Cork man among Fianna Fáil TDs tipped for role of Ceann Comhairle in next Dáil
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A number of Fianna Fáil TDs have been tipped to seek the role of purl=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41306641.html]Ceann Comhairle[/url] despite suggestions the incumbent Seán Ó Fearghaíl is set for a third term in the role.
Mr Ó Fearghaíl has held the role since 2016 and has previously indicated he would not seek a third term.
However, it is understood he has been approached in recent days by TDs from across the new Dáil, urging him to seek one more term when the Dáil votes on December 18.
The Ceann Comhairle's role will be filled by secret ballot on the first sitting of the Dáil and guarantees the winner automatic election to the next Dáil.
However, multiple Fianna Fáil sources said reports Mr Ó Fearghail's return to the chair of the Dáil were a foregone conclusion are wide of the mark.
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A number of sources said they would prefer to see the role open to nominations within the party rather than a "rammed through" third term for Mr Ó Fearghail.
One senior party source said they believed a third term for the outgoing Ceann Comhairle would be acceptable because he "has been very good", but said "internally, it wouldn't be great for morale" if there was no contest.
Additionally, there is some suggestion giving the role to Mr Ó Fearghail when he is believed to not want to contest the next general election would be "an odd choice".
There has been some suggestion Mr Ó Fearghail would not serve a full term as Ceann Comhairle and his staying for a third term would merely be because of the large number of new TDs in the Dáil.
In terms of a replacement, there are a number of names being discussed within Fianna Fáil, including Cork North-West's Michael Moynihan and Carlow-Kilkenny's John McGuinness.
Sources said if it were to go to a vote within Fianna Fáil, Mr Moynihan would stand a "good chance", having missed out on the role to Mr Ó Fearghail in 2016.
Mr Moynihan has not commented, but it is understood he would be interested in the position should it be available.
The Ceann Comhairle does not take part in debate or vote, except in the event of a tie, which means the government would need 88 TDs for an effective majority. The election of a Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael TD would leave it with 85.
Sources said there had been no discussion of the role at the party's parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday and Fianna Fáil had yet to discuss with Fine Gael whether or not it would support a Fianna Fáil nominee or would prefer to put forward its own nominee.
Sources in both parties are keen to avoid a repeat of the 2020 debacle which saw Catherine Connolly elected the first-ever female Leas Ceann Comhairle.
She defeated the agreed government candidate, Fine Gael's Fergus O'Dowd, in an embarrassment to the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green Party coalition. The Galway woman won by a margin of 77 votes to 74 in a secret ballot.