Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 1967

Vol. 230 No. 12

Retirement of Ceann Comhairle: Report of Clerk of Dáil.

Clerk

Fuair mé an sgéala seo a leanas ón gCeann Comhairle: I have received the following communication from the Ceann Comhairle:

7 Árd na Gréine, Ennis.

October 31st, 1967.

Peter O'Connell, Esq.,

Clerk,

Dáil Éireann.

Dear Mr. O'Connell,

Will you please acquaint Dáil Éireann that I intend to retire from the office of Ceann Comhairle as from Tuesday the 7th day of November, 1967.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation of the kindness, courtesy and consideration I received from all Deputies over whose deliberations I had the privilege of presiding, during my term of office.

I would also like to thank the members of the staff of Oireachtas Éireann, every one of whom gave me, on all occasions, complete, reliable and invaluable service.

I remain,

Yours sincerely,

(Signed) PATRICK HOGAN,

(T.D. Clare).

The Taoiseach

I am sure I am speaking for all sides of the House when I say that it is a matter of profound regret to us that the Ceann Comhairle should have retired from that position. During his 16 years as Ceann Comhairle, he has filled the Chair of this House with quiet distinction, exercising over all of us a firm but courteous restraint in the midst of even the most heated debate. He commanded the respect of Deputies of all Parties as an authority on the rules and procedures which govern our debates and he won our complete confidence in the impartiality of his decisions on questions of order. His links with the Chairmanship of the Dáil go back to its earlier formative years when he was Leas-Cheann Comhairle. He has contributed in no small way to the development of our parliamentary process.

Mar a dúirt mé, is cúis díomá dúinn uile go bhfuil an Ceann Comhairle ag éirí as an oifig sin. Táimíd faoi chomaoin aige as a dhílse agus a dhúthrachtaí a chomhlíon sé dualgaisí a phost mar Ceann Comhairle agus, roimhe sin, mar Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Thuill sé meas agus muinín ó gach taobh an Tí as ucht an údarás agus an cothromas a thaispeán sé i gceannas ar dhíospóireacht, dá acrannaí a bheadh sé. Bhí sé teann agus cineálta mar ba ghá, agus chuidigh sé go mór ar an mbealach sin le sibhialtacht i gcúrsaí Parlaiminte na tíre.

Gura fada buan é.

Mr. Sweetman

In the absence of Mr. Cosgrave, Sir, who is in Cork, may I associate Fine Gael with the statements made by the Taoiseach? We wish Deputy Patrick Hogan of Clare, as he now is, many years of health and happiness in his retirement. Everyone knows that the office of Ceann Comhairle is one that requires unremitting attention and it is only appropriate, therefore, that in his years of retirement, he would have that relaxation and health and happiness that I know every member of this Party wishes him.

Mr. James Tully

I would like on behalf of Deputy Corish and the other members of the Labour Party to be associated with the remarks of the Taoiseach. Deputy Hogan, during his period of office as Ceann Comhairle, did not always meet with the agreement of Members of this House but afterwards on reflection, I think all of us realised that he was in fact giving the exact ruling and was taking the correct attitude. He graced the Chair with dignity and that dignity he attempted, fairly successfully, to maintain in the House. I, too, and we in the Labour Party wish him long life and happiness and a long time representing Clare.