Verona Murphy's election as Ceann Comhairle of the 34th Dáil marks a significant moment in the history of that office.
As a direct result of the ongoing coalition negotiations, the Wexford TD is the first woman to be elected to the position and now takes charge of all aspects of the conduct of TDs in the lower house.
She will also chair the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, overseeing the running of Leinster House and the Dáil and the Seanad.
As she dons the Ceann Comhairle's robes she may well reflect on her six-year political journey from rejected Dáil candidate to Wexford poll topper and now chairperson of Dáil Éireann.
Prior to entering politics, Ms Murphy was a businesswoman, haulage company owner and representative for the haulage industry.
She was elected president of the Irish Road Haulage Association in 2015 and led that organisation as she took her first foray into politics in 2019.
Mick Wallace’s election to the European Parliament caused a by-election in Wexford that year and Fine Gael announced Ms Murphy would be the party's candidate.
However, her campaign was soon engulfed in controversy over comments she made about migrants and Islamic State.
Fine Gael's discomfort with its candidate's views became apparent, then party leader Leo Varadkar avoided campaigning with her and she ultimately failed to get elected.
Despite apologising for those comments, she was subsequently deselected by Fine Gael from running in the 2020 General Election, after which came barbed exchanges between Ms Murphy and the party.
However, she was not deterred and ran as an independent, taking a seat in the then five-seat constituency.
In the years that followed, she garnered a reputation as an able and confident public representative and media performer, developing a national profile as well as being a regular presence at events around her constituency.
That all led to the local elections earlier this year, when she organised 12 candidates to run under the banner of Wexford Independent Alliance.
Success for five of the 12 followed, all of whom now sit on Wexford County Council.
After that boost, the Ramsgrange native had a wind at her back going into last month's General Election.
That showed when the votes were counted.
Ms Murphy topped the poll, exceeding the quota and taking the first seat. Now a new chapter has opened up.
As Ceann Comhairle, her seat is assured after the next election as the holder of the office is automatically returned to the Dáil.
She is also set to get a massive pay increase on top of her existing TD salary.
TDs earn €113,680 a year but her new position attracts an additional €141,513 annually, bringing her salary to €255,000 for as long as she stays in the job.
The pay packet exceeds that of the Taosieach by €12,000.
There is also an additional perk of a State car and driver.
If it was not clear already the election of Ms Murphy as Ceann Comhairle represents a significant confidence-building step between the two big parties and independent TDs.
Coalition talks with them had already got off to a good start.
Honouring the request of those independents to elect Ms Murphy means agreement now looks more certain than ever although that will not be finally delivered until the New Year.
