I second the motion moved by Deputy Fagan. In asking the House to accept Deputy Alfred Byrne as Leas-Cheann Comhairle I am doing so in the full knowledge of the very fine record he holds. Since 1914 Deputy Alfred Byrne has represented the people of his native city continuously both in the British Parliament and in the Irish Parliament. For nine years he occupied the highest position in the City of Dublin during his term as Lord Mayor and has advised on and guided the business of the Dublin Corporation with full satisfaction to all. I believe he is suitable in every respect to fill the office of Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
It is true that he has not got a very full knowledge of Irish. I do not regard such a knowledge as an essential qualification for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. The duty of
Leas-Cheann Comhairle has been discharged very efficiently on occasions by Deputies who do not possess a knowledge of Irish. Even though Deputy Alfred Byrne has not a knowledge of Irish, that lack will be more than compensated for by his wide experience and knowledge of procedure and of discharging the position of chairman in an efficient and impartial manner.
Practically every position to be filled to-day required that every candidate must have a knowledge of Irish. It is true that one of the signatories of the Proclamation of Easter Week had not a knowledge of Irish. It is also true that that proclamation was one of the most important, if not the most important step taken in the history of our country. Therefore, the fact that Deputy Alfred Byrne has not a full knowledge of Irish cannot cast any grave reflection on him. It is also true to say that during Deputy Byrne's schooldays Irish held neither the very high nor the very honoured position that it holds to-day.
I should like to point out that, so far as Deputy Byrne is concerned, no one can deny that he has done more than his share, not alone for the people of Dublin, since he had the honour of being first elected to represent them, but for the country in general, and his services have been appreciated by many men who were prominent in the national life. On one occasion, Deputy Byrne was written to by the late Michael Collins. On the 24th November, 1916, Micheal Collins, wrote to him:—
"We appreciate your humanitarian efforts and all you have done for the boys here. Best wishes and many thanks.—Michael Collins."
Why should we, on this side of the House, be ashamed to put forward for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle a man who was held in the highest esteem by the late Michael Collins? It is well that members of the House should know further that the late Right Rev. Monsignor O'Riordan, Rector of the Irish College in Rome, thanked Deputy Byrne—and this is on record— for his efforts when Irish students were threatened with conscription in August, 1917. At that time he wrote to Deputy Byrne:—
"I thank you very sincerely indeed for the very lively and effective interest you have taken in the position of Irish students. You certainly mean business when you undertake it."
I think a Deputy who has won the recognition of men like the late Michael Collins and a former rector of the Irish College in Rome certainly deserves the support and co-operation which we on this side propose to give to Deputy Byrne in his candidature for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I ask the House to accept this nomination because I believe that if there is one man who can carry out the duties efficiently and impartially it is Deputy Byrne. For that reason I recommend the House to elect Deputy Byrne as Leas-Cheann Comhairle.