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]
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| Turnout | 99.4% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rules edit
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 Nominations had to be submitted to the Clerk of the Dáil by 18:00 on 9 March 2016 in order to be valid, but could be withdrawn at any time up to the close of nominations.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 the single transferable vote system.[2][a] 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 edit
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 edit
| Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 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: 99.4% | ||||||||
Notes edit
- ^ Single-winner STV is, in effect, equivalent to instant runoff voting.
References edit
- ^ Downing, John; O’Connor, Niall (3 March 2016). "Race to be Ceann Comhairle heats up as secret ballot to be used for the first time in election". Irish Independent. Dublin. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Standing Orders: Motion". Dáil debates. KildareStreet.com. 28 January 2016. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016.
- ^ "Barrett not seeking re-election to Ceann Comhairle post". RTÉ News. 12 February 2016. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020.
- ^ "Two FF candidates interested in Ceann Comhairle role". RTÉ News. 2 March 2016. Archived from the original on 13 June 2019.
- ^ McConnell, Daniel (7 March 2016). "Seán O Fearghail selected as Fianna Fáil candidate for Ceann Comhairle". Irish Examiner. Cork. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021.
- ^ "O Caolain TD deeply honoured by nomination for Ceann Comhairle". The Anglo-Celt. Cavan. 3 March 2016. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021.
- ^ "IA presents Kenny with 'Charter for Change'". RTÉ News. 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021.
- ^ McGee, Harry (7 March 2016). "Maureen O'Sullivan favourite to be ceann comhairle". The Irish Times. Dublin. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021.