Dé réir na mBuan Orduithe, is é an chéad ghnó eile ná Ceann Comhairle a thoghadh. Glacfaidh mé anois le tairiscintí. In accordance with Standing Orders, the next business is the election of a Ceann Comhairle, and I shall now receive motions.
Election of Ceann Comhairle.
Cléireach na Dála
Ba mhaith liomsa Seán Ó Treasaigh a ainmniú mar Cheann Comhairle. I wish to nominate Deputy Seán Treacy for the position of Ceann Comhairle.
Aontaím leis an rún.
Cléireach na Dála
An bhfuil sé sin aontaithe? Aontaithe.
Cléireach na Dála
Tá mé ag cur na ceiste: Go dtoghfar an Teachta Seán Ó Treasaigh agus go rachaidh sé i gceannas na Dála anois mar Cheann Comhairle. I am putting the question that Deputy Seán Treacy be elected and do now take the Chair of the Dáil as Ceann Comhairle. An bhfuil an tairiscint sin aontaithe?
Deputies
Tá.
Cléireach na Dála
Iarraim anois ar an Teachta Seán Ó Treasaigh, Comhalta do Dháilcheantar Thiobrad Arann Theas, dul i gceannas an 25ú Dáil Éireann. I now call on Deputy Seán Treacy, Member for the Constituency of Tipperary South, to take the Chair of this 25th Dáil Éireann.
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:
A Theachtaí, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabáil libh as mé a thoghadh mar Cheann Comhairle Dháil Éireann. Is mór on onóir domsa é. Deirim libh go léir go ndéanfaidh mé mo dhícheall cothrom na Féinne a thabhairt do gach uile Theachta anseo agus iarraim oraibhse cabhrú liomsa chun dualgais na hoifige seo a chomhlíonadh mar is cóir agus guím rath Dé ar an obair sin.
Fellow Deputies, I regard it as a very great honour indeed that I should be elected unanimously Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann this day. I wish most sincerely to convey to all Deputies and the various parties which comprise this great assembly my profound gratitude for the confidence they have reposed in me. Moreover, I regard it as a very great privilege. I have long since valued highly the history and the traditions of this House. All Members can be assured of my full support to enable them to speak here and put forward their views in accordance with Standing Orders.
It is, therefore, a very great honour indeed for me especially as I have been a Member of this House for 25 years. I have occupied the position of Ceann Comhairle in the past and all Members know full well what to expect of me in respect of utter impartiality and fairness in the administration of the rules of this House. All Members may rest assured that their rights and obligations in this House will be treasured and safeguarded by me. I cannot fulfil my obligations without the full support and co-operation of all of you, Members of the House. I now seek that co-operation and I feel sure it will be readily forthcoming.
In seeking to uphold the best traditions of the House I am mindful of my many illustrious predecessors. It would be remiss of me if I did not mention in particular my immediate predecessor, Deputy Tom Fitzpatrick, the outgoing Ceann Comhairle, and the invaluable contribution he made in upholding the dignity and the decorum of this House. He performed his duties as Ceann Comhairle in exemplary fashion and is worthy of the support and respect of all of us. Again, my gratitude to fellow Deputies. I shall strive very earnestly to prove worthy of the honour, the confidence and the trust you have reposed in me.
A Cheann Comhairle, may I, as your immediate predecessor, be allowed congratulate you on your appointment to the exalted position of Ceann Comhairle of the 25th Dáil and to wish you a pleasant and fruitful term of office? I am satisfied that your long experience as a parliamentarian, the respect which you have always shown for the Chair and the great dignity with which you always discharged your obligations and behaved in this House and indeed outside it qualify you in a special way for the position you now have the honour of occupying for a second time. I wish to thank you for your kind words regarding me.
I would like to make a brief appeal for co-operation with the Chair and for respect for the Chair. I feel, and have felt for some time, that the democratic system is in some danger and in so far as this country is concerned the continued success or otherwise of the system will depend to a considerable extent on how we in this House project ourselves to the country. That will depend in turn on how the Chair is treated and the respect that is shown for the Chair. There should be full co-operation from all sides and sections of the House for the Chair. There should be no such thing as the "him and us" approach vis-á-vis any party in the House. I appeal with all the sincerity I can command for that co-operation.
In conclusion I want to express my own appreciation to all the Members of the 24th Dáil who co-operated with me so well and indeed to those Members of the 24th Dáil who did not always find it possible to co-operate with me at all times. My term in office has been challenging, interesting and the most enjoyable experience in my political life which spans in one way or another more than half a century. Thank you very much.