Live Blog
INDEPENDENT TD VERONA Murphy has been elected as the new Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann.
TDs have cast their votes to decide who will be elected to the role, with Murphy receiving a total of 89 votes. The position is decided by PR-STV in a secret ballot of TDs.
In second place was Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh, with a total of 67 votes.
Murphy will chair meetings and business in parliament for the coming years.
There was some doubt about who would emerge from the secret ballot to take the position.
Outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl was seeking re-election, competing against fellow Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness.
However, their parties both said they would back neither – instead the outgoing government TDs were urged to back Independent TD Verona Murphy for the role.
Earlier, Taoiseach Simon Harris formally resigned as the head of Government ahead of the first sitting of the new Dáil.
You can follow along here for updates.
Reporting now: Mairead Maguire. Earlier: Jane Matthews, Eoghan Dalton and Christina Finn
Mary Lou McDonald says there is no question of wasting time, stating that in fact there is no time to waste. She says lots of voters voted for change and a change in government.
“Those votes count, those votes matter,” she said.
“They voted for a government on their side, and who has their backs,” she adds, stating that those voters are now angry that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are back in power.
She tells Martin that he won’t even contenance speaking to Sinn Féin, stating he refuses to recognise the votes that voted for Sinn Féin are equal to those that voted for his party or Fine Gael.
The new government must be founded on clear principles on how it will work. There must be an agreement to survive the full-term, Micheál Martin says.
The government must be pro-enterprise and growth, says Martin, stating that there should be growth and a rise in living standards, if the the current path continues to be followed.
“Corrosive” Euroscepticism must be faced down by the next government, he says.
In terms of international affairs, the new government must not be afraid to speak up, says Martin. The onslaught on the Palestinian people by the Israeli government “cannot be tolerated and there has to be limits to state actions”, Martin tells the Dáil.
He says Ireland will continue to call out violations of international law.
Mary Lou McDonald’s nomination for Taoiseach is defeated by 44 votes to 110, with 14 abstentions.
Micheál Martin says the vote was time-wasting grandstanding.
Mary Lou McDonald sips some water as the Dáil clerk runs through the roll call vote for her nomination as Taoiseach.
Some live action from inside the chamber, where Political Correspondent Jane Matthews is sitting on the press gallery: “Mary Lou just looked at Eoin Hayes sitting on his own and then looked up at the press gallery and stuck her bottom lip out making a sad face.”
Bells ringing out here in Leinster House ahead of a roll call on the nomination of Mary Lou McDonald to become An Taoiseach.
People Before Profit Ruth Coppinger said she would abstaining on the nomination of Mary Lou McDonald.
As she continues to talk, Murphy says Coppinger is running down the clock of her colleague, Richard Boyd Barrett’s speaking time. Michael Collins TD, of Independent Ireland, says his party is the fastest growing political movement in Ireland.
Michael Lowry of the Regional Independent group, congratulates Verona Murphy on her election of Ceann Comhairle. He says it is premature for nominations for Taoiseach today. A strong, stable government is what the public want, says Lowry.
His group will approach the government formations talks in a constructive manner, in a bid to get a government formed by the 22 January, adds Lowry.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik and Social Democrats Rory Hearne also made contributions.
Sinn Féin has nominated Mary Lou McDonald for the position of Taoiseach.
The matter will be voted in the the Dáil later this afternoon, but Sinn Féin does not have sufficient support to see her elected to the role.
Pearse Doherty and Joanna Byrne, the newly elected Sinn Féin TD for Louth, state that McDonald should be the next Taoiseach.
In her maiden speech, Byrne says McDonald has inspired her to get involved in politics. She says she will pave the way for a united Ireland.
Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin is up next. He wishes Verona Murphy well in the new role, stating that she will have the cooperation of all in the House.
He commends the outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, stating that no one can doubt the level of reforms he brought to the office.
In respect of the nomination of McDonald as Taoiseach, Martin takes aim at Sinn Féin, indicating it is a waste of time, as no one yet has the support to win a vote to become the next Taoiseach.
He said in the last Dáil, Sinn Féin argued that the party with the largest vote should lead government, joking that if they were consistent they “would be in the process of nominating me for Taoiseach”.
Sinn Féin makes things up as they go along, says Martin. The Tánaiste ran over his time in his speech, with the new Ceann Comhairle intervening telling him his time is up.
“I’ll start as I mean to go on,” she says, getting a great laugh from Simon Harris.
Simon Harris tells the House that despite his resignation as Taoiseach today, he is acting Taoiseach, and government will continue to function until a new one is formed in the new year.
He says much needs to be done to protect the Irish economy, more needs to be done to improve disability services, bolster law and order and support small and medium businesses.
Harris says as we head towards Christmas and the new year, first and foremost in his thoughts as he heads to Brussels for a European Council meeting is those in war torn regions.
He says no government of any country, one that in particular is engaged in an “immoral onslaught” against children, will intimidate and attempt to silence this House.
While he said political debate can often be characterised by division, Harris said he is proud the Dáil speaks with a strong voice when it comes to Palestine, stating that he will continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and flow of humanitarian aid.
Political Editor, Christina Finn here.
The TDs are back in their seats after the recess. Verona Murphy, who has won the election to become the new Ceann Comhairle, has now taken her seat as the chairperson of the Dáil.
Speaking to the House, she said it was a pleasure to be part of the Regional Independent group.
Murphy said she will strive to be “fair and impartial” in her new role. Speaking to the general public, she says she hope to be a reforming Ceann Comhairle like her predecessor.
She says she takes on board the comments made about the need for someone in the Dáil to have proficient Irish, and she says she hopes to improve her Gaeilge.
Simon Harris wishes her all the best in her new role, stating today is a historic day, as Murphy is the first woman to hold the job.
Shane Moynihan, who is one of the first-time TDs, is at Leinster House today with his wife Teresa and three sons.
The Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Mid-West had been a councillor since 2019.
I was honoured to take my seat at the first sitting of the 34th Dáil at Leinster House today.
— Shane Moynihan TD (@shanemoynihan) December 18, 2024
I was very lucky to be joined by my family, especially my wife Teresa, who has been and continues to be such an incredible support to me in my work.
I will work as hard as I can. pic.twitter.com/nLiLcZEqo2
Our Political Editor Christina Finn reports that Tipperary Independent TD Michael Lowry said of Murphy’s election: “It’s a major achievement for the regional group. We put forward Verona, and requested Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael vote for her because we felt it made a political sense in view of the numbers in this new Dáil.
“Verona has come through. We’re absolutely thrilled for her, it’s a historic day for the country.
“It’s the first ever lady to be Ceann Comhairle. So it’s an eventful day, and I’m delighted for her family and for her friends and supporters in Wexford. And I’m sure they’ll glow and reflect in her achievement.”
He went on to state there is no truth to the suggestion that Murphy becoming Ceann Comhairle formed part of any arrangement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
“I don’t accept that at all. Politics is politics, and politics was in my time, and I’m here whatever, this is my tenth time, I’ve never seen the ceann comhairle other than being a political decision. Every individual party, their leader has the right, and their parliamentary party has the right, to nominate somebody to stand. We took the opportunity as a small group to nominate Verona, and we’ve been successful.
“So I don’t accept that position, that it was a bargaining chip. It wasn’t. In our negotiations and discussions we never made it a condition that Verona would have to be elected as Ceann Comhairle. It was never a condition of our engagement with either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.”
Lowry says everyone involved in the negotiations is eager to take some respite over the Christmas break.
“Obviously, we move on. I think most people will want to go on a Christmas break, we’ve had local elections, general elections, we’ve had this. So I think we’re all fatigued. We need a break. My understanding is that negotiations will finish on Friday and re commence on the 6th of January.”
Here are some more photos of an emotional Verona Murphy surrounded by supporters after being elected Ceann Comhairle.
In other news on this eventful day, Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú was pickpocketed on the plinth.
This sea gull swooped down and swiped Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú’s wallet on the Dáil plinth just now, but he dropped after an energetic chase from the Louth TD. pic.twitter.com/ab0ripZqCB
— Mícheál Lehane (@MichealLehane) December 18, 2024
Speaking immediately after her election, a visibly emotional Verona Murphy shook hands with Ó Snodaigh.
Murphy said it is “an emotional day” and an “honour and a privilege” to be elected to the role.
“I hope I serve everybody well,” she said.
“I just want to say to all the candidates, it is a job of work to put yourself forward, but lookit, thank you.”
Earlier, there were loud cheers from Independents as Murphy was deemed to have exceeded the quota.
Murphy hugged Independent TDs Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran and Michael Lowry, who are both members of the regional independents’ grouping with Murphy which is currently engaged in government formation talks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Once again – That was quick.
The third count has now concluded and Ó Fearghaíl’s votes have been distributed as followed:
Total votes:
Murphy has exceeded the quota. Verona Murphy is deemed elected as Ceann Comhairle. She will be the first woman to hold the role.
That was quick.
The second count has now concluded and John McGuinness’s votes have been distributed as followed:
Total votes:
As Ó Fearghaíl has the lowest amount of votes he is deemed excluded. His votes will now be distributed.
Another update from Christina here, the official first count has been announced by the clerk.
Total ballots: 173, 1 of these votes is deemed invalid as it does not clearly indicate a first preference.
Quota: 87
First preferences:
As John McGuinness received the lowest number of first preference votes he is now excluded and his second preference votes will be distributed.
CEANN COMHAIRLE UPDATE!!
An update here from Political Editor Christina Finn who is over in the Seanad keeping an eye on the Ceann Comhairle vote.
“Verona Murphy is flying with by far the largest first preferences. Home and hosed, as one person said here, she’s on 76 by the independent’s tally,” Christina writes.
Tallies show:
That total’s 171 TD votes, leaving us three short – one of these is Holly Cairns who is on maternity leave and not here today.
That leaves us with 2 votes unaccounted for, but remember it is only a tally and isn’t scientic. It’s undeniable though, it looks like it is going to go Verona Murphy’s way today.
Kerry TD Danny Healy Rae having a little musical break outside Leinster House while we wait for the Dáil to return.
That’s his brother Michael Healy Rae beside him on the right in the cap.
Danny Healy Rae there on the accordion to welcome the new Dáil outside the gates of Leinster House. pic.twitter.com/cvuO3NFxW6
— Aoife Moore (@AoifeMooreIRE) December 18, 2024
Earlier I asked you, our lovely readers, to tell us in the comments who you think should be the next Ceann Comhairle.
Well forget that, I didn’t realise that in the background my colleagues were being fancy and now you can tell us in a more formal (and fun?) way by voting in our player ratings.
You can vote in that here.
But do also tell us how you feel in the comments I suppose, sure why not.
My personal analysis is that Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh’s speech was particularly strong and his argument about the importance of the Ceann Comhairle speaking Irish is quite a salient one.
Dáil Éireann is officially a bilingual parliament, it makes sense that its chair should be too.
Okay, while we wait for the results of the vote, here’s a chat we had with Labour’s Alan Kelly on his way into Leinster House earlier.
It is understood that Kelly, a TD for Tipperary and former leader of the Labour party, has been one of the most vocal members of Labour in favour of the party entering government.
Talks are still ongoing between Labour, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael but Micheál Martin and Simon Harris’s backing of Verona Murphy to be Ceann Comhairle is seen as a significant step forward in their parties negotiations with the regional independents.
A tightlipped Alan Kelly on his way in to Leinster House earlier.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) December 18, 2024
The Labour TD for Tipperary wasn’t giving much away on how his party’s talks with FF and FG are progressing.
Asked what his preference is he says: “I’ll talk to my colleagues before I talk to anyone else.” pic.twitter.com/rcRX0f48x2
This makes it extremely unlikely that Labour or the Social Democrats, who are also still in talks, will be entering government.
When this was put to Kelly, he didn’t give much away in response.
He said the Labour parliamentary party will meet tomorrow to decide where things go in terms of discussions with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Asked what his preference is, Kelly was tight-lipped: “Well, I’ll talk to my colleagues before I talk to anyone else”.
It has been a difficult time for Kelly personally in recent weeks, with the Deputy’s father sadly passing away last week. Kelly told The Journal that this makes today, and his return to the 34th Dáil, even more poignant and special.
Kelly said it is a great privilege to be re-elected as a TD and that the return of the Dáil is always a special day.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) December 18, 2024
“It’s particularly a poignant day for me because I lost my Dad last week, so thinking of him a lot today,” he told @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/4fIE3DRubn
And that’s that! The ballots are now cast for Ceann Comhairle and will be counted in the Seanad from 12.15pm.
The Dáil will then return at 3.30pm.
Who do you think it will be, or better still who do you think it should be? Let us know in the comments.
While that vote is ongoing, here is a report from my colleage Mairead Maguire.
Mairead reports in detail how Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne has questioned his party’s decision to back Verona Murphy ahead of the vote to elect the next Ceann Comhairle.
Byrne made his view clear at yesterday’s Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting.
Speaking to reporters on the plinth this morning, Byrne took issue with Murphy’s ability to be impartial.
“I’ve been firmly of the view that the role of Ceann Comhairle is there to represent members,” he said.
“They must be fair and impartial and balanced, and I have raised the concern, not just of councillors from County Wexford in Fianna Fáil and other parties, but indeed members more generally, around previous remarks.
“It has to be remembered, Verona Murphy on the floor of the Dáil named a number of councillors in various parties and criticised them. It didn’t allow them the right to respond.”
Malcolm Byrne last night voiced opposition to FF’s support for Verona Murphy to be the next Ceann Comhairle. He says she’s previously abused Dáil privilege, which calls into question her impartiality @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/B8NpTah0lD
— Mairead Maguire (@maireadmaguire_) December 18, 2024
You can read the report in full here.
Last but not least, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South Central Aengus Ó Snodaigh speaking now.
He opens his speech in Irish, as Gaeilge, and speaks of the importance of having a Ceann Comhairle who speaks Irish.
“The first official language of our State is Irish,” he says, adding that the Ceann Comhairle should be competent in the language.
He speaks of the importance of the Ceann Comhairle being impartial and the importance of all TDs in the Dáil having and showing respect for each other.
“We might not always agree and we can be bosterous in this chamber, but there is no need to be hurtful or downright hateful,” he says.
Ó Snodaigh says he has reached across the aisle seeking votes for this position and concludes by telling TDs that he is capable of “upholding the primacy” of Dáil Éireann.
And that’s that, it is voting time.
They are now going to ring the bells for six minutes and then proceed to the secret ballot.
Outgoing Ceann Comhairle and Fianna Fáil TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl up next.
He says he always intended to stand down after two terms as Ceann but in the final days of the Dáil people began to approach him about standing again to provide “continuity”.
“After careful reflection I decided to put myself forward. I’m wondering today if that was a good idea at all,” he laughs.
Ó Fearghaíl talks about the imporantance of protecting the reforms that were made to the Ceann Comhairle role over the coming years.
“It is within our power to address the critical issues of the day,” he says, referencing housing, health and the incoming Trump administration.
“And to address collectively on behalf of our people the murderous regimes of Putin, Netanyahu and other dictators,” he adds.
Like Murphy, Ó Fearghaíl also speaks about the low turnout in the last election and says politicians must act to address this.
He compliments the three other candidates and says he has the “height of respect” for each of them.
In conclusion, Ó Fearghaíl says together TDs can work to make Dáil Éireann “the best possible version of itself”.
Independent TD for Wexford Verona Murphy, who has the backing of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael leadership for the Ceann Comhairle position, says that the Dáil chamber is “the life blood of democracy”.
She talks of the importance of the Dáil functioning smoothly and says every member of the Dáil has a mandate, with no one mandate more important that the other.
She says she will adhere to this principle if elected Ceann Comhairle.
Murphy also makes reference to the low turnout in the general election and says it is incumbent on all TDs to make sure Dáil Éireann is an inclusive place that voices the views of the people.
“If you chose to elect me as the first female Ceann Comhairle in the State it will signify a diverse and inclusive step forward for Dáil Éireann,” she concludes.
Also got a joke in about an unnamed Kerry TD’s phone ringing.
McGuinness, former chair of the Public Accounts Committee, tells the Dáil: “I know there are two sets of opinions here”.
He says he disagrees with the view that party leaders can decide who becomes Ceann Comhairle.
He’s talking about times Dáil committees and their member TDs worked together to achieve positive outcomes, he explicitly mentions Maurice McCabe and the Grace case.
“I’m asking you as individuals of this parliament to consider the nominees before you today and to protect the interests of this house, the interests of democracy,” he says.
He concludes that trust is needed in politics and this position should reflect that.
He receives a round of applause from those in the chamber. Verona Murphy up next.
The clerk of the Dáil has just announced that it is secret ballot time.
TDs will now vote on who will be next Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil.
Each candidate will first be allowed speak on their own behalf. They have five minutes each.
Fianna Fáil’s John McGuinness is up first.
Hello! Jane Matthews here taking the over the liveblog for the next while.
Proceedings are well underway in the Dáil chamber now with the clerk reading out the names of each of the newly elected 174 TDs.
That’s 14 additional TDs to the last Dáil and it is a tight squeeze in the chamber, with extra seats having to be added.
Our Political Editor Christina Finn is in the press gallery.
She just informed us a few minutes ago that the first mobile phone ring of the new Dáil went off… Six minutes in.
And no, it wasn’t Danny Healy Rae. For once.
I’m told a second phone has rang in the chamber in the last minute or two. Stick it on silent lads!
One of the new batch of TDs is Labour’s Ciarán Ahern, and here’s the deputy for Dublin South-West with his wife, human rights lawyer Maeve O’Rourke and their family.
Also from Christina, who says it’s notable that new TD Eoin Hayes who was embroiled in controversy last week and was suspended from the Social Democrats is sitting in Independent seats on his own, far removed from the party.
Political editor Christina Finn here. The bells are ringing in Leinster House and all the old and new TDs are taking to there seats in the Dail chamber. It is very loud with the chatter and excitement, a very first day back at school vibe.
Danger here for Simon Harris and Micheál Martin’s plans for Wexford Independent Verona Murphy to get the ceann comhairle job.
Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne has strongly criticised Murphy, saying she needs to be “fair and impartial” in the role, and pointing to her past criticism of the party’s councillors.
Malcolm Byrne last night voiced opposition to FF’s support for Verona Murphy to be the next Ceann Comhairle. He says she’s previously abused Dáil privilege, which calls into question her impartiality @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/B8NpTah0lD
— Mairead Maguire (@maireadmaguire_) December 18, 2024
A brief statement has just landed from Áras an Uachtaráin:
“The Taoiseach this morning visited the President at Áras an Uachtaráin and proffered his resignation in accordance with Article 28.9.1° of the Constitution.”
We know who the larger parties are backing to become the next ceann comhairle but what about the rest?
Independent Ireland’s four TDs are set to support Seán Ó Fearghaíl in his re-election bid.
Our political correspondent Jane Matthews reports that their rationale is that the Fianna Fáil TD was a “good referee” and “very helpful and accommodating” when the party was set up during the last Dáil.
Party founder Michael Collins has therefore asked his fellow TDs to support Ó Fearghaíl.
Wexford Independent Verona Murphy is almost guaranteed to receive support from her fellow Independent members of the Dáil’s Regional Group. This includes Sean Canney, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, Noel Grealish, Michael Lowry, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran and Gillian Toole.
With Murphy also receiving the support of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael leadership, she is the favourite to take the position.
Neither the Social Democrats or Labour are directing their TDs to vote for any candidate, meaning they’re free to support whomever they see fit.
Also in the running for ceann comhairle are Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness and Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh.
The 34th Dáil will see the largest intake of TDs in history. There will be 174 TDs, 14 more than the last term.
Fianna Fáil have 48 TDs this term – that’s ten extra on the last term – Sinn Féin have 39 (+2) and Fine Gael have 38 (+3).
Social Democrats and Labour both have 11 TDs – an increase of five each.
People Before Profit-Solidarity have seen their representation halved from six TDs to three, while Aontú have doubled their representation from one TD to two.
Out of all parties, the Greens suffered the worst results and they have gone from 12 TDs to just one lone member.
Smaller parties such as the Donegal-based 100% Redress and south Tipperary’s Workers and Unemployed Action Group have one TD apiece. As regards Independents, they are down from 19 TDs to 15. However, the party called Independent Ireland now have four TDs.
Back at the Áras, Simon Harris has left the building and is now on his way to the Dáil.
President Michael D Higgins is seen here giving him a cheerful wave goodbye.
The new Dáil will be met by protesters who are demonstrating over the war in Gaza, with roads closed in the area.
The protesters are looking for the Occupied Territories Bill to be enacted immediately by the new Dáil.
Ríonach Ní Néill from Apartheid free Arts tells @thejournal_ie that the group of protesters here today for the first sitting of the 34th Dáil want the Occupied Territories Bill enacted now. pic.twitter.com/KFkYjY9ZfZ
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) December 18, 2024
Our reporter Andrew Walsh is at Áras an Uachtaráin where he notes that there was “no messing around” from Simon Harris, who hurried into the meeting with the president to formally resign from the Taoiseach’s office.
Before we get to the Dáil, outgoing Taoiseach Simon Harris will formally resign at Áras an Uachtaráin.
Harris is expected to meet President Michael D Higgins in the next hour to confirm he is stepping down from the role.
Normally, we would see a vote take place on the same day to elect a new Taoiseach – but this looks unlikely today as government formation talks are still ongoing.
The leadership of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have both asked their TDs to vote for Independent Wexford TD Verona Murphy as ceann comhairle as part of a deal with the Regional Independents group to form a government.
But some Fianna Fáil TDs, – in particular outgoing ceann comhairle Sean Ó Fearghaíl – are publicly unhappy that the position has been used as a “bargaining chip” in government formation talks.
Our political correspondent Jane Matthews has been looking at the ins and outs of the talks this morning.
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