After a day of confusion, contradiction and just a hint of chaos, one moment made it crystal clear where the Dáil speaking rights row is likely to go next - and, just as importantly, who is now firmly in the political firing line.

As an until recently rare joint Opposition press conference began to wind down, Opposition leaders were asked for a show of hands on whether they still have confidence in Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.

No hands went up. All stayed down.

A stony silence speaking volumes.

That clear message had been indicated throughout the joint opposition event, as the leaders of Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, Independent Ireland and the Green Party all made it clear who has become their new target.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was first to raise the issue, saying she was "very troubled" by what she said was "the Ceann Comhairle's part in ramming through" the Government's speaking rights plans.

"I don't recall in my time anything like this happening, it's absolutely disgraceful," Deputy McDonald said

She added: "I don't think anybody can have confidence in what we witnessed today, certainly very significant damage has been done today."

Deputy McDonald's view was quickly repeated by other Opposition leaders, including Labour's Ivana Bacik.

"I was particularly dismayed and disappointed to see the Ceann Comhairle push through the order of business in the face of clear opposition from members of the Opposition," she said.

"We're still processing what happened today because it is unprecedented, it was extraordinary to see how the business was conducted by the Ceann Comhairle and the Government today.

"It certainly will not end here for us," Deputy Bacik added.

Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan added his voice to the criticism.

He said the Ms Murphy's comments "sounded very much like she was making a statement that was in favour of what the Government is doing", and that "there are very serious" questions for her to answer.

That view was echoed by Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins and Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman - not exactly the most likely of kindred political spirits - before Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit gave his thoughts:

"I said it to the Ceann Comhairle today, that [what happened in the Dáil] was orchestrated, what happened today looked in every single way orchestrated," said.

Mr Boyd Barrett added: "It happened too quickly, it was too organised, how they put through a vote that clearly was not agreed, how they suspended questions of promised legislation, how even when the two tellers who were supposed to have signed off on the vote didn't and then immediately Mattie McGrath and Carol Nolan run down pre-prepared to sign off on the vote.

"There was winks and nods going on, the whole thing looked orchestrated, it's sad that the Government have dragged the Ceann Comhairle into this debacle and it raises very serious issues of confidence in the Ceann Comhairle that we're going to have to consider very seriously."

No confidence

Given the repeated use of phrases like "very serious", "questions to answer" and "very significant damage" to the Ceann Comhairle's reputation, among the Opposition at least, the obvious next step would be for a no confidence motion in Ms Murphy.

Such a move would be unprecedented in modern political times, with the last time it came close to happening being during the John O'Donoghue expenses saga in October 2009.

The then Labour leader Eamon Gilmore indicated a no confidence motion would happen - with Mr O'Donoghue ultimately jumping, albeit reluctantly, before he was pushed.

For now, Opposition parties have stopped short of tabling a no confidence motion in the Ceann Comhairle that Dáil numbers would strongly indicate they would lose.

Asked specifically on RTÉ's Six One News about whether her party will table a no confidence motion, Deputy McDonald said, "we've began the discussion in Sinn Féin, we're going to have to reflect on this carefully".

Other Opposition parties have also failed to cross that Rubicon, at least so far, instead saying that they are meeting with their parliamentary parties.

However, Fianna Fáil has been forthright in its ongoing support for the Ms Murphy.

Immediately after the joint Opposition press conference, Fianna Fáil backbench TDs stepped onto the plinth.

The party's whip Paul McAuliffe told reporters that he found today's events "deeply concerning", only not quite in the same way as his Opposition rivals.

"I feel what happened was disproportionate and deeply concerning, particularly the behaviour towards the Ceann Comhairle which can only be characterised as bullying, and certainly there was an unacceptable heckling of Dáil officials in the chamber as well," he said.

That view was repeated in a statement an hour later by Taoiseach Micheál Martin who pushed back at what he argued was an attempt "to bully and intimidate the Ceann Comhairle".

"The prolonged barracking, and the disgraceful lack of respect for the mandates of elected deputies was shocking in its intensity."

What Verona Murphy makes of it all is for now anyone's guess, with an RTÉ News request for comment to date going unanswered.

For now, it's a case of Hamlet without the prince.

But as anyone who has watched Shakespeare's play will confirm, that final scene carries a razor-sharp edge.

Expect more drama to come.