Verona Murphy elected Ceann Comhairle as Mary Lou McDonald loses Taoiseach vote

Independent Wexford TD Verona Murphy has made history as the first woman to be crowned Ceann Comhairle.

The 34th Dáil met for the first time on Wednesday but failed to agree to appoint a Taoiseach.

Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald was the only name put forward, but was beaten by 110 votes to 44.

READ MORE: Verona Murphy wins vote to become Ceann Comhairle of 34th Dail

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Verona Murphy

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said that "one of the things which most encourages cynicism about politics is when our time is wasted on empty gestures and grandstanding".

He added: "There's no better way to describe the decision by Sinn Fein to propose its leader for the position of Taoiseach today."

Some 173 TDs gathered in Leinster House from 10.30am yesterday morning for the first day of the 34th Dáil. The only TD absent was Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, who gave birth three weeks ago.

Leinster House, Dublin

The first business of the day was the election of a Ceann Comhairle. Fianna Fáil TDs Sean Ó Fearghaíl and John McGuinness, as well as Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh all contested the election.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs were instructed by their party leaders to back Ms Murphy as part of the ongoing government formation talks with the Regional Independent group.

However, it is likely some TDs from each party defected, as Ms Murphy only received 76 first-preference votes. There are nine members of the Regional Independent Group, 48 Fianna Fáil TDs, and 38 Fine Gael TDs. If all had voted for her, she would have received 95 votes.

She was elected on the third count.

As she took her seat and became the first woman to become Ceann Comhairle, Ms Murphy said she was "humbled, honoured and privileged" to take on the role.

Independent TD Verona Murphy in her office at Leinster House, Dublin, after she was elected as the new Ceann Comhairle (speaker), becoming the first female speaker of the Irish parliament. She is stood beneath a portrait of Countess Constance Markievicz, who was the first Irish female MP in 1918, and formed the first Dail Eireann. Picture date: Wednesday December 18, 2024.

She said: "I undertake to be fair and impartial, to be even-handed and even-tempered in the chair.

"To the general public, I hope to be a reforming Ceann Comhairle."

Micheal Lowry, who suggested Ms Murphy should put herself forward for the role, said that "she was a nervous deputy and now she’s Ceann Comhairle".

The Dáil then attempted to elect a Taoiseach, with Ms McDonald nominated by her Sinn Féin colleague Pearse Doherty and new TD Joanna Byrne.

He said: "The government Teachta McDonald would lead would be a government of change.

"We've had 100 years of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government. It is enough.

"The last thing we need is another government that prioritises the wealth and privilege of those at the top.

"Make no mistake about it, if this happens, as sure as night follows day, we will be back in this chamber in a number of years talking about the same problems, only worse again."

Pearse Doherty and Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald arrive at Leinster House in Dublin ahead of the first sitting of the new Dail since the Irish general election. The 174 TDs will vote by secret ballot to elect a new Ceann Comhairle (speaker). Picture date: Wednesday December 18, 2024.

The Tánaiste accused Sinn Féin of "time-wasting" and "grandstanding" because "we all know that no one has the support yet to be elected as Taoiseach today."

Mr Martin added: "Sinn Féin argued that the party which received the largest vote should lead to government.

"If it was being consistent, it would be in the process of nominating me today."

This led to heckling across the Dáil chamber between the Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin benches.

Ms McDonald received 44 votes in favour of her becoming Taoiseach. Some 110 TDs, including the Labour Party, voted against the idea.

The Social Democrats, Independents Catherine Connolly, Eoin Hayes, Mattie McGrath and Aontú all abstained from the vote.

The Dáil will next meet on January 22, with government formation talks set to take a break over Christmas and resume early in the new year.

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