New role for Mayo TD 'a signal of general election intentions'

Mayo TD Michael Ring is to be appointed by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission.

The primary function of the commission is to provide for the running of parliament.

It is the governing body which oversees the delivery of services to the staff, elected members and members of the public.

It is responsible for appointing the Clerk of the Dáil and Secretary General of the Houses of the Oireachtas Service.

Deputy Ring will replace Clare TD Joe Carey in the role.

The appointment for the long-serving Westport-based representative, first elected to the Dáil in 1994, is seen within political circles as a clear signal that Deputy Ring will contest the next general election.