O’Dowd rules himself out of Ceann Comhairle contention

Fine Gael TD for Louth Fergus O’Dowd has confirmed he is not contender to be the Ceann Comhairle of the new Dáil Éireann.

The Irish Examiner reported on Tuesday evening that O’Dowd will not be going forward for the role, despite earlier saying that he was ‘actively considering’ running against outgoing Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail.

The deadline for aspirant candidates is 6pm Wednesday, with any TD seeking to contest requiring the backing of at least seven other elected members.

The Drogheda-based TD was re-elected to the Dáil for a fifth term last Monday, receiving a total of 11,282 votes and winning the fourth seat in the constituency. O’Dowd is a former Junior Minister, with responsibility for he NewERA project.