Tairgim:
Go gceapfar an Teachta Seán Dunne mar Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
Ba mhaith liom an Teachta Seán Dunne do mholadh mar Leas-Cheann Comhairle na Dála. Molaim an Teachta Dunne mar is é mo thuairim agus is é tuairim ár bPairtí go ndeánbaidh sé obair an phóist go maith nó níos fearr ná aon duine eile sa Tí seo. Is Teachta Dála é le cúig nó sé bliana deág anuas agus tá a fios ag gach éinne go bhfuil an-taithí aige agus go bhfuil sé ábalta an gnó do dhéanamh. Fíor-Ghael is ea é agus mar is eol do gach éinne, tá sé taobh thiar de athbeochan na Gaeilge.
A Cheann Comhairle, I have great pleasure in proposing, on behalf of my Party, that Deputy Seán Dunne be elected Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann. Seán Dunne has been a Member of this House for 16 years and it is, I think, recognised by both sides of the House—as, indeed, it is recognised by the public—that he is an experienced parliamentarian. In particular, I am sure the Members of this House must be aware of how well he is acquainted with Dáil procedure. This arises from the fact that ever since he became a Member of Dáil Éireann, he has been one of the most frequent contributors to debates during his long term as a Deputy. It may also be said for him that, whilst he is able to give and take, and is well equipped to give and take in debates, he is one who does not bear a grudge and is one, therefore, who, if elected to this office of Leas-Cheann Comhairle, would be impartial in his decisions. I have no doubt that he would carry out his functions in a fair and impartial manner.
Furthermore, he is recognised as a true Gael. He is a fluent Irish speaker and we must, therefore, recognise that he has one of the most important qualifications for the post for which we now propose him. Apart from his fluency in the Irish language, he has been, and this again is well known, one who has all his life promoted the advancement of the language.
There is one final comment I should like to make. Every Member of this House should be conscious of what we are now doing. We are electing an officer of the House. This is an important and vital office in Dáil Éireann. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle will preside over debates for approximately half of the time. He will preside over an assembly comprised of three Parties —Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour —and three or four Independents. I believe that the election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle, in view of the importance of the position, is one which should be the responsibility of Deputies of all Parties. As I say, this is a man who will decide very many important issues. This is not just a social or an economic issue. It is not one on which we can have reservations. On social and economic issues, it can be pleaded to be legitimate to abstain in view of certain obligations; but this, let me repeat, is a decision in which we will decide who will be Leas-Cheann Comhairle and my Party believe that, because it is such a decision, we should give a positive expression of our choice, not by silence and not by default.
