The Dáil will debate a motion of confidence in the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy later.
It’s expected she will comfortably survive the vote – but not without a few bruises.
This is the first time in the history of the Oireachtas a motion of no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle will make it to the floor of the Dáil with Verona Murphy in for an uncomfortable day in the chair.
A number of opposition parties co-signed the motion which is being brought in Sinn Féin speaking time after Ms Murphy’s handling of the speaking rights row last week.
The opposition say she showed a clear bias in favour of the Government – something Murphy categorically denies.
With the backing of the Government and regional independent TDs Murphy will keep her role as Ceann Comhairle.
But her relationship with almost half the Dáil has been seriously damaged and it will be a long road back for her to regain the confidence of many of the TDs she’ll have to work with over the next five years.
