Independent TD Verona Murphy has been elected as the Dáil’s first female Ceann Comhairle. She becomes the 21st person to occupy the prestigious role, and takes over from Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who served as Ceann Comhairle since 2016.
Ms Murphy has promised to carry out the prestigious role “without fear or favour,” and said the election of a female marks the creation of a “diverse, inclusive and forward-looking” Dáil Éireann. She must now disassociate herself from the political system and act completely independently and impartially.
Deputy Murphy said today that she is “humbled, honoured and privileged” to have been selected to serve in the role:
The Regional Independent group’s nominee reached the quota of 86 votes on the third count after a secret ballot vote among members. The Dáil heard that one ballot paper was rejected because it did “not clearly indicate a first preference.” The total poll was 173, and the ballot poll was 172.
Ms Murphy received 76 votes on the first count, followed by 48 votes for Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh. Two-time Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, received 27 votes, whilst Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John McGuinness received 21, meaning he was knocked out at first count.
On the first count, no candidate reached the quota. Count two comprised the transfer of John McGuinness’s votes to the remaining three candidates. Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who was elected on the first count in 2020, was eliminated on the second count after receiving a total of 42 votes.
On count three, Ms Murphy was elected with a total of 89 votes. Aengus Ó Snodaigh finished in second position, with 67 votes.
The role comes with a salary of €255,000, making it the highest paid job in Irish politics after the President. The Ceann Comhairle is expected to observe strict impartiality and does not take part in debates. Nor do they vote, except in the event of a tie, in which event they generally vote in accordance with the parliamentary conventions relating to the Speaker of the British House of Commons, which tend to mean voting against motions.
All 174 TDs in the Dáil voted via secret ballot today, with four candidates in the race. Alongside Ms Murphy, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, decided to contest for the position again, along with Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John McGuinness, Cork North-West Fianna Fáil TD Michael Moynihan, and Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh.
Ms Murphy’s election came after Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin urged his TDs to back her for the prestigious role. Hours later, Simon Harris also asked Fine Gael TDs to do the same.
Speaking today, Verona Murphy thanked the Regional Independents for putting their confidence in her. She congratulated all members of the Dáil on their election, while saying that the description of politics as “the last blood sport” was an accurate description. She said all candidates should be commended for putting their names forward.
“We are the voice of our communities in this forum,” she told TDs. “We communicate on their behalf […] and make known the needs of the people to those who govern.”
“Every member is equal,” she said, adding that no mandate was more important than the other. She vowed to uphold the principles needed for the role.
Many people feel the Dáil chamber is “a talking shop that achieves nothing,” Murphy said, saying it was down to TDs to “change that perception” and reform the way business is conducted so that ordinary people “feel their voice is being heard.”
Ms Murphy said she believed she had carried out her duties with impartiality, saying she believed her experience had prepared her for the position. Further, she said if selected, this would ensure the creation of a “diverse, inclusive and forward-looking” 34th Dáil, promising to do the role “without fear or favour.”
The Regional Independent Group had asked Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to back the nomination of the Independent Wexford TD.
A meeting of Fianna Fáil members heard that in an ideal world it would put forward its own candidate, but the route to Government necessitated difficult choices.
Meanwhile, Simon Harris made the recommendation on the grounds that it would support Government formation – saying that a new government can be formed in January, and this was the right thing to do.
However, outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl said the role should not form part of government formation negotiations, claiming that it undermines the primacy of the Dáil.
The Fianna Fáil TD has been heavily critical of the use of the Dáil role as a ‘bargaining chip’ in negotiations.
While the Ceann Comhairle is by tradition precluded from active participation in politics, they remain free to make representations on behalf of constituents.
The Ceann Comhairle formally opens each day’s sitting by reading the official prayer. As head of the lower house, the Ceann Comhairle is the sole judge of order in the house.
There are hopes that the formation of a government will be achieved by the end of January, but talks for a programme of government could run into February.