Howlin has 'no interest' in taking the chair

LOOKING AHEAD:LEAS-CHEANN Comhairle Brendan Howlin last night said he had "no interest" in becoming chairman of the Dáil.

Mr Howlin, the Labour TD for Wexford, said he had already told his party leader, Eamon Gilmore, that he did not want to become Ceann Comhairle.

“I indicated to my party leader long ago that I’m not interested. I’m chairing the party’s policy committee, tasked with preparing the manifesto for the next general election. That will be my focus. I’ve no interest in becoming Ceann Comhairle.”

Mr Howlin paid tribute to John O’Donoghue, who late last night announced he would resign from the job next week.

“On a personal basis I deeply regret events have unfolded as they have for John and I wish him well into the future,” Mr Howlin said.

Mr Howlin said he had a very good working relationship with Mr O’Donoghue, and praised him for expanding the Oireachtas’s links with broader society over the last two years.

It is expected that Mr Howlin will take over the position temporarily and could preside over the election of a new chairman.

It is understood that the procedure will be for the clerk of the Dáil to go into the chamber to formally notify TDs of the situation after Mr O’Donoghue steps down. A date would then be fixed for the election of a new Ceann Comhairle.

The position is normally filled at the beginning of a new Government’s term, with the clerk of the Dáil acting as chairman until the Ceann Comhairle is elected.

However, having a Leas-Cheann Comhairle in place already would be an unprecedented situation.

According to the Dáil’s standing orders relating to public business, the temporary chair names the TD or TDs proposed and asks members to vote on whether the deputy or deputies should take the chair on a permanent basis.

Given the delicate balance of power in the Dáil, it would suit Fianna Fáil if the Ceann Comhairle came from the Opposition benches, as this would increase the Government’s slim majority.