Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin backing Verona Murphy for ceann ...
Independent TD Verona Murphy is being backed by Tánaiste Micheál Martin for the role of ceann comhairle, the position’s outgoing holder has said.
It comes ahead of a vote by secret ballot for the influential position tomorrow, when the 34th Dáil convenes at Leinster House for the first time.
Outgoing ceann comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who has held the position since 2016, has been told by Mr Martin that he is backing Ms Murphy.
Mr Martin spoke to with Mr Ó Fearghaíl last night to confirm he is supporting the nomination of Ms Murphy, RTÉ reports.
If successful, Ms Murphy, who is a TD from Wexford, would be the first female ever to hold the €255,000 per year position.
Current Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl. Photo: Tom Burke
She will face Fianna Fáil’s Mr Ó Fearghaíl and John McGuinness, of Carlow-Kilkenny. while Fianna Fáil’s Michael Moynihan of Cork North West is still considering running.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, of Sinn Féin, is also on the voting paper.
Fine Gael is not nominating any candidates.
Mr Ó Fearghaíl stressed that he believes individual TDs should decide who will be the next ceann comhairle, rather than party leaders deciding.
The outgoing ceann comhairle’s comments come ahead of a Fianna Fáil party parliamentary meeting later today.
Fine Gael is also set to host its own separate parliamentary party meeting this evening, when the party, will form a consensus on its vote for ceann comhairle.
The backing of Ms Murphy by Mr Martin is seen as a show of support and the beginning of a test of a relationship that would see Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and a group of Regional Independent TDs form a coalition government.
As part of the role, the new ceann comhairle has a number of constitutional duties.
They will chair the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and the Committee on Procedure and Privilege, and liaise with the business committee. The ceann oversees what goes on the order paper to be dealt with by TDs.
Inside the Dáil chamber, their role is to keep order and to process business.
Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 17th
The vote for ceann comhairle tomorrow will take place through proportional representation via the single transferable vote of all members.
The quota will be 88 votes, with TDs having the possibility of voting for themselves.
The vote will follow an opening speech of the 34th Dáil Éireann tomorrow by its clerk Peter Finnegan, who will read out a proclamation received from President Michael D Higgins, followed by the names of all elected for each constituency.
Then the candidates for ceann can make short speeches, followed by the ballot.
There will be a count of the votes, then elimination and distribution.
The person who wins will then be formally elected by an open vote in the Dáil.
