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FIANNA FÁIL TD Seán Ó Feargháil has been elected as Ceann Comhairle of the 32nd Dáil this afternoon.
Ó Feargháil, a deputy for Kildare South who is the party’s chief whip, beat Fine Gael’s Andrew Doyle after the fourth count.
His election will be formally ratified in the Dáil at 2.30pm.
Independent Maureen O’Sullivan, Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin, and Fine Gael’s Bernard Durkan were all eliminated in the earlier counts.
Oireachtas News / TwitterThe result of the selection of #CeannComhairle - Deputy @SOFearghail_TD - now to the house #32ndDáil #seeforyourself pic.twitter.com/BLCIxPwSNN
— Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) March 10, 2016
The Ceann Comhairle is the chair of the Dáil who is expected to observe strict impartiality and keep order in the house.
His new role means that he will automatically win re-election to the next Dáil.
The election was, for the first time, done by way of secret ballot with 157 of the 158 TDs casting their votes in Leinster House this afternoon.
TheJournal.ie / Twitter157 of 158 TDs voted in the Ceann Comhairle election. Michael Lowry was attending a funeral.
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) March 10, 2016
The election of Ó Feargháil comes after two Fine Gael ministers yesterday privately encouraged backbenchers in their own party to put their support behind the Fianna Fáil whip.
The rationale is that the election of Ó Feargháil weakens Fianna Fáil’s Dáil voting numbers, which now go from 44 to 43.
It also prevented O’Sullivan from winning and being automatically re-elected in Dublin Central – where Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe is based – and turning it into a two-seater at the next election.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterFianna Fáil’s Seán Ó Feargháil says the Irish public has asked TDs to reform the way Dáil does business pic.twitter.com/fSv0Bb0VgK
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) March 10, 2016
Ó Feargháil is the first Fianna Fáil Ceann Comhairle since Seámus Kirk who held the post in the 30th Dáil between 2009 and 2011.
Making his pitch in the Dáil earlier, he said the new Ceann Comhairle and all TDs must ensure that chamber proceedings are “respectful, constructive” and conducted “in the interests of the Irish people”.
He replaces the outgoing Seán Barrett, a Fine Gael TD, who was automatically re-elected in Dún Laoghaire last month as a result of having served as chair in the 31st Dáil.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterFormer Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett is back on the Fine Gael backbenches #dail pic.twitter.com/mr2fyx7cTt
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) March 10, 2016
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Barrett criticised the secret ballot process, a reform introduced by the outgoing government earlier this year.
He said it was “against the spirit of openness in the chamber”. He also said by putting forward two candidates Fine Gael had split the vote, but added:
I’d like to sincerely congratulate him [Seán Ó Feargháil]. I think he’ll do a good job and he’ll have our full support as a Ceann Comhairle, because I think he’ll be independent.
If the last Dáil is anything to go by, Ó Feargháil won’t have an easy job keeping rowdy TDs in order:
I doubt it’s possible to do a worse job than Sean Barrett
There is…….the man before Barrett was a gangster shur.All the expenses he claimed seem to be forgotten
Yes it is possible.
The “posh” Shinner, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, you wouldn’t understand a word coming out of his Mouth, with that put on Posh Monaghan accent.
A gentleman he is Alan.
I see the tweet now.. Lowry busy at a funeral. Somethings never change.
You have to attend a lot of funerals if you want to top the poll in Tipperary
Was it his funeral or someone else’s?
He’s just starting off the way he means to go on, attending the Dail seems to be a hindrance to him
It was the funeral of his best friend. What would you do?
It’s rumoured that O’Caolain nearly had a conniption after the first count when one of his colleagues said ‘you’re gonna be eliminated a chara’.
“Conniption” is a new word for me, Gabby. Many thanks!
At funeral of Tipperary Cllr who he was close to.
Better again if it was non-party. There’s no reform to be had by doing it this way. same old, same old BS. This was a perfect opportunity to show they were serious about reform. They are not.
Meet the new boss ,same as the old boss.
O Sullivan would have been a good independent choice.Pity FG had to play politics with this and overlook OSullivan
Their whole existence is playing politics. I’m suprised you’re suprises to be honest
Blaming FG or anyone else is pathetic.
There were 157 voters today.
Maureen O’Sullivan got 24 first preference votes.
There are 17 independents, 6 Indep Alliance, 6 AAA, 2 Greens, 7 Lab and 3 SDs.
That makes a total of 41 votes for parties/independents with no candidate. But she only got 24. That isn’t FGs fault.
You may as well blame SF. If their 23 had backed her she’d have almost certainly won.
This is soooo depressing. Instead of the opposition uniting, backing up their TALK on having a real functional parliament instead of a rubber stamp, they all stupidly back their own guy, who like in SFs case can’t even bloody win (????) and FG try to be clever reducing FF numbers…and so instead of reform we end up with YET again a CC from a party that will either be in govt or de facto governing from the outside via a minority….sends out a bad signal about how reforming this shower will be in reality. So depressing
I agree, SF should have backed her, would have been nice to show a new way of doing things, im disappointed with SF on this one.
She doesn’t have a strong enough mandate I think. She’s the Gregory place holder who got the lowest first preference vote in the Dail.
She doesn’t have the profile or the respect
Makes a total joke of the right2change election ‘alliance’, the independents and SF all voted for themselves and got nothing. Me Fein all the way.
Interesting that people put ‘Sinn Fein’ and ‘independents’ together as if it were the same thing.
What defines ‘independent’ ? Surely it is a non-party candidate ?
Sinn Fein have a very well organised and structured party – in fact it is run almost like an … (Ahemm )… Army.
Fine is she does not have it, plenty of other independents. This crowd can’t get together to elect a CC how do they expect us to buy they could form a govt?
They’re always babbling on about an alternative to FF or FG but FF (way too easily) outflanked them in the election with a move centre left, then they could not get organised enough to have a single CC candidate never mind get them elected. The ‘alternative’ can’t organise even ceremonial change. Maybe the reformed Dail is about to go to the same place that elusive reformed Senate is hiding (after all the people rejected for the Dail get a huge salary and seats in parliament anyway)
Remember SF are going to stay in the shadows, elected on their manifesto,but feel no duty to try and go into Govt, big Gerry had it ruled out early in play during the counting
They will cos they’re all talk. They proved it with this. Their first chance to affect SOME change and they behaved EXACTLY the way the others did. There’s MLMD talking about the conservative establishment…but sure how are you any different?
Oh their policies etc…talk is cheap, lab had lovely policies too. The proofs in the pudding.
Maureen’s only experience is being a school teacher. She is too mild mannered, plus she needs to lose the whole “Gregory girl” persona, Tony Gregory’s own brother openly supported another candidate in the election! If she got it, would basically only one seat up for grabs at the next election in Dublin central as Mary Lou is a certainty.
Brilliant
Playing politics with an important postion like that is sickening. The public want total reform and policies that benefit the people not political games to keep your friends in power. The very first act they carry out is already corrupted.
Party before the electorate again by Fine Gael.
Just FG?
Surely the Big 3 are equally to blame?
FF candidate got 56 first preferences – they have 44 TDs.
SF candidate got 24 first preferences – they have 23 TDs
FG candidates got 53 first preferences – they have 50 TDs.
So not only are the Big 3 equally guilty of playing party politics with this, but also it means at least 16 others voted for a Big 3 candidate.
157 votes, anyone know who didn’t manage to show up on their first day of work?
Lowry…..too much bother for him to turn up for work.
I imagines if one of your good friends was tragically knocked down during the week you’d like to.attend his funeral as well
So many funerals…. http://www.thejournal.ie/dail-voting-records-for-2012-576212-Sep2012/
…or in the last Dáil… http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/politics/general-election-2016-td-michael-7312160
Silly me…..I mean more up to date in the last post.
I am no lowry fan but wouldn’t begrudge anyone going to a friends funeral. A little bit of cop on wouldn’t go a stray from the likes of Al there on this site anyway. Ofcourse its easy talk crap when you hide behind an avatar.
Disappointing result. I would’ve liked to have an independent in the role.
Coming from one of the major partys to be norminated as Ceann Comhairle, I’m not surprised by voting for thier own! I have to say Maureen O Sullivan didn’t stand a chance and i loving her to be Ceann Comhaile and being the first woman for a change.
Same circus, different clown.
ff sf vote on block for their man fg splitting there vote between two the new way of doing politics horseshite didn’t last pissing time.
Hard luck to Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin, who lost out by just one fada.
First day back and Fine Gael continuing the way they left off, underhand tactics to put the party ahead of the people.
Huh? He’s a Fianna Fail td.
Could have easily gone to Maureen had the merry bandits of mongrels gotten their shit together
You didn’t read the article then. FG voted for him so there would be one less FF TD voting and their seat would be safe in Dublin Central next election.
“The election of Ó Feargháil comes after two Fine Gael ministers yesterday privately encouraged backbenchers in their own party to put their support behind the Fianna Fáil whip.
The rationale is that the election of Ó Feargháil weakens Fianna Fáil’s Dáil voting numbers, which now go from 44 to 43.
It also prevented O’Sullivan from winning and being automatically re-elected in Dublin Central – where Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe is based – and turning it into a two-seater at the next election.”
@ Eamon
The article is complete BS.
FF candidate got 56 first preferences – they have 44 TDs.
SF candidate got 24 first preferences – they have 23 TDs
FG candidates got 53 first preferences – they have 50 TDs.
No evidence that FG voted for FF candidate. In fact the opposite – they almost certainly voted for their own candidates.
A secret ballot is wrong.
We should have the right to know how the people we elected are casting votes on our behalf.
Disagree Chris
They introduced the secret ballot as otherwise TDs only vote for their own party candidate.
It was an attempt to allow people to “break” from the party whip and vote for anyone without fear of reprisal/censure from their own party.
It may not have worked, but it is certainly a move in the right direction.
Imagine if Lowry had been elected ceann comhairle. I would want to know if one of my TDs had voted for him so they could go straight to the bottom of the ballot paper.
The Irish political Merri-go-round. Don’t think I’ve ever so disenfranchised from politics. I give it 2 weeks before a massive scandal breaks in the media about FF.
Highly inappropriate a FF party TD how much more of a bias can you get. Position should be given to independents only.
Try selling that to the independents! Seán Ó Fearghail was elected fairly in accordance with proper parliamentary procedure. We the people decided the composition of the new Dáil in accordance by proper election. No doubt each of the candidates for the position of Ceann Comhairle had their merits. I was very impressed with Bernard Durken’s speech. That the “opposition” could not organize to support the lady candidate is no fault of FF, FG or Labour. Comhgáirdeachas a Sheáin.
By your comment you’d imagine independent TD’s were elected without having an opinion or a viewpoint on anything. That said I would have liked Maureen O’Sullivan in the job, though she has opinions the same as everyone. Doesn’t make her less or more biased than anyone elected to the job
Come on look at the last two they were blatant partisan hacks shielding their own party from questions while tossing the opposition speakers out. They’d spent decades being indoctrinated to blindly support the party they don’t loose that when they become cc
An independent would at least lack that partisan herd instinct.
Playing politics already . so much for reform . something’s don’t change.
The election of Ó Feargháil comes after two Fine Gael ministers yesterday privately encouraged backbenchers in their own party to put their support behind the Fianna Fáil whip.
The rationale is that the election of Ó Feargháil weakens Fianna Fáil’s Dáil voting numbers, which now go from 44 to 43.
All the Big 3 played politics.
FF candidate got 56 first preferences – they have 44 TDs.
SF candidate got 24 first preferences – they have 23 TDs
FG candidates got 53 first preferences – they have 50 TDs.
You going to criticise them all or just FG?
Well brinster going by the article above. It doesn’t mention the others playing games only fg . so yes I will criticise fg……
The election of Ó Feargháil comes after two Fine Gael ministers yesterday privately encouraged backbenchers in their own party to put their support behind the Fianna Fáil whip.
The rationale is that the election of Ó Feargháil weakens Fianna Fáil’s Dáil voting numbers, which now go from 44 to 43.
The article assertions are anonymous, unsubstantiated and completely at odds with the evidence.
FG have 50 votes and yet the 2 FG candidates got 53 first preference votes between them.
It is ridiculous to believe that FG voted FF in any numbers.
What is far more important is that Mo’S got only 24 of the 41 non Big 3 votes. And we’re supposed to believe that there is a sea change in Irish politics?
FG backed FG
FF backed FF
SF backed SF
And the independents acted independently.
Plus ca change.
Well brinster , you best complain to Hugh about the article. I rather read the article from Hugh.who let’s be honest , knows a bit about FG . …. Your very naive and seem to be on s mission on the comments today trying to play it down…. You do know the way games are played .. Split the votes , candidates get knocked out and so on. Have you forgotten this part….
Brinster , I must say how fantastic you are doing on all your comments today. You make your comment and woe and behold large amounts of green thumbs just appear. ….. Bit funny that….
Fishy thumbs going on ?…….
Ah here.
So I’m naive, the thumbs are rigged, unsubstantiated assertions are preferable to evidence and only FG are capable of ever doing anything wrong.
You don’t sound biased at all.
Brinster. Have been watching your thumbs and yes something strange has been going on… Funny when I mention fishy thumbs wo and behold you give yourself 7 and funny enough I got ,7 too. Away you go and play your games. Very easy to spot and I am sure not the only one to spot them today…. Very sad.
Is this Fearghaíl?
Would have liked to see Maureen getting it only consolation is won’t have to look at or listen to that Sean Barrett Muppet
Lord Lowry at a funeral, not even bothering about going to work, not to worry he’ll always top the poll anyway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wZX_Jfvm_Y – I will remind the Deputy…awful craic
doesn’t seem to be a huge fan of water charges in its current form either – https://www.fiannafail.ie/kildare-car-tax-payments-being-used-to-prop-up-irish-water-o-fearghail/
although, FF were in opposition then…..he can change his mind as often as he wants now.
of all the roles in all the houses, surely this one should ALWAYS be independent? sad face.
His views on water charges are completely irrelevant. He is not allowed make any statement on them. Otherwise he would dishonour the office of state he had been elected to by making it partisan. He only ever casts a vote if there is a tie and that is very rare, particularly when there are 157 other deputies, so if they all voted or were pared then there would hardly ever be a tie (ignoring the fact that there will be a government majority of 93-61 if the Grand Coalition happens. There is also precedent to recommend that it is most correct in the case of a tie for the Ceann Comhairle to automatically vote against whatever the motion is.
I’m absolutely not an apologist for Ml Lowry, I’m from Tipp and I’ve never voted for the man, I’m going to defend him here however regarding his non attendance in the Dail today. The funeral he was attending was for Willie Kennedy who was one of his best friends both personally and politically. A Tipp Co Councillor who was universally well regarded within the county right across the full political divide as a great community worker and a total gentleman to boot.
He was killed tragically in a traffic accident earlier this week. I never voted for Willie either but id have had the height of respect for him and his family and Despite political differences i would have attended his funeral myself except im out of the country all week for work.
I will guarantee also that virtually involved in Tipp politics of whatever hue would have done the same either last night or today
“Virtuallly everyone involved”
Hope he does a better job than barret ..at stages in previous dail i thought he lost control…
Sean Barrett speaking about Independence haha. And giving someone from the opposite party support. Does he think people are stupid?.
A secret ballot is a brilliant idea and it’s rid villus that they haven’t had it before. There was ridiculous pressure on who they had to vote for when it was public and now they can truly vote for who they want to. Sure, there are probably whispers behind the scenes, but no one can get in trouble now for voting for the “wrong” person.
Delighted Maureen O’Sullivan didn’t get it.
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