# Ceann Comhairle
Last week
26th March 2023 - 1st April 2023
# kicking off
Ceann Comhairle threatens to suspend Dáil amid shouting, says public would be 'disgusted'
The Ceann Comhairle got to his feet to call for order after a tense exchange between Pearse Doherty and Micheál Martin
Last month
March 2023
# Dáil row
'You can't handle the answers': Tempers flare as FG and SF clash over eviction ban
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald were involved in a war of words this afternoon.
# Sinn Féin
Govt chief whip seeks Dáil time for McDonald and Doherty to answer questions about SF's financing
In the ‘spirit of transparency and accountability’ SF should make Dáil statements, says Naughton.
This year
2023
# abuse and threats
Female TDs due to meet with Ceann Comhairle over safety concerns
Justice Minister Simon Harris said that issues raised will be taken “extraordinarily seriously”.
Last year
2022
# Dying with dignity
Special committee on assisted dying to be established 'as soon as humanly possible'
TD Gino Kenny said that delays to the establishment of the committee have been “extremely frustrating”.
# well paid job
Ceann Comhairle salary is higher than every other politician except the President
The Dáil speaker job comes with a €227,000 salary, more than €10,000 higher than that of the Taoiseach.
# Kyiv
Ceann Comhairle meets with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Kyiv
The trip to Kyiv was announced by the Ceann Comhairle in early May.
# Ukraine
Ceann Comhairle to visit Kyiv and address Ukrainian Parliament
The trip is due to take place next week.
All time
# Ceann Comhairle
Rolex watch stored in safe at Department of Taoiseach despite requests to sell it for charity
The watch was gifted to Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl when he was visiting the United Arab Emirates in late 2018.
# golfgate
Ceann Comhairle says Clifden golf event was either 'collective crass stupidity' or 'arrogant delusion'
There was public fury over revelations that around 80 guests, including serving and former politicians, attended the golf dinner.
# virtual dáil
Ceann Comhairle tells TDs legal advice says virtual Dáil sittings would be 'unconstitutional'
Seán Ó Fearhaíl said that a number of members had asked if virtual Dáil sittings could be possible.
# FADA OF THE HOUSE
Seán Ó Fearghaíl has been re-elected Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann
Ó Feargháil received 130 votes with Independent TD Denis Naughten receiving 28 votes.
# dáil rows
These two politicians want the job of keeping order in the next Dáil
The Ceann Comhairle will be tasked with sorting out rows in the Dáil, and there’s been a few.
# New Beginnings
The 33rd Dáil is meeting today for the first time - here's how it will play out
A new Ceann Comhairle is expected to be elected today – but we’re unlikely to see a new Taoiseach.
# Ceann Comhairle
Here's who is in the mix for the job of keeping order in the next Dáil
Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy is not ruling herself out of the running for Ceann Comhairle.
# Séan Ó Fearghaíl
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked that €7,700 Rolex watch gifted by UAE be donated
The Rolex had been given to the Ceann Comhairle by the President of the Federal National Council of the UAE, Dr Amal Al Qubaisi.
# Ceann Comhairle
TDs secure permission to challenge decision to refuse 'money message' motion
The High Court granted the permission today.
# argy bargy
Dáil suspended after argument breaks over ‘undemocratic’ money message veto
More than 50 opposition bills have been blocked, despite having majority support in the Dáil chamber.
# votegate
'Deep regret and sincere apologies': Fianna Fáil TDs at centre of voting controversy apologise in the Dáil
The Dáil Committee on Procedure published a report today into the row.
# votegate
TDs must be in designated seats for Dáil votes to take place for time being, Ceann Comhairle says
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl addressed the Dáil on the matter before Leaders’ Questions today.
# belleek house
Ceann Comhairle's office splashes out almost €6,000 on new set of crockery for Oireachtas dining room
The fancy dinner service is used when entertaining visiting delegations.
# Rehab
Ceann Comhairle apologises to Angela Kerins over PAC treatment
In March the Supreme Court ruled the PAC acted unlawfully in its questioning of the former Rehab CEO.
# too expensive
Ceann Comhairle likely unable to keep Rolex given to him by UAE official
The watch, believed to be worth close to €8,000, may be sold and the money used for charitable purposes.
# Kerry
John 'The Bull’ O’Donoghue wants on the Fianna Fáil ticket in next year's local elections
O’Donoghue resigned as Ceann Comhairle in 2009 following an expenses controversy.
# Unanswered questions
Alan Kelly says his questions about the Department of Justice are going unanswered
The Labour TD said the refusal to answer his ‘legitimate’ questions is ‘undemocratic’.
# Beep beep
'Hello, I'm in the Dáil': TDs to be banned from making calls in the chamber
TDs will still be allowed use social media while in the Dáil chamber.
# freedom of debate
Ceann Comhairle establishes expert forum on Dáil privilege
The announcement comes following comments made by TD Paul Murphy about garda testimonies during the Jobstown trial.
# Defamation
Paul Murphy sends letter claiming he was 'defamed' by the Taoiseach
“You were acquitted but that doesn’t mean your behaviour was right.”
# Privilege
Paul Murphy's comments about gardaí to be referred to Oireachtas committee
The Solidarity TD has accused gardaí of lying under oath during the recent Jobstown trial.
# ain't too shabby
'Like he slept in his clothes for a week' - no punches pulled in Dáil dress code complaints
TheJournal.ie has gained access to all public complaints to the Ceann Comhairle regarding the standard of dress in Dáil Éireann.
# holy words
Two TDs say they will break Dáil rules and refuse to stand during the daily prayer
It’s proposed a 30-second moment of silence will take place after the daily prayer.
# resume your seat
'You're trying to shut down discussion': Dáil suspended after Bríd Smith raises Halawa case
The Ceann Comhairle said her contribution was not relevant to the current session.
# snappy dressers
Dáil report shows 'pixie hats and turtleneck jumpers' unacceptable dress for foreign parliaments
The Dáil Committee on Procedure is set to discuss the matter of a Dáil dress code in private session this evening.
# Negotiations
'Future of Irish-Egyptian relations rests on Ibrahim Halawa decision': Ceann Comhairle
A delegation of eight Irish TDs are in Egypt to try and negotiate Halawa’s release.
# dail dress code
'Examining the dress code of other parliaments is ridiculous'
The dress attire of politicians in the Dáil was raised at a recent committee meeting.
# Dáil row
The Dáil was left waiting for 39 minutes today after too few TDs turned up
The Ceann Comhairle criticised TDs while Joan Burton called on Government chief whip Regina Doherty to apologise.
# barrett and kitt
Outgoing Dáil Chairmen paid €17,626 in February and March, despite overseeing just four hours of debate
As Ceann Comhairle and Leas Ceann Comhairle, Seán Barrett and Michael Kitt continued to be paid salary and expenses, even when the Dáil was broken up for the election.
# Explainer
What exactly happens when the new Dáil sits on Thursday?
It’s all change in Leinster House following the election. So what happens now?
# New chair
These are the TDs in the mix for one of the most important jobs in the new Dáil
Before they try to elect a Taoiseach, TDs will have to elect a new Ceann Comhairle next week.
# Silenced
Instead of being kicked out, Peter Mathews was just completely ignored in the Dáil today
The independent TD’s spat with the Ceann Comhairle rumbles on.
