The Daily Star Ireland
Verona Murphy Vows to Be a ‘Reforming Ceann
Verona Murphy, the newly elected Ceann Comhairle, expressed her humility, honor, and privilege at assuming the role. An independent TD from Wexford, Murphy was elected by a majority vote and is the first woman to hold this position. Her election facilitates the formation of a new government coalition of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Regional Independent Group.
Murphy secured her position on the third count, surpassing the required 87 votes after transfers from the outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl. Initially, she led with 76 votes and gained additional votes from Ó Fearghaíl’s transfers in the final count.
Murphy has pledged to be fair, impartial, and even-tempered in her new role. She also aims to improve her proficiency in Irish to meet the demands of her office. She assured the people of Wexford that her office will continue its services and strive for improvement after the Christmas holidays.
Upon taking her position, Murphy was congratulated by Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin, and she shook hands with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, and other TDs, expressing gratitude to her team and supporters.
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris praised Murphy’s election, noting her expected diligence, impartiality, and decency in serving as Ceann Comhairle. Despite his resignation earlier, Harris remains in his role as Taoiseach until a successor is chosen and will attend a European Council meeting in Brussels.
The 34th Dáil commenced its first session with Dáil clerk Peter Finnegan announcing the names of 174 TDs, including 64 new members. Among them were the youngest TD, 24-year-old Labour representative Eoghan Kenny from Cork North-Central, and the longest-serving member, Fianna Fáil’s Wille O’Dea.
Candidates for the Ceann Comhairle position were given five minutes each to present their cases. John McGuinness emphasized the importance of TDs making the decision, while Murphy outlined her commitment to allowing deputies to represent their electorate. Ó Fearghaíl focused on continuing Dáil reforms, and Ó Snodaigh highlighted his qualifications in the Irish language and his even-handedness.
In a separate development, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was nominated for Taoiseach by her party but was defeated by 110 votes to 44. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin criticized the nomination, calling it premature and a waste of time given the lack of support for a new government at this stage.
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