The Ceann Comhairle says he intends to complete his term in office.

Seán Barrett issued a statement tonight after reports that he may be about to step down.

The Irish Times reported that Labour was getting ready to put forward one of its own party members - possibly Pat Rabbitte - for the post.

However the Ceann Comhairle says he will not be departing before the end of the current Dáil and has work to complete in his wider role as chairman of the Oireachtas Commission.

Seán Barrett has been in the headlines recently after a number of high profile spats in Leinster House. He ejected Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald and was forced to deny that he had criticised Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan’s way of dressing.