Cuirim-se os comhair na Dála go dtoghfar Mícheál O h-Aodha mar Ceann Comhairle. The first business on the Agenda is the election of Speaker, and it is with very great pleasure I propose Mícheál O hAodha be appointed Ceann Comhairle.
When the third Dáil reached the end of its labours practically unanimous appreciation of the work of the Ceann Comhairle was made by the various members constituting the third Dáil, and tributes were paid to the dignity, harmony, and ability which he had displayed in that very high office. He conducted the business of the Dáil with very conspicuous ability during an exceedingly trying and strenuous time. He had mastered the rules of debate and the orders of the Dáil, and he gave very general and complete satisfaction to all the various parties constituting the Dáil. I think it will be admitted that a very able Chairman may not get the opportunity of showing his ability, but there is no doubt that the great ability which the Ceann Comhairle showed during the third Dáil won for him such appreciation and co-operation from all sections of the Dáil that a more popular selection could not have been made or a more satisfactory one from the point of view of the business of the Dáil.
It is, I think, unnecessary to go into the very many qualifications which the Ceann Comhairle possesses, not the least of which was his complete mastery of the Irish language and the fact that he was enabled to conduct the business of the Dáil in that language at all times and that he gave it its rightful place in this, the first Assembly of the Nation. I am convinced, personally, and I believe the view is shared generally and generously by the other members of the Dáil that it would not be possible to secure a more capable and efficient Ceann Comhairle. I do feel a very great personal pleasure in moving that he be elected Chairman of this Dáil. I do not believe that it would be possible to get a member of the Dáil more capable of getting contributions from all sides towards the conduct of its business in a manner befitting a dignified Assembly, such as we all hope the fourth Dáil will be. I therefore formally propose that the Dáil do elect Mícheál O hAodha as Ceann Comhairle.
