Seán Ó Fearghaíl | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ó Fearghaíl in 2025 | |
| Ceann Comhairle ofDáil Éireann | |
| In office 10 March 2016 – 18 December 2024 | |
| Deputy |
|
| Preceded by | Seán Barrett |
| Succeeded by | Verona Murphy |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office May 2002 | |
| Constituency | Kildare South |
| Senator | |
| In office 2 June 2000 – 17 May 2002 | |
| Constituency | Agricultural Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1960-04-17)17 April 1960 (age 65) Newbridge,County Kildare, Ireland |
| Party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Dublin City University |
Seán Ó Fearghaíl (pronounced[ˈʃaːn̪ˠoːˈfʲaɾˠiːlʲ]; born 17 April 1960) is an IrishFianna Fáil politician who has been aTeachta Dála (TD) for theKildare South constituency since2002. He served as theCeann Comhairle ofDáil Éireann from March 2016 to December 2024. He was aSenator for theAgricultural Panel from 2000 to 2002.[1]
Ó Fearghaíl comes from a farming background, and previously worked forDublin Corporation. He was elected as a member ofKildare County Council in1985. He first stood for election toDáil Éireann in theKildare constituency at the1987 general election, but was unsuccessful.[2] He was unsuccessful again at the1989 general election.
After further defeats at the1992 and1997 general elections, he stood forSeanad Éireann in 1997, as a candidate before theAgricultural Panel, but he was again unsuccessful in seeking election. He won a seat in the21st Seanad following a by-election held in June 2000, after the death of SenatorPatrick McGowan.[3]
Ó Fearghaíl won a Dáil seat on his fifth attempt following the2002 general election, when he defeated the sittingFine Gael TDAlan Dukes.[2] At the2007 general election, he topped the poll and was elected on the first count. He was re-elected at the2011 general election and at the2016 general election.
He was the Fianna Fáilparty whip and Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade from April 2011 to July 2012. In July 2012, he was appointed as Spokesperson on Constitutional Reform, Arts and Culture, and Defence, while retaining the post of party whip. Ó Fearghaíl sentÉamon Ó Cuív a letter gagging him during theEuropean Fiscal Compact referendum campaign, after Ó Cuív expressed his own opinion of the Compact against the party's wishes.[4]
He waselected as Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, by its members, at the first sitting of the32nd Dáil on 10 March 2016.[5] This was the first time the position was filled by secret ballot. He wasre-elected to the position at the first sitting of the33rd Dáil on 20 February 2020.[6][7]
On 22 November 2021, Ó Fearghaíl began self-isolating andworking from home after testing positive forCOVID-19.Leas-Cheann ComhairleCatherine Connolly took over his duties.[8]
In May 2024, Ó Fearghaíl convened theTask Force on Safe Participation in Political Life, chaired by formerGarda CommissionerNóirín O'Sullivan.[9][10]
At the2024 general election, Ó Fearghaíl exercised his right of automatic election as outgoing Ceann Comhairle. Before the election, he indicated that he would not seek re-election as Ceann Comhairle, and would return to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.[11] After the election, it was reported that he was considering a third term.[12] He stood at the2024 Ceann Comhairle election but was not elected.[13]
Following Fianna Fáil's disastrouspresidential election campaign in 2025, senior TDs Seán Ó Fearghaíl,Willie O'Dea andPat 'the Cope’ Gallagher issued a statement criticising the leadership's handling of the campaign and its aftermath, with reference to "the top-down autocratic style of politics" within the internal culture of the party.[14]
In his role as Ceann Comhairle, Ó Fearghaíl has been a vocal supporter of Chinese Government policy and increasing ties between Ireland and China.[15] In 2018, he warned Teachtaí Dála and Senators that contact with Taiwan would "offend the Chinese government", and could damage Ireland's business and diplomatic relationship with China.[16] Accusations of lobbying the Irish Government and political parties on behalf of the Chinese government were leveled by members of the Oireachtas in November 2020.[17] Ó Fearghaíl has also praised China's human rights record and economic policies.[18][19]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Ceann Comhairle ofDáil Éireann 2016–2024 | Succeeded by |