Tairgim:—
Go dtoghfar an Seanadóir Pádraig Baxter mar Chathaoirleach, agus go raghaidh sé anois i gceannas an tSeanaid.
Táimse á dhéanamh san mar is dóigh liom gur duine oiriúnach an Seanadóir Baxter de bharr an taithí atá aige ar chúrsai parlaiminte agus an t-eolas atá aige ar gach saghas gnóthaí poiblí le níos mó ná deich mbliana fichead.
The Chairman of this House has a very important duty to perform. He should have an understanding of parliamentary procedure and of parliamentary practice, a grasp of principles, a capacity to give judgment and, when he has given his judgment, to adhere to it. At the same time, of course, a Chairman must give fair play to all Senators, recognising everybody's rights, while not allowing anybody to go too far. These duties are rather difficult to perform at times, but it seems to me that Senator Baxter, from his experience and his knowledge and his temperament, is admirably suited to take that post. He has had here more than 30 years' experience of parliamentary life and he has also experience of local and central government. He has, I think, the patience and the good temper necessary for a Chairman and, apart from the work he has done since the foundation of this State, he had previous association with the movement which finally resulted in the foundation of this State and of this Parliament.
Senator Baxter belongs to a generation which went to school before Irish was taught either as well or as generally as it is now but, like many of that generation who were active in the national movement, he learned some Irish after leaving school and succeeded in learning some more in an internment camp in 1921. Internment camps acted to some extent as schools or universities. He has always been interested in Irish and has a certain knowledge of the language but has not acquired the capacity to speak it as fluently as he would wish.
Senator Baxter was a member of the Gaeltacht Commission, 1925 and has gone to great pains to understand the economic problems of these areas. He has represented Ireland frequently abroad and has been for four years Chairman of the Economic Committee of the inter-Parliamentary Union.
It seems to me, Sir, that Senator Baxter has the qualities which would make up a good Chairman. He would be patient but firm and he would have a grasp not only of the principles of procedure but also of the details which, of course, must be understood too. He would, I think, give fair play to everybody.
I, therefore, propose him in the confidence that he has good judgment, good temper and common sense and in the confidence also that he will do credit, if you see fit to elect him, to himself and to the House. I move, Sir.
