Dáil Day One: Let’s do some work, says new ceann comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Fianna Fáil TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl has promised to deliver substantial reform of how the Dáil is run now he has been elected ceann comhairle. He is the first to be elected by secret ballot.

The Kildare South TD was successful in overcoming the challenge of fellow TDs Andrew Doyle, Wicklow; Bernard J Durkan, Kildare North; Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Cavan-Monaghan; and Maureen O’Sullivan, Dublin Central.

He was elected on the fourth count and secured 74 votes in total, and finished 16 votes ahead of Fine Gael’s Andrew Doyle. The Fianna Fáil party whip in the last Dáil, Mr Ó Fearghaíl is a popular politician.