Molaim an Teachta Seán Ó Loinsigh chun bheith ina Thaoiseach.
I recommend to Dáil Éireann Deputy John Lynch for appointment as Taoiseach.
Nomination of Taoiseach.
Cuidím leis an rún sin.
Ba mhaith liom an Teachta Liam Mac Cosgair a ainmniú mar Thaoiseach. Creidim go bhfuil géar-ghá ann san aimsir seo le ceannasaíocht nua agus nach féidir le Fianna Fáil a leithéid sin a sholáthair sa lá atá inniu ann.
Pé socrú a dhéanfaídh Teachtaí anois, dá mbéadh vóta ag an bpobal, creidim go gceapaidís an Teachta Liam Mac Cosgair chun bheith i gceannas. Lua nó móll, sé an Teachta Liam Mac Cosgair an fear a cheapfar.
In seconding the nomination made by Deputy T.F. O'Higgins of Deputy Liam Cosgrave, I want to give very briefly to the Dáil some of the reasons why we in Fine Gael feel that he should be nominated as Taoiseach.
The election of 1965 was fought on the slogan "Let Lemass Lead On". Now that Deputy Lemass has decided not to lead the Fianna Fáil Party and has decided for political reasons and not on account of health—and everybody, regardless of what side they are on, are glad that his health is not impaired—it is proper that the only way, in honour, of dealing with the country would be for the Fianna Fáil Party again to go to the country and ask the people to decide what they want to do, now that their slogan is no longer operative.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
Of course we know that since 1965 the leading has been to a year and a half in which we have seen soaring prices and a soaring cost of living, a lack of capital, a credit squeeze, depressed agricultural prices, an increase in the flight from the land and indeed a more difficult time for agriculture than perhaps ever before in the past 20 or 25 years. In those circumstances, we in Fine Gael are clear that the honourable course would be to go to the country and to accept the verdict of the country, whatever it may be, as this Party have always accepted that verdict.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
The manner in which the Fianna Fáil Party have chosen on this occasion deliberately to put their Party before the interests of the country was strikingly revealed by no less a person than Deputy Lemass himself in his press conference on Tuesday when he made it clear that what he wanted to do, above all else, was to ensure that the Fianna Fáil Party would win the elections that lie ahead, the next general election and subsequent elections.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
They have always taken that view. It was nothing new that we had that view put out but it was the first time it was ever quite so brazenly expressed that it was to be Party before country.
In those circumstances, we in this Party are putting forward a man selected by Fine Gael to be their leader, after Deputy Dillon decided, because of his advancing years, that he was not going to stay on as leader, a man selected with decorum and unanimity and without the disreputable Battle of the Knives the country has seen.
(Interruptions.)
Mark you, let the country realise it is a Battle of the Knives that has not yet ended. They will go on sharpening their knives, and their tomahawks, for poor Deputy Lynch just the same.
As I say, we are putting forward a man who came into this Dáil in 1943 and who, in 23 years in Dáil Éireann, has shown at all times a constructive approach to the problems that arise from time to time, a man who has had experience of office in that, as a very young man, he went into the Department of Industry and Commerce in 1948 as Parliamentary Secretary, and, during a long period afterwards, because of the unfortunate illness of the then Minister, Deputy Morrissey, had to carry the full load of that Department, a man who, in 1954, went into the Department of External Affairs and, during his period in that Department, succeeded in ensuring not merely that we would enter the United Nations but that our entry into the United Nations in 1956 would be marked by as statesmanlike a speech as has ever been made on behalf of Ireland.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
In speaking of Deputy Cosgrave's nomination, I am not going to make any comment whatever on the nomination put forward by Deputy Lemass and Deputy Aiken. We have the record of what Deputy Lynch felt about himself, and I am quite happy to take it at that record: he was not a person appropriate to be Taoiseach. I do not wonder that he felt like that with the couple of knives that are being sharpened for him down on his left. The country, when it gets the opportunity, will select Liam Cosgrave as Taoiseach. It would be better for Ireland if he were selected today.
On behalf of the Labour Party, I wish to put forward the name of Deputy Brendan Corish. I do so because of the fact that we have established for many years our intention to fight elections, and an election such as this, as a separate independent Party. We have our own policy and we propose to pursue that policy until eventually we will find ourselves in a position to implement it. It is true that because the Fianna Fáil Party at the present time have not a majority of Deputies, but a majority in this House because of absenteeism, they have the power to elect their nominee as Taoiseach and I have no doubt they will succeed in doing so here today.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
They have not got, as I say, a majority of Deputies in this House. Since the last general election, they have had a majority in this Parliament because of the accident of fate; quite a number of people have not been able to attend and that, more than anything else, has enabled the Fianna Fáil Party to survive the various tests that have taken place here over the years.
The Fianna Fáil Party, the Government of this country for the past 18 months, have been a dismal failure and all sections of the people have indicated on every opportunity they have got their realisation that Fianna Fáil are a failure. We believe the present occasion was one on which this matter could have been settled, and settled for good. We think the Fianna Fáil Party really had no option but to go to the country, if they were prepared to behave as a responsible Party. Knowing that the people were waiting to deal with them in the way in which they should be dealt with, the Fianna Fáil Party decided instead that they would take the safe way out, appoint, if they could, a Taoiseach who would carry on until, as the outgoing Taoiseach has so often said, something turned up around the corner. I hope this Micawberlike attitude will not be carried into the future because, if it is, I can see a very dismal prospect for the country.
The nomination of Deputy Brendan Corish is before the House. We believe that nomination will be voted on. If we get the opportunity, we intend to vote for it. Until that opportunity arises, we intend to vote against any other candidate put forward.
Cuidím leis an dtairiscint. Déarfar, b'fhéidir, gur obair gan tairbhe dúinn é ainm Bhreadáin Mhic Fheorais, Ceannaire Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre a chur faoi bhráid an Tí. Ní mar sin atá ar chor ar bith. Is dearbhú sollúnta é ar neamhspleáchas an Pháirtí seo. Tá rún daingean againn caoi a thabhairt do Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre ag cruinniú Lucht Oibre a thoghadh nuair a bheidh an ócáid chuige sin ann.
Lá i ndiaidh an lae tá sé ag éirí níos soiléire go bhfuil an tacaíocht do Phairtí an Lucht Oibre ag cruinniú nirt. Is fíor é seo go háirithe i gcás na ndaoine óga. Tá dearcadh cruinn cothrom acu. Níl siad dallta ag an searbhas i gcúrsaí polaitíochta mar atá Páirtithe an Chogaid Chathartha. Tá tuilleadh agus tuilleadh acu á spreagadh ag teagasc agus gníomhartha Shéamais Uí Chonghaile agus Shéamais Uí Lorcáin.
Ganntanas tithe, faillí i gcúram na seandaoine, bád na himirce—sin iad na príomhchomharthaí ar shaothar an dreama atá i gceannas faoi láthair. Measann cuid den dream sin, de réir dealraimh, gur acu féin amháin atá an ceart chun an tír a rialú.
Réabfaidh Páirtí an Lucht Oibre na ballaí atá mar chosaint ar dhream seo an chur-i-gcéill agus osclóidh siad machaire na polaitíochta do ghnáthmhuintir na hÉireann—an dream ar dual dóibh é a bheith acu de cheart.
It will doubtless be suggested that, in proposing Deputy Brendan Corish, the Leader of the Labour Party, we are indulging in a fruitless exercise. This is far from being the case. We are engaging, by our own action, in a solemn declaration of intent. It is our determined purpose to provide the nation with the opportunity of electing a Labour Government when the occasion for doing so presents itself. Every day that passes adds to the mass of evidence of growing support for the Labour Party. The youth especially, clear of mind and eye, repelled by the political cynicism which they see in the Civil War Parties, are looking in growing numbers to the ideals of Connolly and Larkin. The housing shortage, the neglect of the aged, the inevitability of the mailboat, are the main features of the society which is the handiwork of those now in power, certain of whom have apparently persuaded themselves that governmental rule is theirs by hereditary right.
A Deputy
By vote of the people.
The Labour Party will break down the walls which shelter the power imposters and will open the political workshops to the plain people of Ireland who are their sole and rightful owners.
The motion is——
Before you put the motion, Sir, I should like to say a few words. As regards my own work in Government, this is a matter of record and I am not going to make any comment on it now. It is finished and the Dáil is now concerned only with the future. The political leadership of the Party has passed to Deputy Jack Lynch. It is a great privilege to me to propose Deputy Lynch as Taoiseach. I believe he has the qualities of intelligence and integrity and the capacity to work which will enable him to become a great Leader and Taoiseach. Time will prove this to be so.
Question: "That Deputy Seán Lynch be nominated as Taoiseach" put.
The Dáil divided: Tá, 71; Níl, 64.
Tá
- Aiken, Frank.
- Allen, Lorcan.
- Andrews, David.
- Blaney, Neil T.
- Boland, Kevin.
- Booth, Lionel.
- Boylan, Terence.
- Brady, Philip.
- Brennan, Joseph.
- Brennan, Paudge.
- Breslin, Cormac.
- Briscoe, Ben.
- Burke, Patrick J.
- Calleary, Phelim A.
- Carter, Frank.
- Carty, Michael.
- Childers, Erskine.
- Clohessy, Patrick.
- Colley, George.
- Collins, James J.
- Corry, Martin J.
- Cotter, Edward.
- Crinion, Brendan.
- Cronin, Jerry.
- Crowley, Flor.
- Cunningham, Liam.
- Davern, Don.
- de Valera, Vivion.
- Dowling, Joe.
- Egan, Nicholas.
- Fahey, John.
- Fanning, John.
- Faulkner, Pádraig.
- Fitzpatrick, Thomas J. (Dublin South-Central).
- Flanagan, Seán.
- Foley, Desmond.
- Gallagher, James.
- Geoghegan, John.
- Gibbons, Hugh.
- Gibbons, James M.
- Gilbride, Eugene.
- Gogan, Richard P.
- Haughey, Charles.
- Healy, Augustine A.
- Hillery, Patrick J.
- Hilliard, Michael.
- Kenneally, William.
- Kennedy, James J.
- Kitt, Michael F.
- Lalor, Patrick J.
- Lemass, Noel T.
- Lemass, Seán.
- Lenihan, Brian.
- Lenihan, Patrick.
- Lynch, Celia.
- Lynch, Jack.
- McEllistrim, Thomas.
- MacEntee, Seán.
- Meaney, Tom.
- Millar, Anthony G.
- Molloy, Robert.
- Mooney, Patrick.
- Moore, Seán.
- Moran, Michael.
- Nolan, Thomas.
- Ó Briain, Donnchadh.
- Ó Ceallaigh, Seán.
- O'Connor, Timothy.
- O'Malley, Donogh.
- Smith, Patrick.
- Wyse, Pearse.
Níl
- Barrett, Stephen D.
- Barry, Richard.
- Burke, Joan T.
- Burton, Philip.
- Byrne, Patrick.
- Casey, Seán.
- Clinton, Mark A.
- Cluskey, Frank.
- Collins, Seán.
- Coogan, Fintan.
- Corish, Brendan.
- Cosgrave, Liam.
- Costello, Declan.
- Costello, John A.
- Coughlan, Stephen.
- Creed, Donal.
- Crotty, Patrick J.
- Desmond, Eileen.
- Dillon, James M.
- Dockrell, Henry P.
- Donegan, Patrick S.
- Donnellan, John.
- Dunne, Seán.
- Dunne, Thomas.
- Esmonde, Sir Anthony C.
- Everett, James.
- Farrelly, Denis.
- Fitzpatrick, Thomas J. (Cavan).
- Flanagan, Oliver J.
- Gilhawley, Eugene.
- Governey, Desmond.
- Harte, Patrick D.
- Belton, Luke.
- Belton, Paddy.
- Hogan, Patrick (South Tipperary).
- Hogan O'Higgins, Brigid.
- Jones, Denis F.
- Kenny, Henry.
- Kyne, Thomas A.
- Larkin, Denis.
- L'Estrange, Gerald.
- Lindsay, Patrick J.
- Lyons, Michael D.
- McAuliffe, Patrick.
- McLaughlin, Joseph.
- Mullen, Michael.
- Murphy, Michael P.
- Murphy, William.
- Norton, Patrick.
- O'Connell, John F.
- O'Donnell, Patrick.
- O'Donnell, Tom.
- O'Hara, Thomas.
- O'Higgins, Michael J.
- O'Higgins, Thomas F.K.
- O'Leary, Michael.
- Pattison, Séamus.
- Reynolds, Patrick J.
- Ryan, Richie.
- Spring, Dan.
- Sweetman, Gerard.
- Tierney, Patrick.
- Treacy, Seán.
- Tully, James.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Carter and Geoghegan; Níl, Deputies L'Estrange and James Tully.
Question declared carried.
Another All Ireland, Jack.
Táim fíor-bhuíoch den Dáil as ucht mé ainmniú mar Thaoiseach. Is mor an onóir dom é. Tá a fhios agam troime na ndualgaisí a bhaineann le post an Taoisigh agus déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall na dualgaisí seo a chomhlíonadh agus iarraim ar Theachtaí ar gach taobh den Tí cabhair agus cúnamh a thabhairt dom chuige sin.
Beith lá eile agam chun freagra a thabhairt ar na pointí a luadhadh i rith na díospóireachta. Is leor liom a rá anois go ndéanfaidh mé gach a bhfuil ar mo chumas mar Thaoiseach mar mhaithe le leas mhuintir na hÉireann. Ní mor dom anois dul go dtí an tUachtarán chun a chur in iúl dó gur ainmnigh Dáil Éireann mé mar Thaoiseach i dtreo gur féidir leis mé a cheapadh mar Thaoiseach. Dá bhrí sin, molaim go gcuirfear an Dáil ar athló go dtí a 3 a chlog mar a h-aontaíodh.
I should like to express to the Dáil my thanks for having nominated me to be Taoiseach. I deeply appreciate the honour that has been conferred on me. Conscious of the heavy responsibilities that are now mine, I request the co-operation and assistance of Deputies on all sides of the House in the discharge of these responsibilities.
During the course of the debate on the motion for my nomination, some things were said to which I should ordinarily have liked to reply, but I do not think this is the appropriate occasion for doing so. All I shall say now is that I shall endeavour to fulfil my duties as Taoiseach to the best of my ability.
I think this is the appropriate time for me to say on behalf of our Party and on my own behalf how sorry we are to see my predecessor leaving the Front Bench. No man has left a greater mark on the progress of this nation than Seán Lemass. As I said already, he has set the highest of standards because these were the only standards he knew and aspired to. I shall do my best to attain these standards.
It is now necessary, Sir, that I should go to inform the President of my nomination so that he may appoint me. For this purpose, I accordingly suggest that the Dáil adjourn until 3 p.m., as, I believe, has been agreed between the Whips. It is also proposed to sit, after the resumption, not later than 10.30 p.m. and, if necessary, to resume at 10.30. tomorrow morning.
Sitting suspended at 11.10 a.m. and resumed at 3 p.m.