2016 Ceann Comhairle election

The 2016 election of the Ceann Comhairle took place on 10 March 2016 at the commencement of the 32nd Dáil. It was the first election to be performed by secret ballot.[1]

2016 Ceann Comhairle election
10 March 2016
Turnout99.4%
 
Nominee Seán Ó Fearghaíl Andrew Doyle Maureen O'Sullivan
Party Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Independent
1st preference 56 (35.7%) 32 (20.4%) 24 (15.3%)
2nd count 60 (38.2%) 48 (30.6%) 25 (15.9%)
3rd count 61 (40.4%) 48 (31.8%) 42 (27.8%)
4th count 74 (56.5%) 58 (43.9%) Eliminated
Final count 95 (78.5%) Eliminated
 
Nominee Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin Bernard Durkan
Party Sinn Féin Fine Gael
1st preference 24 (15.3%) 21 (13.4%)
2nd count 24 (15.3%) Eliminated
3rd count Eliminated
Ceann Comhairle before election

Seán Barrett
Fine Gael

 Elected Ceann Comhairle

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Fianna Fáil

Rules

Under the new rules for the election of the Ceann Comhairle, introduced during the ante-penultimate sitting of the 31st Dáil on 28 January 2016, candidates must be nominated by at least seven members of Dáil Éireann. Each member was allowed to nominate only one candidate. Nominations had to be submitted to the Clerk of the Dáil by 18:00 on 9 March 2016 in order to be valid, but could be withdrawn at any time up to the close of nominations.

As more than one candidate was nominated, the Dáil voted by secret ballot in order of preference after the candidates' speeches, with an absolute majority required for victory. As no candidate won a majority on first preferences, the individual with the fewest votes was 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 continued until one member received the requisite absolute majority. Then, the House voted on a formal motion to appoint the member in question to the position of Ceann Comhairle. The Clerk of the Dáil was the presiding officer of the House during the election process.[3]

Candidates

The Ceann Comhairle of the 31st Dáil, Seán Barrett, said he would not seek re-election to the position.[4] Fine Gael's John Deasy was reported to be interested in the role.[5] Fianna Fáil selected Seán Ó Fearghaíl as their candidate at a parliamentary meeting on 7 March 2016. Ó Fearghaíl overcame Pat "the Cope" Gallagher, John McGuinness, Michael Moynihan and Brendan Smith to get the nomination.[6] Sinn Féin selected Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.[7] The Independent Alliance was also reported to be in "serious discussions" about selecting a candidate.[8] Maureen O'Sullivan emerged as a contender after she announced her interest in the role and was named favourite to succeed by The Irish Times.[9]

Result
2016 election: Ceann Comhairle
PartyCandidateFPv%Count 1Count 2Count 3Count 4Count 5
Fianna Fáil Seán Ó Fearghaíl 35.7% 56 60 61 74 95
Fine Gael Andrew Doyle 20.4% 32 48 48 58  
Independent Maureen O'Sullivan 15.3% 24 25 42    
Sinn Féin Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin 15.3% 24 24      
Fine Gael Bernard Durkan 13.4% 21        
Electorate: 158   Valid: 157   Spoilt: 0   Quota: 79   Turnout: 157
    First preference vote
    Ó Fearghail
     
    		 35.7%
    Doyle
     
    		 20.4%
    O'Sullivan
     
    		 15.3%
    Ó Caoláin
     
    		 15.3%
    Durkan
     
    		 13.4%
    Final percentage
    Ó Fearghail
     
    		 78.5%
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    References
    1. Race to be Ceann Comhairle heats up as secret ballot to be used for the first time in election
    2. Dáil Éireann (17 January 2017). "Standing Orders Relative to Public Business; together with Oireachtas Library & Research Service Rules" (PDF) (in English and Irish). Oireachtas. p. 3; S.O. 6(10)(g). Retrieved 31 March 2019. The ballot shall be counted under the Proportional Representation Single Transferable Vote (PRSTV) system.
    3. https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2016-01-28a.158
    4. http://www.rte.ie/news/election-2016/2016/0212/767520-sean-barrett-ceann-comhairle/
    5. Two FF candidates interested in Ceann Comhairle role
    6. Seán O Fearghail selected as Fianna Fáil candidate for Ceann Comhairle
    7. O Caolain TD deeply honoured by nomination for Ceann Comhairle
    8. IA presents Kenny with 'Charter for Change'
    9. Maureen O'Sullivan favourite to be ceann comhairle
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