In accordance with Standing Order 11(1)(d), I inform the House that Deputy John McGuinness is the successful candidate selected by the secret ballot for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I now put the question: "That Deputy John McGuinness, who is the successful candidate duly selected by secret ballot by the Members of Dáil Éireann, be elected as Leas-Cheann Comhairle of the 34th Dáil."
Ainmniú Iarrthóirí agus Leas-Cheann Comhairle a thoghadh (Atógáil) - Selection of Candidate and Election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Resumed)
Cléireach na Dála
Question put and agreed to.
Cléireach na Dála
I call on the newly elected Leas-Cheann Comhairle to come forward and make his declarations.
Leis sin, sheas Teachtaí ina n-áiteanna agus d’fhan siad ina seasamh agus an Leas-Cheann Comhairle ag dul i dtreo an Dáis.
An Chathaoir lena ais, labhair an Leas-Cheann Comhairle leis an Dáil agus dúirt:
Whereupon Members rose in their places and remained standing while the Leas-Cheann Comhairle proceeded to the Dais.
Standing beside the Chair, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, addressing the Dáil, said:
Here is the test, Deputy Ó Snodaigh.
A Cheann Comhairle agus a Theachtaí, dearbhaím go sollúnta go ndéanfaidh mé go cuí agus go dílis, agus a mhéid is eol agus is cumas dom, oifig Leas-Cheann Comhairle Dháil Éireann a fheidhmiú gan scáth gan fabhar, na rialacha mar atá siad leagtha síos ag an Teach seo a chur i bhfeidhm go cothrom neamhchlaonta, ord a choimeád agus cearta agus pribhléidí comhaltaí a chaomhnú de réir an Bhunreachta agus Bhuan-Orduithe Dháil Éireann.
I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my knowledge and ability execute the office of Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by this House in an impartial and fair manner, and maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of Members in accordance with the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann.
May I take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support today in the election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle? I look forward to doing my job, as Leas-Cheann Comhairle, with plenty of support from the Ceann Comhairle, and with Members’ support, I will be able to fulfil this part of the declaration – maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of Members.
As I did this morning, I would appeal to you all for respect for each other in this House, respect for the Ceann Comhairle and for me, who, after all, are just doing what we are elected to do, which is to keep order. I think that we would make a far better contribution and give more time to Members if we were to use that time wisely without rancour or argument.
I will finish by saying I am not an overnight success. I was elected to Kilkenny Corporation in 1979 and it took me 15 years to convince them to elect me as Mayor of Kilkenny City. I was elected here in 1997 and it has taken me this length of time to convince you to elect me as Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
I am really proud of the fact that I have been elected by the Members. It is a great privilege and an honour. It is a job that I will do to the very best, as I said, of my ability and in a very impartial way.
I want to conclude by thanking my family who are in the Gallery because without them, you do not succeed. They have been with me since my first election in 1979. In fact, I got elected in 1979 and then immediately got married afterwards, and both have endured. I do not know how Margaret has endured, but anyway.
Deputy Ó Snodaigh and I had a great chat downstairs at the count, a very friendly conversation. I understand full well what he means about the Irish language. It is great to have that sort of comraderie here that, even after a vote like this, we can all get together and do the business of the House.
I should thank the Opposition, particularly all the Sinn Féin guys who came to me and said, “Don’t worry, John. We gave you number two.” We are all familiar with the story at the doorsteps where we are told, “I gave you a stroke.”
Thank you all very much. Thank you, Ceann Comhairle.
If I could just introduce the Leas-Cheann Comhairle’s family, as he said, his long-suffering wife, Margaret, his son, Andrew, and some family friends, Sandra Thomas, Mary Keely and Joe Malone, intern, Ewan Morris, and John's other long-suffering wife, parliamentary assistant Muireann O’Neill.
It is an honour for me to be the first to congratulate our Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I want to assure John that I am going to teach him Irish. He will not have to worry about that anyway.
On that note, congratulations are in order and we will move on.
Before we move to the voting block I wish to pay tribute to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle of the Thirty-third Dáil, Deputy Catherine Connolly. I thank her for her service.