2020 Ceann Comhairle election

The 2020 election of the Ceann Comhairle took place on 20 February 2020 at the commencement of the 33rd Dáil.[1] It was the second election to be performed by secret ballot.

2020 Ceann Comhairle election
20 February 2020
 
Nominee Seán Ó Fearghaíl Denis Naughten
Party Fianna Fáil Independent
1st preference 130 28
Ceann Comhairle before election

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Fianna Fáil

 Elected Ceann Comhairle

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Fianna Fáil

Ceann Comhairle election

Rules

Under the rules for the election of the Ceann Comhairle, introduced during the 31st Dáil, candidates must be nominated by at least seven other members of Dáil Éireann. Each member may nominate only one candidate. Nominations must be submitted to the Clerk of the Dáil by not later than 6 p.m. on the day before the first day the Dáil meets after the general election in order to be valid, which for the 2020 general election was 19 February 2020. Nominations may be withdrawn at any time up to the close of nominations.[2][3]

More than one candidate was nominated, so the Dáil will voted by secret ballot in order of preference after the candidates' speeches, which may not exceed five minutes, with an absolute majority required for victory.[4] If no candidate won a majority on first preferences, the individual with the fewest votes would be 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 would continue 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.

Candidates

The Ceann Comhairle of the 32nd Dáil, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, stood for re-election to the position.[3] The only other candidate was Independent TD Denis Naughten.[5] Independent TD Michael McNamara wrote to members seeking their support for his nomination but did put his name forward.[6] Sinn Féin decided not to nominate a candidate.[7]

Result
2020 election: Ceann Comhairle
PartyCandidateFPv%Count 1
Fianna Fáil Seán Ó Fearghaíl 82.3 130
Independent Denis Naughten 17.7 28
Electorate: 160   Valid: 158   Spoilt: 0   Quota: 80   Turnout: 98.75

    Leas-Cheann Comhairle election
    2020 Ceann Comhairle election
    24 July 2020
     
    Nominee Catherine Connolly Fergus O'Dowd
    Party Independent Fine Gael
    1st preference 77 74
    Leas-Cheann Comhairle before election

    Pat Gallagher
    Fianna Fáil

    		 Elected Leas-Cheann Comhairle

    Catherine Connolly
    Independent

    Elections for the Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Deputy Chairperson) were set for 26 March 2020 but deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The election eventually took place on the 23 July 2020. Fergus O'Dowd was seen as the front runner in this election, as he was the Government’s nominee. However, some government TDs either voted in favour of Catherine Connolly or abstained.

    Catherine Connolly was elected by 77 votes to 74.

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    References
    1. "Sean Ó Fearghaíl re-elected as Ceann Comhairle". www.irishexaminer.com. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
    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. "Social Democrats co-leader considers run for Ceann Comhairle post". The Irish Times. 17 February 2020.
    4. "Here's who is in the mix for the job of keeping order in the next Dáil". TheJournal.ie. 17 February 2020.
    5. "Three-way contest for position of ceann comhairle". Irish Examiner. 17 February 2020.
    6. "Independent TD Michael McNamara wants to be Ceann Comhairle". The Irish Times. 18 February 2020.
    7. "Nominations for Ceann Comhairle close this evening". RTÉ News. 19 February 2020.
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