2016 Ceann Comhairle election

The 2016 election of the Ceann Comhairle took place on 10 March 2016 at the commencement of the 32nd Dáil. It was the first election to be performed by secret ballot.

2016 Ceann Comhairle election

10 March 2016
Turnout	99.4%
Nominee Seán Ó Fearghaíl Andrew Doyle Maureen O'Sullivan Party Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Independent 1st preference 56 (35.7%) 32 (20.4%) 24 (15.3%) 2nd count 60 (38.2%) 48 (30.6%) 25 (15.9%) 3rd count 61 (40.4%) 48 (31.8%) 42 (27.8%) 4th count 74 (56.5%) 58 (43.9%) Eliminated Final count 95 (78.5%) Eliminated   Nominee Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin Bernard Durkan Party Sinn Féin Fine Gael 1st preference 24 (15.3%) 21 (13.4%) 2nd count 24 (15.3%) Eliminated 3rd count Eliminated
Ceann Comhairle before election Seán Barrett Fine Gael Elected Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl Fianna Fáil

Rules

Under the new rules for the election of the Ceann Comhairle, introduced during the ante-penultimate sitting of the 31st Dáil on 28 January 2016, candidates must 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 Nominations had to be submitted to the Clerk of the Dáil by 18:00 on 9 March 2016 in order to be valid, but could be withdrawn at any time up to the close of nominations.

As more than one candidate was nominated, the Dáil 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 the single transferable vote system. 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 the presiding officer of the House during the election process.

Candidates

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 Smith to get the nomination. 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.

Result

2016 election: Ceann Comhairle

Party		Candidate	FPv%	Count
				1	2	3	4	5
	Fianna Fáil	Seán Ó Fearghaíl	35.7%	56	60	61	74	95
	Fine Gael	Andrew Doyle	20.4%	32	48	48	58
	Independent	Maureen O'Sullivan	15.3%	24	25	42
	Sinn Féin	Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin	15.3%	24	24
	Fine Gael	Bernard Durkan	13.4%	21
Electorate: 158   Valid: 157   Spoilt: 0   Quota: 79   Turnout: 99.4%

First preference vote Ó Fearghail   35.7% Doyle   20.4% O'Sullivan   15.3% Ó Caoláin   15.3% Durkan   13.4%

Final percentage Ó Fearghail   78.5%