Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 12 May 1939

Vol. 75 No. 18

Resignation of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

An Ceann Comhairle

I have received the following communication from the Leas-Cheann Comhairle:—

"12adh Bealtaine, 1939.

Don Cheann Comhairle.

A Chinn Chomhairle, a Chara,

Is oth liom go mór go bhfuil orm, ar Chomhairle an dochtúra, eirghe as oifig an Leas-Chinn Chomhairle chun ar thoigh an Dáil me sa Pháirlimint seo.

Braithim nach féidir dom san a dhéanamh gan buidheachas do ghabháil leat-sa o chroidhe as ucht an chongnaimh mhóir a thugais dom i gcomhnaí agus as ucht do chineáltais gach tráth, agus do bheinn fé n-a thuilleadh comaoine agat dá gcuirteá in úil don Dáil a mhéid a thaithn sé liom a chúirtéisighe agus a lághachaighe a bhí gach dream sa Tigh liom i bpost nach féidir, fé mar is eol duit féin, gach duine do shásamh.

Ba mhaith liom leis a rá go bhfuaras gach cabhair o Oifigigh na Dála chun dualgaisí m'oifige do chólíonadh."

"I regret very much that I am obliged, on medical advice, to resign from the office of Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to which the Dáil did me the honour of electing me in this Parliament.

I feel that I cannot do so without thanking you most sincerely for the great assistance you have always given me, and, for the kindness you have invariably shown me, and I should be further grateful if you conveyed to the Dáil my appreciation of the courtesy and consideration that every section of the House has shown me in a position in which, as you so well realise, it is impossible to please everybody.

I should also like to acknowledge the ever ready help which the Officials of the Dáil have rendered me in the performance of the duties of the office.

Mise agus árd-mheas agam ort,

(Signed) FIONÁN O LÓINGSIGH."

Mr. MacEntee

I would like to voice the regret which, I am sure, is the feeling of all sections of the House, at the announcement which has just been read to us. Deputy Lynch's conduct in the Chair was distinguished by courtesy, firmness, and dignity and I feel that the House, in losing his services, has lost a very valuable officer.

Mr. Keyes

On behalf of the members of the Labour Party, I, too, wish to express very sincere regret that owing to ill-health the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, who has filled the office with impartiality and courtesy, has to vacate that office. I trust his illness is not of a serious nature and that he will be fully restored to health in the near future.

Mr. Cosgrave

I should like to express regret that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle has felt it necessary to vacate the office. He discharged his duties with singular capacity, courtesy and goodwill towards every member of the House. We regret very much that we will not be able to avail further of his services. We hope that his health will be speedily restored.