'Sé an chéad ghnó atá le déanamh ag an nDáil anois na Ceann Comhairle do thogha.
The next business is the Election of Ceann Comhairle.
ELECTION OF CEANN COMHAIRLE.
AN CLEIREACH
This is the third occasion during the space of five years that I have had the honour to put before the Dáil the nomination of Deputy Mícheál O hAodha as Ceann Comhairle. I feel a very great personal satisfaction in nominating Deputy Mícheál O hAodha. Whatever other differences we may have had— and time does not appear to have diminished them—I believe those of us who had the honour of being Deputies in the last Dáil and in the preceding Dála, are unanimous in the view that the Deputy I am proposing gave entire satisfaction. The Ceann Comhairle is the custodian of the rights of Deputies. He has been a faithful custodian of these rights. The office of Ceann Comhairle has become, during his tenure, one of the institutions of the State. Worthily filled by great ability, the duties discharged with exquisite tact, courtesy and patience, no man could desire to act with greater satisfaction to every Deputy of the Dáil. It is a very great personal pleasure to me to put before the Dáil the nomination of Deputy Mícheál O hAodha as Ceann Comhairle.
I have the greatest pleasure in seconding the motion just moved. It is only five weeks ago since I said from these benches all that I think is necessary to commend Deputy Michael Hayes to re-election to the office of Ceann Comhairle. It is quite unnecessary to repeat the words of praise and satisfaction, with which every Deputy in the last Dáil agreed, regarding the ability, judgment, tact, courtesy and absolute fairness to all parties of Deputy Hayes while in the Chair. I trust there will be a unanimous vote in favour of the election of Deputy Michael Hayes to the office of Ceann Comhairle.
I desire to express my assent to the proposition of the President. The dignity with which the Chair was filled by Deputy Hayes in the last Dáil made an excellent impression on Deputies of all parties. Deputy Hayes discharged his duties in a manner which would do credit to a legislative assembly in any country in the world.
I should like to support the proposition for the re-election of the Ceann Comhairle of the last Dáil. As an individual member of that Dáil, I can truthfully say that nothing could have been more fair or more dignified than the conduct of Deputy Hayes as Chairman of that assembly. It is with great pleasure that I support the election of Deputy Hayes.
As one who did not speak at the close of the proceedings of the last Dáil, I should like to say that I am in hearty agreement with all that has been said regarding the Ceann Comhairle of that Dáil. I think it is extremely fortunate for this State that a Chairman such as Deputy Hayes was available at this particular period. To the many good qualities which Deputy Hayes possesses, and which have been referred to by other Deputies, I would add his possession of a sense of humour.
As a Deputy who ploughed a very lonely furrow in the last Dáil, I have great pleasure in supporting the re-election of Deputy Michael Hayes. I can assure new Deputies that I received nothing but the greatest courtesy and fair play from the Ceann Comhairle of the last Dáil.
Question put: That Deputy Michael Hayes be elected and do now take the Chair of the Dáil as Ceann Comhairle. Agreed.
Whereupon the Deputies present rose in their places and remained standing while the Ceann Comhairle proceeded-to the Dais.
Standing beside the chair, the Ceann Comhairle addressing the Dáil said:—
Táim ana-bhuidheach don Dáil mar gheall ar me thogha arís mar Cheann Comhairle. Tuigim cad é mar onóir é. Níl agam ie rá ach go ndéanfad mo dhícheall san aimisir atá le teacht chun gach éinní bhaineas leis an árd-oifig seo do dhéanamh mar ba cheart.
I appreciate greatly the honour which has been conferred on me by the Dáil in again electing me unanimously to this Chair. I have only to say that I will do my best in the future to carry out the duties of the office.