Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Jul 1995

Vol. 144 No. 12

Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Mr. Wright

I move:

That Senator Brian Mullooly be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach.

I have great pleasure, as leader of the Fianna Fáil Party in the Seanad, to propose Senator Mullooly for the important position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. Senator Mullooly will bring to the position a great wealth of experience. He has served on his local authority in County Roscommon since 1974 and had the distinction of being its chairman for six years. He is a former member of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body. Since his election to the Seanad in 1981 he has been our spokesperson on Education.

Over the last number of years I have seen at first hand, in his role as Fianna Fáil Chief Whip, as the Government Chief Whip and in his membership of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, his dedication and total commitment to the House, and like you, Sir, his absolute commitment to further reform of the Seanad. For these reasons, Senator Mullooly is well qualified for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach and I so commend his name to the House.

Mr. Fitzgerald

Cuidím leis an tairiscint atá molta ag an Seanadóir Wright go dtoghfar an Seanadóir Brian Mullooly mar Leas-Chathaoirleach ar Sheanad Éireann. I second the proposal by Senator Wright that Senator Mullooly be elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann.

I have known Senator Mullooly since his election to Seanad Éireann in 1981. I shared an office with him on two occasions, the first approximately five or six years ago and, more recently, the office which Senator Wright, Senator Mullooly and I shared as Leader of the House, Chief Whip and Assistant Whip respectively.

I was Assistant Whip to Senator Mullooly in and out of Government. There is no harder worker for his constituency, the country and the Seanad in pursuing local, national and international problems. He is also totally loyal to his party, Fianna Fáil, of which he has been a member all his life.

As Senator Wright outlined, Senator Mullooly has held numerous positions in his political life and before he entered politics. He is respected by every Member and held in high esteem by his electorate. It gives me great pleasure to second the proposal.

Question, "That Senator Brian Mullooly be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach", put and agreed to.

An Cathaoirleach

As a fellow Roscommon man I wish to be the first to extend heartiest congratulations to Senator Mullooly on his election to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. I endorse the comments of his proposer and seconder. I have known Senator Mullooly for 21 years as we were both elected to Roscommon County Council in June 1981. He held the chairmanship of Roscommon County Council for an unbroken period of six years which indicates the high respect in which his county council colleagues hold him. It will be a pleasure to work with Senator Mullooly. He is very able for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach and I send every good wish to him, his wife Nancy and family.

Mr. Manning

On behalf of the Government Senators I congratulate Senator Mullooly on his election as Leas-Chathaoirleach, he brings all the essential qualities to that office. He is a person of his word; in all our dealings with him as Fianna Fáil Chief Whip when he gave his word a deal done was a deal kept. He was always very straight in his dealings with us.

We have no doubt he will display the utmost impartiality and uphold the high standards of fairness which attach to the Chair of this House. He has a great respect for this House, its potential and what it stands for, and he will be a custodian of these traditions as Leas-Chathaoirleach. On behalf of the Government Members I extend our warmest congratulations to him and assure him of our full co-operation in carrying out his onerous responsibilities. We are conscious of the great honour bestowed upon him.

Mr. Norris

On behalf of the Independent Senators I extend heartiest congratulations to Senator Mullooly on his election as Leas-Chathaoirleach. Senator Mullooly has been a Member of this House for longer than I and I have always found him to be a man of courtesy, decency and intelligence. He is, of course, a strong and committed Fianna Fáil supporter. However, he has never been partisan and that is an important quality, particularly in this House. His qualities of decency, sensitivity, balance, tolerance and intelligence will adorn the office of Leas-Chathaoirleach. We can look forward to a fruitful session starting in the autumn with two Roscommon people in positions of eminence in the House.

Mr. Dardis

On behalf of the Progressive Democrats I join the congratulations to Senator Mullooly. I endorse what has been said of him as the praise is well merited. I look forward to working and co-operating with him. He will bring excellent qualities to bear in his chairmanship of the Seanad.

I commiserate with the defeated candidates. I am pleased I was not forced to make a choice between them — that was a matter for the Fianna Fáil Members. The defeated candidates did not have a hope as Senator Mullooly is from Roscommon and the offices of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach seem to be in the permanent custody of Roscommon Members. That does not detract from the qualities of the present incumbents. Senator Mullooly has our congratulations; he will have our co-operation and we look forward to working with him.

Mr. Wall

On Behalf of the Labour Party group I congratulate Senator Mullooly and wish him well in his new position. We have always found him courteous and helpful as Fianna Fáil Whip. We will continue to co-operate with Senator Mullooly to ensure continued good work in this House and we wish him and his family well.

Mr. Sherlock

I too congratulate Senator Mullooly. During 1993 and 1994 I found him very co-operative and helpful as Chief Whip. That showed the manner of man he is and I wish him well. I was not present last week when you, Sir, were elected Cathaoirleach and I wish you well. However, it is sad that all of this is happening as a result of the untimely death of the late Senator Fallon.

Mr. Finneran

I congratulate Senator Mullooly on his elevation to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach and I endorse everything which has been said. He has been a colleague of mine for many years and is highly respected throughout County Roscommon. He is regarded as the gentleman of politics in that county. It is a great honour for him and his family, particularly his wife, Nancy. The qualities he has shown all through his political life will aid him in the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. I have no doubt there will be an excellent working relationship between the Cathaoirleach and the new Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Mr. Cosgrave

I join in congratulating Senator Mullooly on a very well deserved appointment and wish him every success. In my dealings with him over the last three or four years he has been a straight and honest man who is true to his word. Will the Leader of the Opposition find a suitable replacement?

Mr. Cassidy

As a neighbour of Senator Mullooly. I join in the congratulations on his appointment. As Senator Sherlock said, it is unfortunate that this is the result of the untimely death of Senator Fallon but it is terrific to see Senator Mullooly being appointed. History will record that at 12.10 p.m. on 19 July Senator Brian Mullooly was unanimously elected Leas-Chathaoirleach by Seanad Éireann. We will miss him as a great Whip. He is an understanding man whom we have all come to like and love. His great qualities will stand to him in his new position. It is great to see him being acknowledged here as a person of great ability. He has been a Member of this House since 1981. It is a great day for his family, for Strokestown and for Roscommon. I congratulate him and wish him many years of hard work in his position. We look forward to working with him.

Mr. Belton

As a near neighbour, I congratulate Senator Mullooly and wish him well. He has given a great deal to local and national politics in the past and this appointment is a fair reward for all his efforts. I know he will hold the office dear and honour himself and County Roscommon.

Mr. Mooney

Drumshanbo, from where I come, is one mile from the Roscommon border. It is perhaps not widely known that my part of County Leitrim was, for some years, part of the Roscommon-Leitrim constituency. It was at that time that I first came to know Senator Mullooly as an officer of the Comhairle Dáil Ceanntair, so our relationship goes back quite a long way. I am absolutely delighted that he now joins you, a Chathaoirligh, in a high office in the Seanad. Perhaps that is only correct because, as history has shown, the traditional home of the kings and queens of Connaught was County Roscommon. The legacy of that particular form of government is that County Roscommon now rules the Seanad. I know that the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach will continue to give the kind of service we have come to expect by bringing the important element of a personal touch to both offices. I wish them both well, particularly my friend and colleague, Senator Mullooly. The Seanad's gain will be Fianna Fáil's loss. He will be a hard act to follow as party Chief Whip.

Mr. Lydon

I congratulate Senator Mullooly. When I was first elected to Seanad Éireann I shared an office and secretarial services with him. During the time we have served together, I have found him to be courteous, kind, decent and honourable at all times. I do not think we could have a better Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Mr. McDonagh

This is another big day for the west of Ireland. I concur with the good wishes and congratulations extended to Senator Mullooly. He is receiving an honour which is richly deserved and long overdue. It is a very special day for himself, his wife and family and County Roscommon. I wish him well for the future.

Mr. O'Kennedy

I do not know whether I speak on behalf of those who are not formally paying tribute. I did not intend to make a statement but I want to say that our silence should not be represented as anything less than an enthusiastic endorsement for the nomination of Senator Mullooly. As a representative of the Dalcassian clan of O'Brien-O'Kennedy, I take issue with Senator Mooney's statement about the ancient kings of Ireland.

An Cathaoirleach

You can brief Senator Mooney elsewhere on that matter.

Mr. O'Kennedy

I am sure that other Senators who have not spoken share those views.

Mr. Maloney

I congratulate Senator Mullooly on his election to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. It seems to be par for the course that Members from County Roscommon receive the honour of that job. I am delighted to see Senator Mullooly win the race for Leas-Chathaoirleach. I suppose that is all that County Roscommon will win this year. I wish the Senator, his wife and family well for the future. Brian Mullooly was a gentleman to work with as Government Whip and, knowing the pressure that politicians experience, he was more than helpful when approached for advice.

Mr. Farrell

Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil le Brian, Nancy agus a chlann. Chas mé le Brian ar dtús ag an geata beag taobh amuigh dá theach i gCondae Rós Comáin i 1977. Is cáirde an mhaith ar fad muid ón lá sin amuigh. Go n-éirí leis ina oifig nua.

Mr. R. Kiely

I was going to take the hint from Senator O'Kennedy by remaining silent. I am sure that by remaining silent I would still be paying tribute to Senator Brian Mullooly. As the longest serving Member of the House, it would be remiss of me not to comment. I first met Brian Mullooly some years ago, in a hostelry in County Roscommon, while I was seeking votes for election to the Seanad. I am delighted to see his wife, Nancy, and his daughter present to join with him in celebration of the honour bestowed on him today. He fully deserves it and I wish him well in his new position.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

Is mór an onór dom a bheith tofa mar Leas-Chathaoirleach ar Sheanad Éireann. Gabhaim buíochas libh go léir. Tá mé fíor-bhuíoch freisin do Sheanadóirí as ucht na rudaí deasa a dúradar fúm inniú. Seachtain ó shin, nuair a bhí me ag déanamh comhghairdeas leatsa, a Chathaoirligh, ar do thoghchán féin, dúirt mé go raibh mé lán-chinnte go gcomhlíonfadh tú do dhualgasaí go díograiseach agus go dícheallach. Geallaim don Teach anois go ndéanfaidh mise amhlaidh fad is a bheidh mé sa phost seo.

It is a great honour to have been elected Leas-Chathaoirleach. I thank my party colleagues for selecting me as their nominee for the position. I would also like to express my gratitude to Senators on all sides for electing me unopposed. I assure all of you that I am deeply conscious of the responsibility on me to uphold the high standards which were set by all my predecessors in the office of Leas-Chathaoirleach and, most especially, by you, a Chathaoirligh. I assure you and the staff of the House of my fullest co-operation and assistance during my term as Leas-Chathaoirleach in the efficient conduct of the business of the Seanad.

During my period as Government Whip, and more recently as Whip of my party, I received nothing but the utmost co-operation from the staff of the House, from Members on all sides and, in particular, from the Whips and leaders of the various groups. I know the same co-operation will be forthcoming to me in my new role. I would like to say a special word of thanks to the two people with whom I worked most closely over the last two and half years. It was a privilege and a pleasure to have shared an office with the leader of my group, Senator Wright and with Senator Fitzgerald, who was the assistant Whip. I thank both of them for their great loyalty and support at all times during those two and a half years and for their kind words today. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.