Dinny says “Goodbye”

Donegal Deputy Dinny McGinley told the Dáil it had been a privilege to represent the people of Donegal South-West for so many years in the House.

“I notice that my constituency colleagues, Deputies Pearse Doherty and Thomas Pringle, are present in the Chamber,” he said. “I can assure them without fear of contradiction that I will not be making a comeback this time, unlike what happened ten years ago.”

Deputy Thomas Pringle:  “It is not too late yet!”

Deputy McGinley said had hadconsulted the Official Report to recall his first speech in the Dáil. “I was allowed to speak on the Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 1981 for an hour entirely as Gaeilge,” he said. “I do not think the Leas-Cheann Comhairle would be as liberal with speaking time as his predecessor was on that occasion. I suppose there was length in the speech anyway, whatever about its content. It has been a privilege to serve here under six taoisigh and five leaders of my own party. Since that time, there have been five leaders of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's party and the Labour Party as well. There has been just one leader of Sinn Fein and I suppose he will be here for a while yet. It has been a great privilege to be here.”