Complex sentence: On 7 May 2008, Cowen was nominated by Dáil Éireann as Taoiseach, by 88 votes to 76, and was appointed by President Mary McAleese.
Split into simpler sentences: On 7 May 2008 Cowen was nominated by Dáil Éireann as Taoiseach. He was nominated by 88 votes to 76, and was appointed by President Mary McAleese.