Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jul 1943

Vol. 91 No. 1

Election of Ceann Comhairle.

Eamon de Valéra

Ba mhaith liom an tairisgint seo do chur os cóir na Dála:—

Go dtoghfar an Teachta Proinnsias O Fathaigh chun bheith ina Cheann Comhairle agus go rachaidh sé i gceannas na Dála anois.

Toghadh Proinnsias O Fathaigh mar Cheann Comhairle ceithre huaire cheana agus, o 1933 i leith, níor chuir aoinne in aghaidh an mholta. Taisbeánann sé sin go raibh gach dream agus gach duine sa Tigh sásta leis an gcaoi do rinne sé a chuid oibre mar Cheann Comhairle. Do dhuine ar bith atá ina Cheann Comhairle, no do dhuine ar a bhfuil de chúram díospóireachtaí Dáil Eireann do stiúradh, is riachtanach tréithe fé leith do bheith aige. An chaoi in ar dhein an Teachta O Fathaigh a chuid oibre is comhartha é go bhfuil na tréithe sin aige thar an gcoitcheantacht. Má toghtar é, táim cinnte go ndéanfa sé an obair chó maith san am atá le teacht agus a rinne sé san am atá thart. Tá súil agam go dtoghfar é— agus go dtoghfar é d'aon-ghuth.

I propose that Deputy Proinnsias O Fathaigh be elected once more as Ceann Comhairle. The manner in which he performed his duties during the period of 11 years that he has held the position is the best assurance we can have that he will give satisfaction to everybody in the time before us. He has done so, I believe, in the past. His name has not been opposed for this office since 1933. I have great pleasure in proposing that he be elected as Ceann Comhairle and that he take the Chair.

Seán T. O Ceallaigh

Cuidighim leis sin.

Mr. Dillon

It is acceptable in the Independent Benches that, at least, I should be permitted to associate myself with the words of the Taoiseach in commending Proinnsias O Fathaigh as Ceann Comhairle to the House. Those Deputies of this House who are supported by large Parties feel a certain sense of security that those who stand as Independents may not feel. I should like, from the Independent. Benches, to avail myself of this occasion to express, as an Independent Deputy, my deep appreciation of the impartiality and generosity with which Proinnsias O Fathaigh has discharged the onerous duty of Ceann Comhairle during his term of office. All of us, or at least the spirited ones amongst us, have at times brushes with the Chair. It is ordinary to expect that such things might be remembered, but in the case of Proinnsias O Fathaigh, who has occupied that Chair with such distinction over 11 years, I, at least, am glad to bear testimony of the fact that nobody could have had his rights more fully or, I suggest, more carefully protected than I have, and I am convinced that in the future as in the past, the humblest Deputy of this House will have in Proinnsias O Fathaigh, if he is elected, his stoutest champion and defender against any attempt to deny him the rights inherent in membership of this House.

General MacEoin

Might I add a tribute? I agree with the selection of this House. He has been very fair and just, and I think that can be taken without any doubt whatever.

Mr. Donnellan

On behalf of Clann na Talmhan, while we are new to this House, I am delighted as a Galway man, to hear the kind words expressed by different Deputies about another Galway man.

Question—"That Deputy Frank Fahy be elected and do now take the Chair of the Dáil as Ceann Comhairle"—put by the Clerk and unanimously agreed to.

Whereupon the Deputies 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:—

A Chó-Theachtaí, is mór an gradam do dhuine é thogha ina Cheann Chomhairle, agus is mór ar fad agamsa an onóir atá tugtha agaibh dom mé d'ath-thogha chun na hoifige. Táim fíor-bhuidheach díbh go léir as ucht na honóra san. Tá dóchas agam go bhfuighead comhar agus congnamh ón Dáil, mar do fuaireas riamh, chun mo chuid dualgas do chólíonadh go cuibhe ceart, agus tá súil agam go mb'fhiú mé an mhuinín atá curtha agaibh ionam.

It is a great honour to be elected Ceann Comhairle and I feel deeply grateful for having been re-elected to that position. I am thankful to my fellow-Deputies. I feel assured that I shall have in the future as in the past the help and co-operation of the House in the discharge of my duties, without which co-operation my task would be an impossible one. I hope I shall prove worthy of the trust now reposed in me.