Election 2024

Verona Murphy’s path to Ceann Comhairle role marked by controversy

Outspoken Independent TD was deselected by Fine Gael as a candidate for 2020 general election following comments about asylum seekers

Independent TD Verona Murphy in her office at Leinster House, Dublin, after she was elected as the new Ceann Comhairle. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Independent TD Verona Murphy in her office at Leinster House, Dublin, after she was elected as the new Ceann Comhairle. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Cormac McQuinn's picture
Cormac McQuinn
Wed Dec 18 2024 - 15:04

The new Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy, was well known to the public even before she entered politics.

She first came to prominence as the president of the Irish Road Haulage Association when she was a frequent voice on the threats posed to the industry by Brexit.

Such was her public persona that she selected by Fine Gael to run in the 2019 byelection in Wexford.

However, there was controversy from the very start of her political career over remarks she made about asylum seekers during the election campaign.

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She apologised for saying that Islamic State (Isis) was a “big part” of the migrant population in Ireland and that some asylum seekers may need to be “reprogrammed”.

Unsuccessful in that election bid, Fine Gael quickly deselected Ms Murphy as a candidate for the 2020 general election.

Taoiseach Simon Harris, then the minister for health, said at the time: “I think that anybody who engages in stoking what I believe to be unfounded racist fears has no place in the Fine Gael party.”

Regardless of the controversy, Ms Murphy was subsequently elected and she became one of the more outspoken TDs in the Dáil – her speaking rights boosted by being a member of the Regional Group of Independents.

She was a member of the powerful Public Accounts Committee, known for her strident grilling of public servants appearing before it.

An assiduous constituency politician, she has also built up a formidable operation in Wexford, with five independent councillors in her camp winning local authority seats in the election last June.

She topped the poll in Wexford herself in last month’s general election and has been a key member of the new Regional Group of Independents, some members of which are seen as likely options to back a coalition government between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Last week, in an interview with Southeast Radio, Ms Murphy was asked if she fancied the role of Ceann Comhairle.

She said she would be using her mandate for the “betterment of Wexford” and she said the holder of the role has access to every minister including the taoiseach.

She said: “I have no doubt I’m certainly in a better position as Ceann Comhairle to influence and deliver for Wexford than I would be as a TD in opposition.”

The role of Ceann Comhairle is by tradition precluded from active participation in politics but the holder of the office remains free to make representations on behalf of constituents.

On Tuesday Fianna Fáil’s Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne spoke up at a meeting where his party was discussing who it would support to be Ceann Comhairle was discussed.

Like Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil recommended that its TDs back Ms Murphy.

Mr Byrne highlighted concern he said was held by elected representatives in Wexford over “whether we can be certain that Verona Murphy will be fair, impartial and respectful of all members”.

He said that she had previously “named and criticised, under Dáil privilege, a number of local councillors” and suggested she should apologise to them adding: “That would show that she has respect for other politicians.”

In her pitch to TDs as she sought their votes on Wednesday Ms Murphy highlighted how she had stood in on occasion and deputised for the Ceann Comhairle in the last Dáil.

She said: “In that regard I believe I carried out my duties with respect and impartiality.” She said the experience had prepared her for the position of Ceann Comhairle.

A mother of one, the 53-year-old is the first woman to hold the Ceann Comhairle role.

Ms Murphy also told TDs that her election would “signify a very diverse, inclusive and forward-looking 34th Dáil”.

She promised that she would “execute the office of Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann without fear or favour”.