The Ceann Comhairle (Chairman) of Dáil Éireann, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, was a visitor to Institute of Technology Carlow today after accepting an invitation by the Institute’s law society to address its members.
The Ceann Comhairle arrived at the Haughton Building and met with Dr. Eileen Doyle-Walsh, Head of Department of Humanities, Ms Meabh Maher, Head of the Faculty of Business and Humanities and the president of the Institute’s law society, Ger Quinn.
As the 19th Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, Deputy Ó Fearghaíl presides impartially and with authority over the business and proceedings of the House. The Ceann Comhairle is the sole judge of order and has a range of powers and functions, including: calling on members to speak; putting questions to the House; suppressing disorder and enforcing obedience to rulings.
The Ceann Comhairle spoke about his own background in politics as well as his various responsibilities. He said that the most time consuming part of his job is diplomacy: the Creann Comhairle represents Dáil Éireann at international meetings of parliamentarians, conferences of speakers of parliament, The Council of Europe, The European parliament, and is the official host to visiting parliamentary delegations.
He spoke openly and with authority on various questions posed to him by the law students on matters such as parliamentary dress codes, speaking time, Dail attendance and a desire for more women in politics. Following this, a presentation was made to the Ceann Comhairle by the president of the law society.
The Ceann Comhairle is one of several high-profile Irish public representatives to visit the Institute in recent months. Other visitors include: An Taoiseach Leo Varadker TD; Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton, TD; Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD; Minister for Justice and Law Reform Charlie Flanagan, TD; Minister of State at the Dept of the Taoiseach and Defence with Special Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe, TD; and Senator David Norris.
