Criticism of ceann comhairle move

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has criticised Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin for nominating party candidates to be the next ceann comhairle.

Mr Varadkar was speaking in the context of the role being elected by way of a secret ballot for the first time, and said the decision of the two parties goes against the spirit of the new rule.

The Dublin West TD said the purpose of the new rule would be to allow the chairperson not to be the nominee of the taoiseach of the day, but rather someone who enjoys support from across the floor of the Dáil.

“The whole new way of electing a ceann comhairle is that they not be a nominee of the taoiseach, the government or any political party,” he said.

“Ideally, what you would like to see develop over the course of a number of elections is somebody going out getting seven nominees from across the parties. I am sorry Sinn Féin and Fianna Féil don’t get that yet, I hope they will in time,” Mr Varadkar added.

Fianna Fáil’s Robert Troy defended the party’s decision to decide on a party candidate, which will be done at a meeting tonight. Five TDs from the party have expressed a desire to be considered. They are John McGuinness, Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher, Brendan Smith, Michael Moynihan, and Sean Ó Fearghail.

Mr Troy denied Fianna Fáil are making the race to be ceann comhairle party political.

“It is not necessarily a party issue. The person who will come out of it will still have to attract support from the political divide. What we are saying is out of that meeting on Monday is one person will go forward from there. We are not making it party political,” Mr Troy said.

Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane said it would be a bad starting point to the new Dáil to prevent parties or Independents from putting forward nominees of their choice. Mr Cullinane added that because vote transfers will be in play, parties and individuals will be able to select several candidates.