Government clarifies proposal on Ceann comhairle selection

THE Government has moved to avert a row with the Ceann Comhairle's office over a new proposal on the method of appointing the office-holder.

Following a report in yesterday's Irish Times, the Government Chief Whip, Mr Jim Higgins, said it was not the Government's intention to provide for "continuity in office" for the Ceann Comhairle on the same terms as a government.

He conceded that the wording of the Government's proposal contained in its Oireachtas reform package published earlier this week, was ambiguous. "It is proposed that the election of the Ceann Comhairle in a new Dail should be regularised, to provide for continuity in office in the event of a new Ceann Comhairle not being elected at its first sitting, it stated.

Mr Higgins moved to resubmit the Government's proposed changes after indications that the Ceann Comhairle's office was taking legal advice on their constitutionality.

Acknowledging the constitutional position of the Ceann Comhairle as the independent chairman of the Dail, Mr Higgins said the Government was merely moving to change the Dail's standing orders in the event that a Ceann Comhairle could not be elected on the first sitting day of a new Dail. It was the Government's intention, in this event, that the former Ceann Comhairle would be proposed to the Dail and elected by members.

The proposal will be considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges before being debated in the Dail.