Sé an chéad ghnó eile ná Cathaoirleach a thoghadh.
The next business is the election of a Cathaoirleach.
Glacfaidh mé le tairiscintí anois.
I will now receive the motions.
Election of Cathaoirleach.
Clerk of Seanad
I move:
That Senator Charlie McDonald be elected and do now take the Chair of the Seanad as Cathaoirleach.
Senator McDonald is one of the longest serving Members of this House. He is a person of national and international experience of parliamentary procedure having served as Vice-President of the European Parliament in 1973 and 1974, having served in Dáil Éireann from 1973 to 1977 and he was an able and scrupulously fair Leas-Chathaoirleach of this House during the most recent session.
As well as his parliamentary experience Senator McDonald has long experience in public service at local level in the country and of involvement in a myriad of voluntary and community associations serving as member and as Chair of many of them. I have no doubt that Senator McDonald will chair the coming sessions of this House with impartiality and with wisdom, tempered with that flexibility which is the mark of real knowledge and security.
Before I conclude I would like to compliment Senator Séamus Dolan who retires as Cathaoirleach of this House. For four years he has been an able and fair Chairman, who has unobtrusively and good humouredly at all times enabled this House to do its work without unnecessary wrangling or undignified conflict. I look forward to having him back with us on the benches of this House.
I formally second the motion.
Question put and declared carried.
Whereupon Senators rose in their places and remained standing while the Cathaoirleach proceeded to the Chair.
Táim an-bhuíoch díobh uilig as ucht mé a cheapadh mar Chathaoirleach ar an Seanad. Is mór an onóir atá sibh tar éis a bhronnadh orm agus geallaim díobh go ndéanfaidh mé gach aon iarracht na dualgaisí a bhaineann leis an oifig seo a chomhlíonadh chomh h-éifeachtúil agus chomh cothromiúil agus is féidir liom. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall chun ard traidisiúin an tSeanaid a chothú agus a neartú sna blianta atá romhainn.
I wish most sincerely to extend to all of you my heartfelt gratitude. I thank expecially my proposer. Senator Gemma Hussey and my seconder, Senator Ferris, the Deputy Leader of the House. I will strive earnestly to prove worthy of this high honour by emulating the exceptionally high standards of my predecessors in the Chair. I will endeavour to uphold the traditions, the dignity and decorum of the Seanad at all times. I appeal, therefore, for your consideration and for your co-operation so that my task will be all the easier. Again, I thank you most sincerely.