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THE 34th DÁIL will sit for the first time this morning in Leinster House following the general election last month.
For the first time in history, this Dáil will have 174 TDs, 14 more than the last term.
The first order of business will be to elect a new Ceann Comhairle, with four TDs in the race.
In a move that has irked some TDs, the impartial position with a salary of €255,000 has formed a key component of government formation talks.
Outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl is seeking re-election, competing against fellow Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness, Independent TD Verona Murphy and Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh.
The position is filled by a secret ballot of TDs, meaning that the winner is no sure thing.
However, the leadership of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have both asked their TDs to vote for Independent TD for Wexford Verona Murphy as part of a deal with the Regional Independents and it is expected that she will have the numbers to secure the position.
Both leaders have asked their TDs to vote for Murphy in a bid to progress government formation talks with the Regional Independents.
The decision has received criticism from some Fianna Fáil TDs, in particular from Ó Fearghaíl who yesterday told RTÉ that the position should not be used as a “bargaining chip” in Government formation talks.
Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne also voiced concerns about backing Murphy during yesterday’s Fianna Fáil parliamentary meeting.
The regional group of Independent TDs is a technical group in the Dáil made up of Sean Canney, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, Noel Grealish, Michael Lowry, Kevin (‘Boxer’) Moran, Verona Murphy and Gillian Toole.
Aontú’s Peadár Tóibín and Paul Lawless are also members of the technical group but are not involved in government formation talks.
It is understood that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael see Murphy’s election to ceann comhairle as a means of both parties bolstering their majority, with it likely to result in an additional junior ministry up for grabs.
The secret ballot uses the PR-STV (proportional representation with a single transferable vote) system.
The Social Democrats and the Labour Party have both confirmed that their TDs will not be told by party leadership who to vote for and are free to support whomever they see fit.
A spokesperson for the Social Democrats described it as extraordinary that Fianna Fáil has opted to endorse an Independent candidate despite two of its TDs expressing an interest in the role.
“It is clear that what is happening is a stitch up, by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, who are attempting to use the office of Ceann Comhairle as a bargaining chip in government formation talks,” the spokesperson said.
“This is a regressive step which threatens to undo years of work in reforming Dáil practices and procedures. For that reason, the Social Democrats will not be endorsing a candidate,” they added.
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Fffg won’t care what anyone thinks about this. They are sleeping in the same bed. Sad times indeed..
@Paul Gorry: people voted democracy ain’t pretty but the Irish electorate aren’t stupid
@Tim Brennan: ye reckon tim?
@Tim Brennan:
irish electorate aren’t stupid? yes they are when Fianna Fail are back in power
@Paul Gorry: They’re happy to be in a bed, not buried or hidden like
Shergar. Straw poll time?
@John Deane: Bit of growing up needed JD. Tellus your preferred option. The dacent people have spoken
@Sean O’Callaghan: Shergar v babies. Your choice, sean ?
@Paul Gorry:
I’ve ridden horses
@Sean O’Callaghan: Oh look its another Troll Trolling everyone…. diff names same lame trolling.,
@Paul Gorry: Enough baby jockeys in The Shinners to last a lifetime. Some in Londonderry, offside, others in the U S of A, sent offside without VAR. Chuckky or Law?
@Sean O’Callaghan: What’s your take on the hidden babies, sean?Just pretend it never happened, I guess!
@Michael Collins: A concerned citizen. So old to not know what a troll is, but like all commenters, I have an opinion, just like you have. I do not believe I’m quite as big an a soul as other commenters. You can safely choose your category. Get stuck in to someone else for your entertainment
@Paul Gorry: Of course it happened. I’ve walked over their graves in my time. I’m far from happy about it. But it’s not the only thing that bothers me in life. I dont know any of the “hidden babies”, but I do know the names of some who should never been next, nigh or near to babies. They are offside now, courtesy of Shinner beliefs
@Sean O’Callaghan: As all can ya see it is you who is getting stuck into everyone for your entertainment. You are making lame childish comments to almost all on this article so far. And I bet you’ve spammed other articles by now. The definition of a Troll. You cant take the ‘Doe’ outa the Doenut Peter.. or Jim or Trump.
Oh and how long will it take for the ocd LOL’s to return.. if not already LOL.
@Michael Collins: A quite disturbed individual, he is Michael. Seriously, I’m getting worried about his mental health. Hopefully, he gets the help required. But under fffg, i doubt it will ever happen.
@Paul Gorry/Michael Collins + Sean O’Callaghan : are you retired or on the dole ? My excuse for commenting at this hour is I’m having a mug of tea before I prepare to go to work. Or do trolls suffer from insomnia.
@offside again: to quote yourself ‘Yawn’…
Go back on all the articles and see the Real Trolls lad, id suggest looking at any articles about Late Late Toy show.. and btw hope you weren’t joking and conversing with them on those too, as you have on others.. I couldn’t give a flip what you do or when you do it ya tool.. I want to say something more to ya.. But Its Xmass and Im enjoin first night of me holiers pal.. So this time Ill end with Merry Christmas and get over yourself.
@Michael Collins: aw … did I upset you Paul ? Anyways, hey ho, it’s off to work I go. Bisous
@Sean O’Callaghan: FG man JAILED for trafficking women and children,,,,
@Tim Brennan: Are you serious???
@Michael Collins: Late Late Toy Show lol
@Tim Brennan: most aren’t, but there is an element that believes Shinner spin
@John Deane: your view doesn’t accord with result
@Tim Brennan: Tim my friend where have u been. Not stupid. Joke of the day.
The announcement of the Fattened Calf position, the grabbing for this role, highlights all that is wrong with Dail Eirinn, it’s all about self enrichment, the Irish people & the Irish Nation come last. No doubt the FF nominees will throw the toys out of the pram if Verona Murphy gets it. A few years in this Chair & the Gait of Largesse begins to show, with the thick neck & multiple chins. No sign of any action on the Cost of Living for hard pressed working Families. The Fuel Cartels put up Diesel/Petrol & Kerosene this week, despite Oil Barrel Prices unchanged for months. All the empty promises on the Cost of Living by Micheal Martin & Simon Harris thrown out the window now, as they all greedily grab the roles with their sausage fingers.
@SV3tN8M4: Tis tuff. Isn’t it? 3 Hail Mary’s and a Glory be n you’ll be grand. Just have to get up off your knees, get a job n maybe go to work? Alternative is always there. 2 days Dole if ur available for work on the other 5 days. Take your pick. A shovel would hardly suit you
As long as the bar remains open everything is ok.
@John Mc Dermott:
A lot going on there John.
How you manage to drag yourself out of bed by noon I do not know.
“This is a regressive step which threatens to undo years of work in reforming Dáil practices and procedures. For that reason, the Social Democrats will not be endorsing a candidate,” they added.
Given half a chance the SopDems would do the exact same thing.
@Lone Hurler: it depends on the price of the shares at the time of voting
255,000 a year plus expenses. First class seat on the gravy train same route, same conversation, same result. The train follows same track route in a big loop and back to square one. Not a tap done or thing achieved since train left the station till it returns but waffle upon waffle on board. Everyone well fed and nourished on board then we depart again start all over to same result same circus a few new clowns but well trained in trickery and fakeness.
Oh I personally am SO nervous, intrigued and mysterious about the appointment of An CC … said nobody ever
Ahh.. durka dukra, Mohammad jihad
@Dale Voinz: ‘Hanz blix is a p’. So many lines in that excellent ptake movie..
@Michael Collins: “I’ve got five terrorists going southeast on Bakalakadaka street”
The “funny” thing is people think they’ll get change by voting independents, there has never ever been an independent who hasn’t sold their soul for a seat at the table, there hasn’t been any small party who hasn’t either
@Bertie: And the alternative? Think it through….. an Independent who us ignored……. votes against the government…….. collapses the Dáil………….????
@Bertie: I said it to anyone who would listen before the election and I was called a nut. I’m no fan of SF but if you want something to change you have to vote them in until another large party comes along, otherwise it’s as you were. Best of luck to the independents and all but they can’t do much on their own.
@marklars81: I absolutely detest SF but I voted for them because I detest FF FG more, I know voting independents or any of the small parties means more of the same, yes it’s a gamble, not all change us good but I’m willing to take that chance. They claimed SF would crash our economy, well sticking their nose into Israel’s business has put us on a cliff edge
@Me Me: the only alternative to FF FG is SF, you’re deluded if you think ind or small parties will bring about change, I detest SF but I’m willing to take a chance for the sake of the less well off, personally I’m not suffering, I’m retired and own my home but I’ve a son with a mortgage and a daughter who will most likely never own a home, well not under FF FG
Tomorrow is an exciting day for the 34th Dail, I wish them all the very best, except SF and the far left headbangers lol
@Alan Power: secound biggest party in the Dail,,,,just remember that,,,,
@james rowan: and the only organization controlled by masked thugs
@james rowan: yes, the main opposition party
@Johnny Wilson: FFG thugs don’t even wear masks as they know they don’t do accountability.
Consumed by greed the whole lot of them.Any aspiring Wexford policitian should be worried as thats one seat less to play for the next 10 years.
This decision by fianna fail and fianna Gail is disgusting. I know I will never vote independent again, as they ran for the money and power. They should be ashamed of themselves. People voted independence candidates for independence. Shicking
@sheila begg: The Irish public isn’t stupid????
Well, many independents are ex ffg. That lost their seats. They always vote with the government. No people voted independants, so all stays the same
@sheila begg: assuming politicians run for office in order to make a difference, the best was to do that is to get into power in some way. It’s rare for backbenchers to make a difference.
@sheila begg: She’s from FG family
@sheila begg: they played you like a violin
Will Verona step down when the poison pen letters become public?? I wonder I wonder….
FFG No principals, no morals ,no ethics. would throw anyone under a bus to get power. To vote for an independent that they expelled from FG party to satisfy their lust fo power is nauseating. shocking act of self indulgence ever. Harris the weasel and Martin should be ashamed of themselves This is not what we voted for
@Adrian Aungier: it is what we voted for
The irony, Micheál Martin using the Shadow of the gun man to keep Sinn Féin at bay, to go in with among others, Michael Lowry, read the findings of the moriarty tribunal to find the reason why he is most certainly not innocent and not just in regards to O’Brien. Of course the same tactic was used by Cumann Na nGhaedhael, yes, the same one that branded with the Centre (Farmer’s) Party and the National Guard (The Blue-Shirts) to form Fine Gael. Of course that tactic completely back-fired for Cumann na nGhaedhael but he uses it now. If he had a brain he’d be dangerous. From a party who went into the Dáil with fire-arms in their pockets, yep, pretty ironic.
@Brian D’Arcy: democracy is beautiful
@Alan Power: it is if there was any
Why is this such a big deal just for your person of choice for speaker.
@Ned: Better pay than a leftie on the dole. I’d hang me Ma for that few Bob.
@Sean O’Callaghan: Verona Murphy a ‘leftie’ ha ha
Thats 10 more of his accounts muted. He really is ruining the comments section. So far I’ve muted 18 accounts associated with him. 18!! he must have plenty of time on his hands. Probably has more.
The comments section really needs to be more gay friendly
@Alan Power: Ahhh are Trump24/Jim/Doe/Peter not coming in your basement till later ! ..
Ya pitiful lil trollster … LOL.
@Alan Power: Fair play for the u-turn though for ye ‘lads. Complete opposite of what ye were saying on all the Late Late Toy Show article’s…LOL
Our fergeal hasn’t done one thing for his constituency and said he would not run for the post again but greed is a thing
It is a very special day for our new FG and FF TDs, I wish them all the very best for the next 5 years in government
The money for the position should be reduced to 10000 extra only see who wants it then
Has he no respect for himself? What a mess.
Best of luck to all the TDs in Dáil Éireann
Who gives a sheet
Intrigue the vote is decided for God’s sake it’s a farce
have your say