Next Ceann Comhairle will be able to lobby

The next Ceann Comhairle will be able to lobby the Government on behalf of their constituents, it has emerged.

As the role will be elected by secret ballot, those who have signalled a desire to occupy the seat of Dáil chairman have faced charges on the election campaign trail that they would be of no use to voters.

However, the Irish Examiner has confirmed with the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission that while the Ceann Comhairle must not act in a political way, they are free to make representations on behalf of constituents.