At least five names are in the mix in the race to be the next ceann comhairle in advance of Wednesday’s Dáil vote on who will fill the role.
Two-term Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, a Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare South first elected to the Dáil in 2002, is putting his name forward again.
There is a view among some TDs who encouraged him to run that his re-election would offer continuity in a Dáil with many new deputies. The 64-year-old has made it known he is not seeking a full term should he be elected.
Another veteran Fianna Fáil TD, Carlow-Kilkenny’s John McGuinness – first elected to the Dáil in 1997 – is also making a bid to be ceann comhairle. Something of a maverick in the Fianna Fáil ranks, Mr McGuinness had a high-profile tenure as chairman of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
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[ Why does the Regional Group of Independents want the ceann comhairle position?Opens in new window ]
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Cork North-West Fianna Fáil TD Michael Moynihan – also first elected in 1997 – is also considering a bid for the job, and is expected to make his intentions known on Tuesday.
The Regional Group of Independents’ nominee Verona Murphy is a former president of the Irish Road Haulage Association and she was a high-profile and outspoken Deputy in the last Dáil. Her career in politics began in Fine Gael contesting the 2019 by-election in Wexford. She was later dropped by the party after making controversial comments about asylum seekers but went on to be elected to the Dáil as an Independent in 2020.
Sinn Féin’s nominee is Dublin South Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh who was first elected to the Dáil in 2002. He has said he will return a portion of the €255,000 salary should be elected as ceann comhairle.
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