Verona Murphy, an Independent TD representing Wexford, has been elected as the Ceann Comhairle of the 34th Dáil, which sat today, December 18, for the first time since Ireland's General Election in November.
The Ceann Comhairle, or Chair of Dáil Éireann, is a constitutional office holder and presides impartially and with authority over the business and proceedings of Dáil Éireann.
Murphy was up against outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl of Fianna Fáil, as well as Fianna Fáil's John McGuinness and Sinn Féin's Aengus Ó Snodaigh for the position.
Each of the Ceann Comhairle candidates addressed the Dáil on Wednesday before TDs voted by secret ballot.
"If the House chooses to elect me as the first female Ceann Comhairle in the State, it will signify a diverse, inclusive and forward-looking 34th Dáil," Murphy said in her address.
Murphy was ultimately elected on the third count on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Simon Harris tendered his resignation as Taoiseach to President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins.
As per the Irish Constitution, the Taoiseach is required to comply with the Irish Constitution which dictates that when the Taoiseach loses support of the Dail, the Taoiseach must resign. Not being able to command a majority in the Dail on Wednesday, he is required to resign.
However, Harris will remain as Taoiseach, and all the Ministers for the Government will remain in place, until new ones are appointed.
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. pic.twitter.com/S0IS16xGKi
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) December 18, 2024
The 34th Dáil Éireann then sat for the first time on Wednesday morning. 174 TDs, including 66 newly-elected TDs, gathered at Leinster House in Dublin for the proceedings.
The First Sitting of the 34th Dáil commenced this morning at 10:30 in Leinster House.
You can watch the proceedings LIVE on #OireachtasTV & photos can be viewed here -
📸 https://t.co/0Yt6B5h3f6 pic.twitter.com/1Ob8RtlE0b
— Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) December 18, 2024
Peter Finnegan, the Clerk of the Dáil who serves as the Ceann Comhairle until a new one is elected, read the Proclamation of the Dáil before reporting on the issue of the writers for the elections. He then read a roll call of the 174 TDs of the new Dáil Éireann.
The matter of the election of the next Ceann Comhairle then followed. After each candidate addressed the Dáil, TDs voted by secret ballot. The PR-STV (proportional representation with a single transferable vote) system was used to count the votes; 87 votes were needed to win the position.
In the first count, Murphy won 76 votes, Ó Snodaigh 48, Ó Fearghaíl 27, and McGuinness 21.
In the second count, Murphy had 76 votes, Ó Snodaigh 54, and Ó Fearghaíl 42.
In the third and final count, Murphy reached 89 votes to Ó Snodaigh's 67 votes.
Earlier today, Verona Murphy TD exceeded the quota on count 3 of the Election of Ceann Comhairle & was declared the successful candidate by the Clerk of the Dáil, Peter Finnegan.
First Sitting Day coverage continues at 3:30pm on #OireachtasTV.
Gallery - https://t.co/9l7wp97dIe pic.twitter.com/SXWQZ6VgjX
— Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) December 18, 2024
After taking her oath, Murphy told the Dáil that she is "humbled, honored, and privileged" to have been elected and vowed to be a "reformer" like her predecessor.
#OireachtasTV - Watch LIVE coverage from the #Dáil as Taoiseach’s and leaders’ remarks of congratulations to the new Ceann Comhairle are taken.
View on Twitter, Facebook, on the Oireachtas TV channel & app. #SeeForYourselfhttps://t.co/6rx084uvWH
— Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) December 18, 2024
https://t.co/9KuvlzRfs4
Murphy's election was not without controversy, however. Micheál Martin, the leader of Fianna Fáil, reportedly told party members to support Murphy, despite the party having two candidates in contention.
Fine Gael members were also reportedly told to support Murphy.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's push to support Murphy as Ceann Comhairle is a strong indicator that the two parties will be picking up Independents to form a majority to win control of the Dáil.
No one party fielded enough candidates to win control of the Dáil in last month's election. Fianna Fáil ultimately won the most seats, followed by Sinn Féin and Fine Gael.
With no party winning a clear majority, Ireland is poised for another coalition government. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, who have both previously said they will not go into coalition with Sinn Féin, are likely to team up with some Independents to reach the majority.
Meanwhile, the new Taoiseach is normally elected on the day of the first sitting of the new Dáil. However, with government formation talks still in progress, it is unlikely a new Taoiseach will be voted upon on Wednesday.
Still, Sinn Féin put forward party leader Mary Lou McDonald as their nomination as Taoiseach. The party, however, lacks support to win the Taoiseach role.
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