FIANNA FÁIL’S longest-serving Oireachtas member has said he wants to be the new leas-cheann comhairle of the Dáil, notwithstanding the party having nominated chairman John Browne for the position.
Galway East TD Michael Kitt confirmed yesterday that he is interested in the position and has contacted Taoiseach Enda Kenny and made his case for being appointed to the role.
However, Fianna Fáil’s spokesman said yesterday that Mr Browne, a TD for Wexford, is the party’s nominee for the position and that was agreed by the parliamentary party several weeks ago.
The spokesman said Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin had spoken to the Taoiseach about the issue and it was the understanding of Fianna Fáil that it was within its gift to choose the nomination.
“Enda Kenny has agreed that it’s a Fianna Fáil position and on that basis it should be in the gift of the party to nominate the candidate. Fianna Fáil’s view is that it should be John Browne,” he said.
There is a tradition within Fianna Fáil of choosing the party chairman to the leas-cheann comhairle position when the party is in Opposition.
The position, effectively vice chairman of the Dáil, is reserved for the opposition but the appointment is made by the taoiseach of the day. The role carries the same pay and status as that of a minister of state.
In 2007, then taoiseach Bertie Ahern bypassed the main opposition party, Fine Gael, when nominating Labour TD Brendan Howlin for the position.
Fine Gael’s spokesman said last night no decision had been made in relation to the position and he was not in a position to confirm if Mr Kenny had left the decision to Fianna Fáil.
Mr Kitt said last night his standing as the longest-serving Oireachtas member in Fianna Fáil made him a suitable candidate – he was first elected to the Dáil in 1975. Mr Browne said he was the official nominee of Fianna Fáil and was awaiting news of when the position was going to be filled.
