Naughten makes bid for Ceann Comhairle job
With just hours to go before nominations close for the position of Ceann Comhairle in the 33rd Dail, Independent Roscommon TD, Denis Naughten, has declared his intention to make a bid for the coveted role.
Deputy Naughten is one of two contenders for the role - as of this afternoon - with the other being outgoing Ceann Comhairle, Sean Ó Fearghail.
Should the outgoing Ceann Comhairle be re-elected when the 33rd Dail convenes for the first time tomorrow (Thursday), that will leave both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Fein with 37 seats each in the Dail session.
Sinn Féin have confirmed that they will not be nominating a candidate for the role, while Independent Clare TD, Michael McNamara, who had declared his intention to enter the race, has now withdrawn his canditature and tweeted his support for Deputy Naughten.
In a letter circulated to all TD's by Denis Naughten earlier today, he said he was seeking the position of Ceann Comhairle because of the “consistent messages and public frustration with accountability” that he had encountered on the doorsteps during the General Election.
“In an open, questioning culture, we need an effective and questioning parliament, and getting straight answers to straight questions is becoming more difficult in Dáil Eireann” he said.
Urging TD's to keep “an open mind” on which candidate they should support and declaring his intention of serving just one term, Deputy Naughten said he would be outlining his vision for the role of Ceann Comhairle on the floor of the House tomorrow, and said his purpose for taking on the role is to “re-establish the authority of the individual parliamentarians in the interests of our democracy.”
To enter the race for Ceann Comhairle a candidate must have seven TD's sign their nomination papers. Nominations close at 6pm this evening, and the role comes with a salary of €175,699 plus expenses and allowances. That figure includes the basic TD salary of €96,189 and an additional €79,510.