Verona Murphy set for Ceann Comhairle role as Fianna Fáil agree to back her bid

If elected, Verona Murphy would become the first female Ceann Comhairle in the history of the State.

With Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on a combined 76 seats, alongside the nine within the Regional Independent Group, it is enough for Verona Murphy to be elected as Ceann Comhairle on the first count. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Fianna Fáil TDs are set to back Verona Murphy to be the next Ceann Comhairle, clearing the way for the independent TD to be voted into the role on Wednesday.

At a Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting, TDs gave their approval to a proposal by party leader Micheál Martin to throw their support behind Ms Murphy.