Seán O Fearghail selected as Fianna Fáil candidate for Ceann Comhairle

Mr O Fearghail was chosen at a parliamentary party meeting this afternoon.

Mr O Fearghail, who was the party’s whip in the last Dáil, was selected by the members over former Education Minister Brendan Smith, Cork North-West TD Michael Moynihan, Donegal TD Pat “the Cope” Gallagher and ex- Public Accounts Committee chairman John McGuinness.

Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan, Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin are also in the running to replace incumbent Seán Barrett.

Fine Gael has said any of its TDs who can get seven nominations will be allowed to contest the position.