O'Donoghue a surprise choice as chair of House

Election of Ceann Comhairle:Outgoing minister for arts, sport and tourism John O'Donoghue was elected Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil by 90 votes to 75.

A somewhat unexpected nomination, Mr O'Donoghue told deputies after the vote: "I intend to earn your respect in the fair manner in which I will discharge my duty."

There was considerable laughter when he said: "My door is always open. Any of you who may feel aggravated by any decision of mine will be welcome to come knocking, although this is unlikely as you appear to be a reasonably compliant set of people."

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte had nominated former party leader Ruairí Quinn for the position. He said that Mr O'Donoghue was "known for his partisan views" and while he respected him for those views, to transfer a minister like that from cabinet to be Ceann Comhairle was "not the way to treat the House".

Mr Rabbitte said that for many decades it had been the practice that the Ceann Comhairle was from the Opposition and that practice "had a great deal to recommend it".

He added: "I have no wish to refight the battles of the 29th Dáil or previous Dáils, but many on this side believe that the position of parliament vis-a-vis the executive has been eroded in recent years."

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said it was "only right and proper" to have an election as he backed Mr Quinn's nomination. He paid tribute to outgoing ceann comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon "on the manner in which he conducted his business nationally and internationally on behalf of this House".

Mr O'Donoghue was elected by 90 votes to 75, backed by all the Independent TDs except Tony Gregory who abstained, and he took his place to a standing ovation.

The new Ceann Comhairle promised all TDs that he would do his best "to deal fairly with each and every deputy in the House".

Acting Progressive Democrats leader Mary Harney said Mr O'Donoghue's wit and humour would be missed in the cabinet room. "You have been a loyal and committed colleague of mine for the past 10 years and I thank you for that."

She said he was a "quintessential Irishman", whose legal background would assist him in his new position.

Mr O'Donoghue's Kerry South constituency colleague Jackie Healy-Rae wished him "many long and happy years in the chair you're now sitting in" and said he had played a "leading role" in sending him to the Dáil as Mr O'Donoghue's director of elections.

To applause and laughter, he said: "If there is a bad pothole around Waterville, on Dursey Island in west Co Cork or anywhere in Cahirciveen [ Mr O'Donoghue's home town], I will do my very best in your absence to sort them out and I will keep you informed all the time."

The new Ceann Comhairle replied: "I assure the deputy I will never be far away."

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern congratulated him and said his long experience as TD and minister would equip him well for this important office.