Convention seeks more status for Ceann Comhairle

The Constitutional Convention has made a number of recommendations on political reform including enhancing the position of the Ceann Comhairle to give it more status.

Just days after Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett threatened to resign if TDs did not adhere to his instructions, the convention voted to change the constitution in order to allow the position to be elected by secret ballot.

The 100-strong group, which met in Malahide in Co Dublin over the weekend, heard presentations from academics and experts and former politicians including ex taoiseach John Bruton and former Fianna Fáil minister Noel Dempsey.