The opposition has called on Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy to resign over her handling of yesterday’s chaotic Dáil session.
It follows chaos in the Dáil chamber yesterday, during the latest saga in the speaking rights row.
Sinn Féin and Labour have threatened a confidence motion, if Verona Murphy doesn’t go willingly.
Opposition leaders had a meeting this morning to discuss the way forward and decided that when leaders questions begun, they would essentially issue an ultimatum to Verona Murphy.
Opposition leaders outside Goveernment Builings, Dublin, speaking to the media where they said they do not have confidence in the speaker of the Dáil Verona Murphy. Picture date: Tuesday March 25, 2025.Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald spoke for the joint opposition in the chamber, saying: “Yesterday, Taoiseach, you took a sledgehammer to the rules and procedures of the Dáil and you were assisted in this task by the Ceann Comhairle.
“Ceann Comhairle, not alone have you lost the confidence of the entire opposition, you have, in fact, decimated it and the Dáil cannot function properly whilst you remain in the chair.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin defended the impartiality of the chair.
“From the very get go of this Dáil, you have made the life of the Ceann Comhairle impossible,” he said.
The opposition, however, is dogged in its insistence Murphy goes.
“To be clear, if necessary, we will move a no confidence motion,” Deputy McDonald said.
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Michael Lowry smirked through criticism of him and the two fingers he gave Paul Murphy yesterday in a video published on social media.
“Somebody who gave two fingers to the public yesterday and then went and gaslit the population that he hadn't actually done it,” a TD claimed.
It remains unclear whether she will resign or tough it out, as if it does come to a vote in the Dáil, she would have the support of the Government and the majority vote.
With that said, no Ceann Comhairle in the history of the Dáil has gotten by without the cooperation and the support of the opposition.
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If it comes to pass that she is removed, she would only be the second person to be forcibly removed as count Ceann Comhairle, the other being John O'Donoghue, who resigned over an expenses scandal.
The intense exchanges are continuing in the Dáil this afternoon, with Verona Murphy appearing to write a speech on the back of an envelope.
We'll see if she delivers any comments on her future in the Dáil chamber in the next few minutes.
Verona Murphy. Image by: OireachtasTV
