Tairgim: Go gceapfar an Teachta Dinny McGinley mar Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
Deputy McGinley has been an effective Member over a number of years. He represents a part of the country that is distant from Dublin. As a native Irish speaker he is fluent in both languages. Given the importance of the language it is important that at least one of the occupants of the Chair on a regular basis should be a native speak er of Irish. That is no reflection on the mastery of Irish by any other incumbrants of the Chair, or on you, Sir.
In occupying the Chair, Deputy McGinley would come in a long tradition of people from County Donegal who have chaired the House. Examples include the former Cinn Comhairle Cormac Breslen and Joe Brennan.
I hope the House will agree to the appointment of Deputy McGinley as Leas-Cheann Comhairle. On the last occasion 17 Ministers of State were appointed the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle was occupied by a member of the then principal Opposition party, Deputy Jacob. The needs of the Government parties were adequately served on that occasion by the appointments of Ministers of State. Given that Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats have 15 Ministers and 17 Ministers of State it would be inappropriate for them to grab the Office of Leas-Cheann Comhairle for one of their party members. It is more appropriate that the House would decide that the office should be filled by a member of the main Opposition party — the Fine Gael Party. On behalf of the Fine Gael Party I take pleasure, and am proud to nominate Deputy McGinley for that office.
