Elections all done, counting concluded, and negotiations complete, the day finally arrived for the Dáil to elect a Taoiseach, but things have not progressed as planned.
It was always going to be a day of significance for the country, as the new Government for the next five years was finalised with Micheál Martin appointed as Taoiseach and the men and women who make up the new Cabinet getting their seals of office.
This morning, when the 174 TDs assembled in the Dáil chamber at 11am, the nomination process for the new Taoiseach was expected to begin.
Instead, opposition parties expressed vociferous unhappiness about key issues, namely the notion that Government supporting TDs would be allowed sit in a technical group for speaking time and the proposed Dáil sittings would be suspended until 5 February.
Opposition TDs took to their feet to object, make points of order and demand the Ceann Comhairle remedy these issues before planned business could get underway.
It all meant the main events of the day have been delayed and pushed back.
So, what happens from here?
Timetable
Assuming a solution to the speaking time issue can be worked out between opposition whips and the Ceann Comhairle, the house will return to the planned nomination of the Taoiseach, albeit three hours later than expected.
When that happens, Micheál Martin will be proposed by new Galway East TD Albert Dolan and seconded deputy Catherine Ardagh.
Sinn Féin is also set to nominate Mary Lou McDonald.
Mr Martin is to become Taoiseach for the second time in his political career.
There will be speeches from party representatives and some opposition leaders and groups, but should quickly progress to a vote.
As the new coalition has 95 TDs, giving them a majority of nine, the nomination of the Fianna Fáil leader is assured.
Áras an Uachtaráin
After he leaves the Dáil chamber the newly nominated Taoiseach will exit Leinster House on the Kildare Street side, amid applause from party colleagues, well wishers and family who will have gathered at the door of the building.
Then it will be into a waiting car, which will sweep out of Leinster House, onto Kildare Street where Garda outriders await to accompany Mr Martin on the journey to meet President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin in the Phoenix Park.
The two will hold a short private meeting and then, in accordance with Article 13 of the Constitution, the President will present the incoming Taoiseach with his Warrant of Appointment and Seal of Office.
Government Buildings
After these Constitutional requirements are fulfilled, Mr Martin departs the Áras for Government Buildings, where for the second time in his career he will move into the Taoiseach's office, newly vacated by outgoing Taoiseach Simon Harris.
Appointment of ministers
At this point, Mr Martin must set about appointing new Government ministers much later than was originally expected.
Bunreacht na hÉireann limits the number of ministers to 15. Prospective appointees will be waiting nervously in their offices around Leinster House for 'the phone call'.
Some are the outgoing ministers hoping for reappointment, and some are TDs who are hoping for promotion to ministerial rank for the first time.
As per the agreement between the coalition parties, there will be eight ministers from Fianna Fáil and seven from Fine Gael, but no one can be sure they have a job until they are actually contacted.
The 'super junior' ministers, who are Ministers for State but will be allowed to attend cabinet, will also be contacted.
Two have already been named, Seán Canney and Noel Grealish, independents supporting the Government.
It is expected two others will also be nominated, the Chief Whip from Fianna Fáil, who will become the Government Chief Whip and another super junior from Fine Gael.
The Dáil meets again
During this time, the Dáil will have been adjourned, and TDs will be in their offices or milling around Leinster House.
Later this evening, the bells will ring to call the chamber to assemble again.
There will be an air of nervous anticipation to see who the new ministers will be. Once TDs are seated, the new Taoiseach will enter the chamber, followed by all his new ministerial appointees.
Speeches will follow by the Taoiseach and leaders of the other groups, and a motion will be put to the house to approve the new ministers.
Back to the Áras again
Once that motion is approved, the new Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government ministers will travel to the Áras.
Ministers will travel by bus behind the leaders' cars. Each minister will then get their Seal of Office from President Higgins, and photos of the new Government will be taken.
Cabinet meeting
The final part of the day's choreography is a meeting of the new Cabinet.
This will take place in Áras an Uachtaráin as well and is a short affair.
The Taoiseach will address his new ministers, setting the tone for what is required of them as the work of the new Government begins.
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