Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 1967

Vol. 231 No. 1

Returns to Writs: Cork and West Limerick. - Election of Ceann Comhairle.

The Taoiseach

Tairgim:

Go dtoghfar an Teachta Cormac Ó Breisleáin agus go raghaidh sé i gCeannas na Dála anois mar Cheann Comhairle.

Toghadh é mar Theachta Dála tríocha bliain ó shoin, agus tá meas agus urraim tuillte aige de bharr a shaothair Pharlaiminte, ní hamháin anseo ach, i gcúrsaí idirnáisiúnta, mar thoscaire don Aontas Eadar-Pharlaiminte agus mar bhall de chomhairle na heagraíochta sin.

Is mór an taithí atá aige ar an gcathaoirleachas: chaith sé roinnt blianta ina Chathaoirleach ar Chomhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall agus ar Choiste Ghairmoideachais an Chontae sin, agus, ar ndóigh, bhí sé in a Leas-Cheann Chomhairle annso ar feadh sé mblian déag. Thaispeán sé comh chothrom, neamhchlaon is atá sé le linn a ionadaíochta, agus ní baol ach go mbeidh a rian san ar ár gcúrsaí amach anseo má thoghfar é inniu.

Mr. Cosgrave

I regret that it is necessary to express our dissatisfaction at the manner in which Deputy Breslin has on occasion as Leas-Cheann Comhairle failed to exercise the duties of his office impartially. However, it is traditional that the office of Ceann Comhairle is above Party politics and in anticipation that Deputy Breslin will discharge his duties impartially when appointed to the position of Ceann Comhairle we do not dissent from the Motion.

Mr. Corish

Aontaímid. We support the motion proposed by the Taoiseach. I do not think there is much more to be said. We can all talk about personal matters but no Chairman will suit everyone, and no occupant of the Chair since 1922 has satisfied everyone. On behalf of the Labour Party, may I express our intention to co-operate to the utmost with the Ceann Comhairle and to help him in the arduous job he will have as Ceann Comhairle of this House?

Chuir an Cléireach an cheist

"Go dtoghfar an Teachta Cormac Ua Breisleáin agus go rachaidh sé i gceannas na Dála anois mar Cheann Comhairle" agus aontaiodh leis d'aon ghuth.

Cléireach na Dála

Iarraim anois, thar bhur gceann, ar an Teachta Cormac Ua Breisleáin, Comhalta do Dhail-Cheanntar Dhun na nGall Thiar Theas, dul i gceannas na Dála.

I now call, in your name, on Deputy Cormac Breslin, Member for the Constituency of South-West Donegal, to take the Chair of the Dáil.

Whereupon Members 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:

Is mór ar fad agam an onóir íontach seo atá tugtha agaibh dom inniú as gur thogh sibh mé mar Chathaoirleach ar Dháil Éireann. Tá mé fíor-bhuíoch díbh as acht na honóra seo a bhronnadh orm.

Tagainn gealltanas don Dáil go ndéanfaidh mé mo dhicheall an obair a rearadh so ceart agus de reir ard-thraidisiún na hoifige go ndéanfaidh mé gach dícheall ionas go mbeidh cothrom na Féinne le fáil ag gach Teachta agus ag gach Páirtí.

Tá mé lándearfa go mbeidh comhar agus cuidiú gach Teachta le fáil agam, nó bítear ag brath go mór air sin le hobair an Tí a dhéanamh go héifeachtach agus go rianúil.

Fellow Deputies, I deeply appreciate the great honour that you have conferred upon me here today by unanimously electing me Chairman of Dáil Éireann and I thank you very sincerely for that tribute and that honour. I assure the Members of the Dáil that, as Chairman, I will endeavour to carry out all my duties in accordance with the high traditions of the office and that I shall do my best to give fair play to every Deputy and every Party.

Deputies

Hear, hear.

An Ceann Comhairle

I look forward to receiving the help and co-operation of every Member, that help and co-operation so necessary in the smooth and efficient running of our affairs here in Dáil Éireann.

I am very grateful to you and I tender to the House my sincere thanks for this great honour.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

Perhaps one of your first duties would be to consider sympathetically my request for your permission to raise on the Adjournment tonight the subject matter of Question No. 59 addressed to the Minister for Education and answered by him on 8th November?

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy in the course of the afternoon.