Outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl has said that “it is not right” that a deal is being done by Fianna Fáil that allows the Ceann Comhairle and Leas-Cheann Comhairle positions to be part of the bargaining process during Government formation talks.
Mr Ó Feargháil confirmed that he was contacted by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin on Monday night and informed the party would be recommending the nomination of Independent TD Verona Murphy for the position.
The parliamentary party meets on Tuesday evening to consider the nomination. The vote will take place tomorrow when the 34th Dáil convenes for the first time in Leinster House.
The Ceann Comhairle said that Mr Martin initially contacted him last week to inform that the nine-strong Regional Group of Independents (which is involved in talks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael) was seeking the position. In another contact last night, Mr Martin confirmed he would be recommending that the party back Ms Murphy for the position.
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The Kildare South Deputy, who has served two terms as Ceann Comhairle, is one of two Fianna Fáil TDs who are candidates for the position. The other is Carlow-Kilkenny Deputy John McGuinness.
Mr Ó Feargháil said he had intended to retire and return to the backbenches but having been contacted by a number of TDs, for whom he had respect, he had decided to go forward again but with the intention of serving only 18 months to two years.
“It would be for the Dáil to have a steady hand on the wheel to help the very large number of new TDs who have been elected to find their bearings.
“I would be happy to serve for a period that would allow the new Dáil to settle down and then, after a year-and-a-half, or two years, to step down. That would allow another person to have the job and continue it on into the following Dáil term.”
[ Why does the Regional Group of Independents want the ceann comhairle position?Opens in new window ]
He said he was unhappy that the position was being used as a bargaining chip as part of the coalition talks.
“It is not right that a deal is being done by those putting a Government together where the Ceann Comhairle and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle jobs are included in the consideration.
“That was not done in 2016 and in 2020 when the numbers were very much tighter. There was no effort to put a deal together based on those jobs. It is a regression, in my view, and a challenge to the independence and competence of the Dáil.”
He said he was still seeking the position on a point of principle. “The fundamental principle is that it is up to the Dáil and not the parties. Those positions belong to the members.”
The two positions will be determined by a secret ballot of the Dáil’s 174 members. On Monday, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris indicated that the party leadership would be recommending a nomination to his party’s TDs at its meeting on Tuesday evening, but that no whip would be applied.
The other candidate for the position is the Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South Central Aengus Ó Snodaigh.
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