Independent Wexford TD Verona Murphy has made Dáil history as the first woman Ceann Comhairle, elected on the third count against three other contenders, Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh, outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl and John McGuinness, both of Fianna Fáil.
Ms Murphy pledged to be a reforming chair of the Dáil and to be fair and impartial. She would work to improve her Irish “to a level that is commensurate with the office I now hold”, following comments by her competitors that the holder of the office should be able to conduct business through the first official language of the State.
Her success after Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin recommended their parties support her, solidifies the prospect of a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael government supported by her colleagues in the Regional Independent group.
In her short address to the Dáil she said, “To the people of Wexford I want to say my office is open and normal service resumes after the Christmas holidays and will be maintained and improved.”
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On the first day of the 34th Dáil 173 of the 174 TDs took their places in the chamber, watched by family members, colleagues and friends in the visitors’ gallery and from the overflow LH2000 building. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns was absent on maternity leave.
[ Verona Murphy’s path to Ceann Comhairle role marked by controversyOpens in new window ]
The sitting began when clerk of the Dáil, Peter Finnegan, read out the names of all TDs in the new Dáil, including 64 new deputies. Then each of the four candidates for Ceann Comhairle set out their stall. Fianna Fáil Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness, a former minister of state and chair of the Public Accounts and Finance Committees, criticised what he called the Government’s attempts to “control the vote”.
Ms Murphy said if elected she would carry out the role “without fear or favour”. She mentioned occasions she had stood in for the Ceann Comhairle in the last Dáil and she believed she carried out those duties with respect and impartiality. She said “this experience has prepared me for the position”.
Mr Ó Fearghaíl said he always intended standing down after two terms in the role but in the last days of the last Dáil he was approached by people encouraging him to run to bring “stability” and “continuity” and after careful reflection he had decided to put himself forward. “I wonder today if that was such a good idea after all,” he added to some laughter.
Mr Ó Snodaigh said a chair was needed who was proficient in Irish. They should be impartial, independent of government and “rather than seeking limelight for themselves, facilitate members across the House coming together in a constructive manner in the best interests of all the people”.
TDs then moved to the back of the chamber to the eight polling booths to vote for their preferences. When the Dáil resumed at 3.30pm Ms Murphy was announced as Ceann Comhairle and donned her official robe and made her address.
Then Sinn Féin nominated their leader Mary Lou McDonald for taoiseach. Finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said she would lead a “government of change”. She was a leader of “incredible strength, resilience and perseverance”.
Mr Harris said they had not made any nomination as there was no government yet in place. While he had officially resigned as taoiseach the Government would remain in place until a new administration was appointed, he said.
Mr Martin described Sinn Féin’s nomination of Ms McDonald as an “empty gesture and grandstanding”.
Her nomination was defeated by 110 votes to 44 with 14 abstentions.
A number of TDs made speeches afterwards including Green Party leader and its sole remaining TD, Roderic O’Gorman, who said he was now on a “new perch on the backbenches”. He said “political capital” could run out. His party spent it but none of their members regretted any of it for what they achieved in government. They passed more than 40 Bills and he said, “What is the point of being granted the highest privilege our democracy can bestow if it’s not about seizing the opportunity to deliver real and meaningful change for the good of all people?”
The Dáil then adjourned until noon on Wednesday, January 22nd.
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