2024 Ceann Comhairle election

2024 Ceann Comhairle election

18 December 2024
Turnout	99.4%
Nominee Verona Murphy Aengus Ó Snodaigh Party Independent Sinn Féin 1st preference 76 (44.2%) 48 (27.9%) 2nd count 76 (44.2%) 54 (31.4%) 3rd count 89 (51.7%) 67 (39.0%)   Nominee Seán Ó Fearghaíl John McGuinness Party Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil 1st preference 27 (15.7%) 21 (12.2%) 2nd count 42 (24.4%) Eliminated 3rd count Eliminated
Ceann Comhairle before election Seán Ó Fearghaíl Fianna Fáil Elected Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy Independent

The 2024 election of the Ceann Comhairle took place on 18 December 2024 at the commencement of the 34th Dáil.^[1] It was the third election to be performed by secret ballot. Verona Murphy was elected to the position, the first woman to become Ceann Comhairle.^[1]

Rules

Under the rules for the election of the Ceann Comhairle, introduced during the 31st Dáil, candidates must be nominated by at least seven other members of Dáil Éireann. Each member may nominate only one candidate. Nominations must be submitted to the Clerk of the Dáil by not later than 6 p.m. on the day before the first day the Dáil meets after the general election to be valid. For the 34th Dáil meeting after the 2024 general election, this date was 17 December 2024. Nominations may be withdrawn at any time up to the close of nominations.^[2][3]

If more than one candidate is nominated, the Dáil will vote by secret ballot in order of preference after the candidates' speeches, which may not exceed five minutes, with an absolute majority required for victory.^[4] If no candidate wins a majority on first preferences, the individual with the fewest votes will be eliminated and their votes redistributed in accordance with their next highest preference, under a voting system known as the alternative vote (misleadingly described in Dáil standing orders as "the Proportional representation Single transferable vote system").^[2] Eliminations and redistributions will continue until one member receives the requisite absolute majority. Then, the House will vote on a formal motion to appoint the member in question to the position of Ceann Comhairle. The Clerk of the Dáil will be the presiding officer of the House during the election process.

Candidates

Fianna Fáil TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Ceann Comhairle of the 33rd Dáil, sought re-election.^[5] The other candidates were: Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness; independent TD Verona Murphy; and Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh.^[5]

Verona Murphy was nominated by the Regional Group of independent TDs.^[6] The Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parliamentary parties both backed Murphy.^[7][8][9]

Result

2024 election: Ceann Comhairle^[10]

Party		Candidate	FPv%	Count
				1	2	3
	Independent	Verona Murphy	44.2	76	76	89
	Sinn Féin	Aengus Ó Snodaigh	27.9	48	54	67
	Fianna Fáil	Seán Ó Fearghaíl	15.7	27	42
	Fianna Fáil	John McGuinness	12.2	21
Electorate: 174   Valid: 172   Spoilt: 1 (0.6%)   Quota: 87   Turnout: 99.4%

References

1. "Verona Murphy pledges to be 'reforming Ceann Comhairle'". RTÉ News. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
2. "Standing Orders Relative to Public Business" (PDF). Oireachtas. 2024. p. 3; S.O. 6. Retrieved 18 December 2024. The ballot shall be counted under the Proportional Representation Single Transferable Vote (PRSTV) system.
3. "Social Democrats co-leader considers run for Ceann Comhairle post". The Irish Times. 17 February 2020.
4. "Here's who is in the mix for the job of keeping order in the next Dáil". TheJournal.ie. 17 February 2020.
5. "Five names in the mix in race to be next ceann comhairle". The Irish Times. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
6. "Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil leaders ask TDs to support Verona Murphy for ceann comhairle despite earlier criticisms". The Irish Times. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
7. "Harris and Fine Gael join Fianna Fáil in backing Verona Murphy for Ceann Comhairle". The Irish Times. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
8. "FF to support Verona Murphy as candidate for Ceann Comhairle". RTÉ News. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
9. "Die looks to be cast as party leaders back Murphy for Ceann Comhairle role". RTÉ News. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
10. "Selection of the Ceann Comhairle". Oireachtas. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.