Drama brewing in Fianna Fáil as Seán Ó Fearghaíl hits out at 'bargaining' over Ceann Comhairle gig

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will tell his party to back independent TD Verona Murphy for the Ceann Comhairle position over party candidates Seán Ó Fearghaíl and John McGuinness.

Mr Ó Fearghaíl, the sitting Ceann, has slated the position being used for “bargaining” in government negotiations that undermines the “primacy of the Dáil”.

Fine Gael will meet in Leinster House after 5pm on Tuesday evening and it is understood that Simon Harris will also suggest that his TDs vote for Ms Murphy.

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The 34th Dáil will sit for the first time on Wednesday and a new Ceann Comhairle will be elected. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are currently in government negotiations with the Regional Independent group led by Michael Lowry.

As part of these negotiations, the group has proposed appointing Ms Murphy as Ceann Comhairle. She would be the first female Ceann Comhairle if she was elected.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Today with Claire Byrne, Mr Ó Fearghaíl confirmed that the Tánaiste had called him on Monday evening and told him that he would be recommending to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary on Tuesday that it should vote for Ms Murphy in the vote for Ceann Comhairle. The vote is done by secret ballot using the PR-STV system.

Mr Ó Fearghaíl said he will not take his name out of the running as he does not want the Ceann Comharile position to be used as a bargaining chip in government negotiation talks. He said he would “rather walk on a bed of coals than be in this position”, but he was sticking up for “parliamentary reform” and the “primacy” of the Dáil.

“[Mr Martin] confirmed what had been mentioned previously and that was that Fianna Fáil were making progress in their discussions with the Regional Independents,” Mr Ó Fearghaíl said.

“Last night [Monday], he confirmed that at today's parliamentary party meeting, he would be recommending to the parliamentary party that they vote for Verona Murphy. I think it was a difficult call for him. His argument was that they wanted to form a government that would be stable and that would endure for the full term of five years.

“He saw the nomination and the election of Verona Murphy as being critical to that. I am conscious that there have been soundings from the Regional Independent group, that it might not, in fact, be a game changer. But anyway, that's immaterial. The leaders of the parties will do what the leaders of the parties feel is right in the interest of government formation.

“I've never been one of the awkward squad. I would have no desire in any set of circumstances to in any way obstruct, delay or hold up the formation of a stable government. I asked him [Mr Martin] what Fine Gael were going to do and he couldn't tell me exactly.

“But, I mean, I've highlighted from way back that there is a principle at play here. In my two terms in the Ceann Comharile’s office, I've been very actively engaged in the business of reform. One of the reforms that was commenced under Enda Kenny's leadership was that the election of the Ceann Comhairle and the Leas Ceann Comhairle would be given to the members of the Dáil in their totality.

“Therby, the primacy of the Dáil would be recognised. That was an important principle, and that was a principle that was respected in 2016 and in 2020 in government formation talks when the numbers were far tighter and far more critical. It appears now that there's a deal underway wherein these two positions are up to be bargained for.”

Mr Ó Fearghaíl said that using the Ceann Comhairle position for bargaining “undermines the primacy of the Dáil” and amounts to “potential government partners taking control”. He said he would “happily withdraw” but that he felt that if he did, no one would defend the right of TDs to elect a Ceann Comhairle in an “unfettered way”.

Mr Ó Fearghaíl had indicated that he was not going to run for the Ceann position in the 34th Dáil after holding the position for two years. He said he was “encouraged” by colleagues to run and he only intended to stay in the position for up to two years before stepping back.

He added: “If it weren't now for this point of principle, I'd happily take myself off the pitch. I'm really sorry that I find myself in this position. In fact, I'd rather walk in a bed of coals than have to deal with this situation."

The Irish Mirror has contacted John McGuinness to inquire whether he still intends to run for Ceann Comhairle. We have also contacted a spokesperson for the Tánaiste for comment.

The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party is due to meet after 12pm.

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