Ceann Comhairle election, 2016
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The 2016 election of the Ceann Comhairle took place on Thursday 10 March 2016 at the commencement of the 32nd Dáil. It was the first to be performed by secret ballot.
Under the new rules for the election of the Ceann Comhairle, introduced during the antepenultimate sitting of the 31st Dáil on 28 January 2016, candidates needed to be nominated by at least seven members of Dáil Éireann. Each member was allowed to nominate only one candidate. Nominations had to be submitted to the Clerk of the Dáil by 18:00 on 9 March 2016 in order to be valid, but could withdrawn at any time up to the close of nominations.
As more than one candidate was nominated, the House voted by secret ballot in order of preference after the candidates' speeches, with an absolute majority required for victory. As no candidate won a majority on first preferences, the individual with the fewest votes was eliminated and their votes redistributed in accordance with their next highest preference, under a voting system known as the alternative vote (misleadingly described in Dáil standing orders as the "proportional representation single transferable vote"). Eliminations and redistributions continued until one member received the requisite absolute majority. Then, the House voted on a formal motion to appoint the member in question to the position of Ceann Comhairle. The Clerk of the Dáil was to be the presiding officer of the House during the election process.
The Ceann Comhairle of the 31st Dáil, Seán Barrett, said he would not seek re-election to the position.Fine Gael's John Deasy was reported to be interested in the role.Fianna Fáil selected Seán Ó Fearghaíl as their candidate at a parliamentary meeting on 7 March 2016. Ó Fearghaíl overcame Pat the Cope Gallagher, John McGuinness, Michael Moynihan and Brendan Smyth to get the nod.Sinn Féin selected Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. The Independent Alliance was also reported to be in "serious discussions" about selecting a candidate.Maureen O'Sullivan emerged as a contender after she announced her interest in the role and was named favourite to succeed by The Irish Times.
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