Tairgim:—
Go dtoghfar an Teachta Pádraig Ó hÓgáin (An Clár) agus go rachaidh sé i gceannas mar Cheann Comhairle.
I move that Deputy Patrick Hogan (Clare) be elected and do now take the Chair of the Dáil.
Election of Ceann Comhairle.
Inasmuch as we have established the principle that the Ceann Comhairle, indicating his readiness to resume the Chair, is entitled to election, I second the proposal made by the Taoiseach in this regard.
I should also like to support the motion proposed by the Taoiseach.
Chuir an Cléireach an cheist: "Go dtoghfar an Teachta Pádraig Ó hÓgáin (An Clár) agus go rachaidh sé i gceannas mar Cheann Comhairle" agus aontaíodh leis d'aon ghuth.
Cléireach na Dála
Iarraim anois, thar bhur gceann, ar an Teachta Pádraig Ó hÓgáin, Comhalta do Dháilcheantar Chontae an Chláir, dul i gceannas ar an Ochtú Dáil Éireann Déag seo.
I now call, in your name, on Deputy Patrick Hogan, Member for the County Constituency of Clare, to take the Chair of this, the Eighteenth Dáil Éireann.
Whereupon Members rose in their places and remained standing while the Ceann Comhairle proceeded to the Dais.
Standing beside the Chair, the Ceann Comhairle, addressing the Dáil, said:
A Chomh-Theachtaí, is mór an phribhléid dom é bheith i mo Cheann Comhairle ar Dháil Éireann le ceithre bliana déag anuas. Is mór ar fad an onóir liom é gur toghadh mé arís inniu don oifig sin d'aon ghuth.
I bParlaimint dhaonlathach d'fhéadfadh dualgais an Chathaoirligh bheith deacair agus dian air uaireanta, agus níorbh fhéidir dó iad a chomhlíonadh gan cuidiú agus comhar na gComhaltaí. Féachfaidh mé le dualgais Cheann Comhairle a chomhlíonadh chomh maith agus atá i mo chumas. Tá súil agam go mbeidh cabhair agus deamhéin gach Comhalta agam chuige sin, ionas go ndéanfar gnó an Tí mar is cuí agus mar is cóir agus go bhfaighidh gach Comhalta cothrom na Féine de réir na rialacha.
Gabhaim buíochas ó chroí le gach uile dhuine agaibh as ucht na honóra a tugadh dom.
Fellow members, it has been for me over the past 14 years a great privilege to be Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann. To be once again unanimously re-elected to that office today is indeed a very exceptional honour.
In a democratic Parliament the duties of the Chair can be difficult and exacting at times and are impossible to fulfil without the support and co-operation of Members. I shall endeavour to carry out the duties of Ceann Comhairle to the best of my ability. In my endeavours I trust I shall have the assistance and goodwill of every Member so that the business of the House may be duly dealt with and every Member given fair play in accordance with our procedure.
I tender my sincere thanks to every one of you for the honour you have conferred on me.