Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher
Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher has been elected the new Leas Cheann-Comhairle of the Dail.
The 68 year old West Donegal Fianna Fail stalwart defeated Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan by 69 votes to 68, followed by Sinn Féin’s Sean Crowe and Independent TD Mattie McGrath.
The verdict comes after six weeks of negotiations when none of four candidates seeking the job got enough votes.
Deputy Gallagher will receive a €34,000 per year top-up to the TD salary of €87,000.
The post carries the same rank as a junior minister which also brings the right to hire two drivers to drive the office holder’s own car.
