Both candidates for the role of Ceann Comhairle in the new Dáil have made their pitch speeches for election.

Incumbent Ceann Comhairle Sean Ó Fearghaíl looks primed in pole position to retain his role as the Dáil meets for the first time this afternoon.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl as Ceann Comhairle will leave Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin neck and neck with voting TD numbers in the race to lead the next government.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl is on track to win a second term as Ceann Comhairle when deputies meet for the new Dáil tomorrow and as parties struggle to find a consensus on forming the next government.

Mr Ó Fearghaíl received the present while visiting the United Arab Emirates in late 2018.

A review of the recording of TDs attendance records in Leinster House will go ahead in a bid to restore “credibility” and “confidence” in the system.

The move comes after concern about TDs fobbing into Leinster House and the current allowance systems based on their attendance.

Two Opposition TDs have gone to the High Court to see an injunction against Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail over his decision to disallow a new bill due to be debated in the Dáil today.

Demoted Fianna Fáil TDs Timmy Dooley and Niall Collins look set to remain stripped of their frontbench jobs after scathing criticism of their parts in the Dáil voting scandal.

The speaker of the Dáil, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl said the voting scandal of a week ago was a “political failure,” which eroded public confidence in politics.

Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty is the latest minister to be subject to scrutiny about voting in the Dáil.

Minister of state Damien English and Fianna Fáil’s Barry Cowen are the latest politicians to be dragged into the ‘phantom voting’ controversy.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has insisted a full investigation into the "illegal act" of TDs voting for colleagues while they are physically absent is needed - claiming some votes could be cast while TDs are out on "a skite".

A non-swimmer has received a second national bravery award for the role he played in river rescue operations.

Leinster House has scrapped plans for a public "open day" this weekend over fears staff could be put "at risk" from Extinction Rebellion protestors.

Tough new sanctions for politicians and remedies for citizens wronged by them are to be slapped on TDs and senators in the autumn following the Angela Kerins judgement.

The cost of renovating Leinster House will top €17.5m, but Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl insists it is money well spent.

Oireachtas committees “will not be nobbled” despite new laws being needed after the damning Angela Kerins Supreme Court judgement, the Dáil chairman has insisted.

Ex-FAI boss John Delaney’s stone-walling of Oireachtas committees will not be allowed “happen again” under new rules being prepared by authorities, Dáil chairman Seán Ó Fearghaíl has said.

The Pride flag is set to fly over Leinster House for the first time after TDs, party members and staff today meet as part of a new LGBT+ support group.

Goodbye to angry and negative Sinn Féin. Hello to positive, constructive, and nice Sinn Féin.

Politicians always like to keep an ear to the ground but they could be getting even closer to nature if Micheál Martin gets his way.

The chairman of the Dáil, Ceann Comhairle Sean Ó Fearghail, has said pending reforms as to how committees operate would negate any need for sanctions for politicians who break the law.

The Chairman of the Dáil, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, has said pending reforms as to who Committees operate would negate any need for sanctions for politicians who break the law.

The Dáil’s ceann comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, has made a public apology to ex-Rehab chief executive Angela Kerins over her treatment by TDs, warning that a clampdown on committee powers is now needed.

The media has played a crucial role in advancing the cause of the Oireachtas over the past 100 years, Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail has said.

“It is a sad day for rural Ireland,” boomed a defiant Danny Healy Rae.

Dáil chairman, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail, is “considering” a fresh complaint from Labour TD Alan Kelly over information he sought over the treatment of Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe.

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald has refused to say if she was aware of a plan to attack the character of Garda whistle-blower Maurice McCabe when she was minister for justice.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has been asked to explain “disgraceful” answers to Labour’s Alan Kelly over the treatment of Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe.

Coast Guard volunteer Caitríona Lucas, who died last year following a rescue mission off the coast of Kilkee, Co Clare, was awarded a posthumous gold medal for her outstanding act of bravery.

Former GAA president Nickey Brennan has hailed outgoing director general Páraic Duffy as “by some distance” the best sports administrator in Ireland and beyond over the last decade.

A new forum is looking into whether TDs should be curtailed in what they are allowed to say in the Dáil.

The Ceann Comhairle has asked a TD to withdraw remarks that the Dáil is a “kip,” warning that such language should not be used to describe the parliament.

The ceann comhairle says he is “frightened” by groupthink, which is “extremely dangerous” for society, in the wake of what he termed as “robust” criticism of the Garda commissioner

In this era of ‘new politics’, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl talks to Juno McEnroe about the unenviable job of maintaining order in a fragmented, argumentative Dáil.

Solidarity-People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy will make a formal complaint today alleging Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and four Fine Gael TDs “defamed” him during Wednesday’s divisive Dáil Jobstown row.

Gerry Adams’ claim was a startling contribution, writes Michael Clifford.

Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan’s failure to inform the Tánaiste of the Templemore College fiasco for 16 months has been described as a “significant oversight” by a Cabinet minister.

GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail has revealed that a new look hurling championship structure “broadly similar” to football’s Super 8 format could be in place as soon as next year.

Acting on Seán Ó Fearghaíl’s advice would not preclude TDs from learning lessons from Donald Trump, writes Terry Prone

Sinn Féin has “strongly objected” to a Fianna Fáil Dáil motion which it claims was only put forward to “gazump” its bid to remove Garda commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan.

The Ceann Comhairle has hit out at attempts to remove Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan without “evidence”, saying Ireland is at risk of “groupthink” which is “one step short of mob rule”.