Some of the TDs pitching to become the next Ceann Comhairle used their speeches to raise concerns about the public’s disengagement with politics.
The nominated candidates – which included Independent Verona Murphy, outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Fianna Fáil’s John McGuinness and Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh – made separate pitches to the Dáil.
Ms Murphy is widely expected to emerge with the most votes following a deal between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael with the Independents to form a new government.
The counting of the ballot papers got under way at 12.15pm and the Dáil will return at 3.30pm when the next Ceann Comhairle will be announced.
A few of the candidates criticised the Dáil's relationship with the public, with Ms Murphy saying the public feel politicians are “removed from the reality of day to day life”.
The Independent Wexford TD said that newly-elected TDs must be the voice of their communities.
Ms Murphy said: “In order to ensure that every member is heard, this House must function smoothly and efficiently.
“Every member is equal, irrespective of their political persuasion, political party or grouping, every member has a mandate, and no one mandate is more important than the other. If elected as ceann comhairle, I will uphold these simple principles.
“Much debate has been heard around the turnout in the recent election. In many constituencies, the turnout dropped below 50%.
“Large numbers of people in the electorate feel alienated from the political process. They feel politicians are removed from the reality of day to day life. They feel that this chamber is a talking shop that achieves nothing.
“It is incumbent on all of us to change that perception, to make the House more relevant to those that feel excluded.”
Fianna Fáil’s Mr Ó Fearghaíl said that people looking in at Leinster House do not feel “engaged” in the political system.
“At times, they are frustrated and they feel disenfranchised, and it is up to us to change that. 40 per cent of our people did not vote in the general election,” Mr Ó Fearghaíl added.
“We must aim to include, not exclude, to engage and not isolate. To change this, we need to come together and overcome what are relatively minor difficulties very often between us.”
Mr McGuinness said that the Dáil can often be “sidelined”.
He said that “the government” can sometimes be reduced to “just the Cabinet” or “just the leaders of the groups in that coalition”.
“I believe that this house has to exercise its strength and its caution around all of the changes that have occurred in politics,” he said.
He added: “The last General Election told us that we need to build trust with the citizens of this country.
“We need to restore that trust, and I believe the first step in the restoration of that trust is the election of our ceann comhairle, is the changes in our democratic structures to reinforce them in the interests of the people that we represent, and to ensure that we work together.
“To ensure that we deliver for our citizens, that we keep the government accountable to this House, that ensure assure transparency and that we ensure that the government keeps its people safe.”
Meanwhile, Mr Ó Snodaigh said that it is important that the person elected can speak Irish in what is a bilingual chamber.
The party’s spokesman for An Ghaeilge said a parliamentary chair is needed who can monitor comments in either English or Irish, and pointed out that the first official language of the State is Irish.
He said that the person elected should also be impartial and someone who, rather than “seeking the limelight for themselves”, facilitates the House coming together.
“This is vital to ensure the primacy of the Dáil and your rights as a Teachta Dala, whether a government backbencher or an opposition TD hold ministers accountable and defend the interests of your constituents and ensure that the public trust in our democratic institutions and the checks and balances.
“As a parliamentarian, you have been asked to choose the person you best think suited to hold this high office, which is not in the gift of the taoiseach of the day.”
The Dáil will sit again at 3.30pm following the counting of the votes.
