So Verona, still looking shell-shocked, stood between the Irish Tricolour and the EU flag and in front of a Jack B Yeats drawing of Countess Markievicz. She smiled, but didn’t utter a word. Another first. The reporters shouted questions.

As part of the government negotiation talks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, the Regional Independents grouping has proposed that Verona Murphy, an independent TD from Wexford, be put forward for the p

Independent TD Verona Murphy has been elected Ceann Comhairle of the 34th Dáil. Deputy Murphy is the first woman to take up the position. The 34th Dáil met for the first time this morning, with the election of the new Ceann Comhairle the first item on the agenda.

Securing the post of Ceann Comhairle for Wexford TD Verona Murphy was the first big ask of the Regional Group of Independents, who are now firmly eyeing up a stint supporting Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government. How that deal was done – and why the group was so keen on that specific position – is the subject of much political chatter.

Ms Murphy is the first female Ceann Comhairle and the first representative from Wexford to hold the prestigious role. It marks an impressive political comeback since her by-election defeat in 2019. The Ceann Comhairle is elected by secret ballot, and Ms Murphy had been backed by Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin.

Verona Murphy has been elected as the new Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, the Wexford TD is the first ever woman to hold the office

Newly elected Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy has said she is "humbled, honoured and privileged" to serve in the role.

Independent Wexford TD Verona Murphy has made Dáil history as the first woman Ceann Comhairle, elected on the third count against three other contenders, Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh, outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl and John McGuinness,

THE 34TH DÁIL made history today by electing the first ever woman to the role of Ceann Comhairle in the Dáil’s 105 year history. That woman is Independent TD for Wexford Verona Murphy. Murphy has had anything but a traditional path into politics,