That "grubby" deal was orchestrated, according to a united opposition, by Michael Lowry, and she has now become tainted by association.

Respect for her was further eroded when, like an inexperienced substitute teacher, she lost total control of the Dáil back in January when politicians convened in an attempt to elect a Taoiseach — a move which had to be abandoned amid utter chaos.

After another two days of disruption in the Dáil this week, the opposition has now said it no longer believes she can carry out her solemn obligations to act without fear or favour, to apply the rules laid down fairly and impartially and to uphold the rights of every single elected member.

Members of the opposition have, with relative regularity, reached for a motion of no confidence in ministers as a way of venting fury and frustration and at times it has been used out of pure devilment. 

But pressing a vote of no confidence in the chair of the Dáil is highly unusual and you have to go back to 2009 when John O'Donoghue resigned in advance of such a ballot after becoming mired in an expenses scandal.

The motion of no confidence itself signed by five opposition leaders, is simple, with just a one line declaration stating that the “ceann comhairle no longer retains the confidence of all members of Dáil Éireann”.

Ms Murphy is digging in, insisting that she fully intends to "continue to carry out the onerous office to which I was elected in accordance with the solemn undertakings I gave the Dáil upon my election".

Despite Ms Murphy's strident intentions, the controversy threatens to have wider implications for the stability and longevity of the current Government.

While the opposition will not have the numbers to pass the motion of no confidence, which is expected to be superseded by a confidence motion tabled by the Government next week, her ability to survive another four-and-a half years when she has barely scraped through the past three months is in doubt.

Serious questions must also be asked of Micheál Martin and his Government.

How can the Taoiseach ignore around 40% of elected representatives who no longer have confidence in the ceann comhairle?

How can he ignore the large rump who will express that through next week's vote?

Ruth Coppinger provided a taster of the accusations that the Government can expect if it continues to protect the ceann comhairle in the Dáil on Wednesday.

Raising the way in which the vote to change speaking rights was handled this week, Ms Coppinger said: "This is in line with anti-democratic measures that parliaments are taking across Europe. 

"They are using their majorities to cut across the right to protest and democratic rights. They are doing it in the UK today cutting welfare rights."

The role of ceann comhairle extends well beyond what can be at times a very difficult task of maintaining order in the Dáil.

Successive chairs have put their own stamp on the role during their time in office. 

Seán Ó Fearghaíl, for example, used his two terms to focus on Dáil reform, introducing a secret ballot for the election of the ceann comhairle and also setting up a taskforce on safe participation in political life, chaired by former Garda commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan.

Before him, Seán Barrett was instrumental in the establishment of Oireachtas TV, which provides the public with real-time access to Dáil debates, committee meetings, and Seanad business.

The ceann comhairle also sits on the Council of State and the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission.

It therefore is a pivotal role with significant responsibilities.

Scrambling and failing to gain control of a controversy over speaking time that has now turned on her, Ms Murphy has yet to give an indication as to what her priorities in office are.

Before she can begin to make her mark, she must find a way to bring the opposition with her.

Ms Murphy may cling on beyond next week's vote, but clawing back the credibility and respect that the position of ceann comhairle requires and usually garners may be impossible.