Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are facing criticism for asking their TDs to back Verona Murphy in today’s vote for the next Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil.
The 34th Dáil will meet for the first time this morning, with the election of the new Ceann Comhairle the first item on the agenda.
The meeting will also see Sinn Féin nominating party leader Mary Lou McDonald for the role of Taoiseach.
A secret ballot will determine the appointment, however, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have asked their party to vote for Deputy Murphy.
The Wexford TD is a member of the Regional Group of Independent TDs, which is currently in talks with the two parties to form the next Government.
The Social Democrats have labelled the party’s backing of Deputy Murphy a "regressive step which threatens to undo years of work in reforming Dáil practices and procedures".
The 33rd sitting of the Dáil for the announcement of the members of the new Cabinet, RollingNews.ie"A secret ballot for the election of Ceann Comhairle was an important Dáil reform which aimed to ensure TDs across the House could vote for the person they thought would best protect their rights and represent the Dáil," a Social Democrats spokesperson said.
"There are now attempts to erode this progressive reform with two of the larger parties endorsing an Independent candidate.
"Extraordinarily, Fianna Fáil has opted to endorse an Independent candidate despite two Fianna Fáil TDs expressing an interest in the role.
"It is clear that what is happening is a stitch up, by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, who are attempting to use the office of Ceann Comhairle as a bargaining chip in government formation talks."
The Social Democrats will not be endorsing a Ceann Comhairle candidate for this reason.
Other candidates
Three other candidates are on the ticket: Fianna Fáil's Seán Ó Fearghaíl and John McGuinness and Sinn Féin's Aengus Ó Snodaigh.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Deputy Ó Snodaigh said while Deputy Murphy may have the backing of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's leadership, a secret ballot will ultimately determine the next Ceann Comhairle.
"The TDs often, as they have done in the past, voted with their hearts," he said.
"We had the instance in the last Dáil where Catherine Connolly was elected as the Leas Ceann Comhaile, despite the fact that everybody said the Fine Gael nominee would get that position.
"That shows that the backbenchers, those within those parties, use the opportunity of the secret ballot to reflect on the position and make sure the best person gets it."
Party politics
Deputy Ó Snodaigh said it is important for the Ceann Comhairle to act like a referee.
"[They have to be] above party politics once they're appointed," he said.
Sinn Féin are entering the 34th Dáil with 39 seats.
The party have said today that they will vote for leader Mary Lou McDonald to be Taoiseach.
The results of the Ceann Comhairle ballot are expected at 3pm this afternoon.
Feature image shows Verona Murphy, Eammon Farrell/RollingNews.ie
