Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I have great sympathy with the amendments and I would love to accept them, but I had to get legal advice on whether the use of "Chairperson" would be more appropriate than "Chairman". In the Constitution the Ceann Comhairle is referred to as the Chairman of Dáil Éireann. The reference appears in a number of places, specifically in Articles 14, 15, 16, 22, 24, 27, 31, 33 and 35. The term used in the Bill is correct from a legal point of view, although the Deputy does highlight a valid point. For legal reasons I cannot accept the amendments but the spirit of what Deputy Murphy is trying to achieve will have to be considered in the review of the Constitution which is due to begin shortly.

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