Ceann Comhairle 'has no intention of leaving'

The Ceann Comhairle says he intends to complete his term in office.

Seán Barrett issued a statement tonight after a newspaper suggested he may be about to step down.

The report also claimed that Labour was getting ready to put forward one of its own party members for the post.

But the Ceann Comhairle says he will not be departing before the end of the current Dáil and has work to complete in his wider role as chairman of the Oireachtas Commission.

Mr Barrett has been in the headlines recently after a number of high profile spats in Leinster House.

He memorably ejected Sinn Féin's Mary Lou Mc Donald and was forced to deny that he had criticised Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan’s way of dressing.