Cork TD rules out going for €255k Ceann Comhairle job 

Cork North-West Fianna Fáil TD Michael Moynihan has confirmed to The Echo that he will not be putting his name forward to be a candidate for the election of a Ceann Comhairle, the first order of business for the new Dáil when it convenes today.

Mr Moynihan, who was first elected to the Dáil in 1997 and re-elected at every subsequent general election, had been one of the candidates being touted in different media since the weekend as a possible nominee for the role as chairman of Dáil proceedings, a role which carries an annual salary of €255,000 plus the additional advantage that the holder is automatically returned to the next Dáil.

In response to a query from The Echo, Mr Moynihan issued a one-line statement: “I won’t be putting my name forward.”

The Cork North West TD’s name was among several being tipped as possible candidates.

At present there are four definite candidates for the position including the current Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, the Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh, John McGuinness TD, also of Fianna Fáil, and Independent TD from Wexford Verona Murphy.

Mr Ó Fearghaíl told RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s flagship current affairs programme, Adhmhaidin, that he had been called by Tánaiste Micheál Martin to tell him that the Cork South-Central TD was backing Ms Murphy for the post but the Kildare TD said the position of Ceann Comhairle was a matter for the TDs elected to the Dáil and was not the gift of any party in negotiations over government formation.