste roles, which have fallen vacant.
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