Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Sep 1943

Vol. 28 No. 1

Election of Cathaoirleach.

Seán MacGiobúin

Molaim don tSeanad:

Go dtoghfar an Seanadóir Seán O Guilidhe mar Chathaoirleach agus go racha sé i gceannas an tSeanaid anois.

Ní gádh dhom a ráadh cad tá déanta aige arson tíre agus teangan, go mór mhór ar son na teangan. Bhí sé ina Theachta Dála ar feadh roinnt mhaith bhlianta. Tá sé ina chomhalta de Chomhairle Chonntae Phortláirge le fada.

Tá sé ina Sheanadóir ó cuireadh an Seanad so ar bun, agus, mar is eól don chuid is mó dhíbh anso, duine anoiriúnach mar Chathaoirleach iseadh an Seanadóir O Guilidhe i ngach slighe.

After consideration, I have decided, for personal reasons, not to seek re-election to the Chair and I have asked my friends, on vácating the office of Cathaoirleach, to permit me to have the privilege of proposing the name of Senator Seán Goulding as my successor.

Senator Goulding, who has been a member of the Seanad since 1938, had previously served in the Dáil for a number of years, and has also been a member of the Waterford County Council and of other local bodies. He has, therefore, had long experience of public administration—an experience which, I think I can say, fits him in an especial manner for the Chair of this House. During the past five years he has, on occasion, presided over the deliberations of the House in relief periods to the Chair. There is no need, I think, to mention to the House his splendid record of service in the Irish-Ireland movement, as that service is already well known to his fellow-Senators. I, therefore, recommend the motion nominating Senator Seán Goulding as Cathaoirleach.

Before resuming my seat, I should like to take the opportunity—the first I have had of addressing the House on other than official matters—of expressing to those Senators with whom I have had the honour of working for the past five years my gratitude for the co-operation and kindness I have received from all members of the House during my occupancy of the Chair. That co-operation and kindness which I shall treasure in my remembrance has made my task a pleasant one indeed. May I also be permitted to express my thanks to the staff for their efficient and loyal service during my period of office. They did much to lighten the work which must at all times devolve upon the Chair.

I now formally propose that Senator Seán Goulding be elected and do take the Chair of the Seanad as Cathaoirleach.

Bean Ui Choncheannainn

Cuidím leis an rún agus cuidím leis go fonnmhar agus go croidhiúil. Aontuím le gach rud atá ráidhte ag an Seanadóir MacGiobúin faoi'n Seanadóir O Guilidhe. Ní gá dhom mórán a rá faoi'n Seanadóir. Tá eolas ag an saol le fada ar an obair atá déanta aige. Tá sean-ráidhte ann adeir go molann an obair an fear; agus an obair atá déanta ag an Seanadóir O Guilidhe, molann sí go hárd é. Ní raibh aon ghluaiseacht sa tír chun saoirseacht, chun an teanga nó chun an tír do chur ar bhealach a leasa nach raibh baint ag an Seanadóir O Guilidhe léi. Dá bhrí sin, is mór an onóir dom a ainm do chur os bhur gcóir.

It is with mixed feelings that I stand up to-day to second the nomination of Senator Seán Goulding as Cathaoirleach. When I came into this Chamber to-day, I thought I would have the honour of proposing for the third time the honoured name of Senator Seán Gibbons for that distinction, and no one could feel more poignantly than I— I am still under the stress of the emotion caused by it—the announcement that, for personal reasons, he does not feel able to accept the honour which I feel it would be the unanimous wish of the House to confer on him of election for the third time as Cathaoirleach. During the 5½ years in which he presided over our deliberations, with his courtesy, his tact, his quiet efficiency and his impartiality, he won not only the esteem and respect of every side of the House, but, I venture to say, their affection. I think that the good tone of the House which made itself felt was taken largely from our Cathaoirleach and I believe the effectiveness of the House—and we did very effective work, thank God—was due to that spirit which emanated from the Cathaoirleach.

If I were to look for a personification or model of that term, "a true Irish gentleman," I do not think it would be necessary for me to go outside the House to seek it. For courtesy, kindliness, noble bearing, noble outlook and unselfishness, I would signal out two people who were in the last House. One was our Cathaoirleach, Senator Seán Gibbons, and the other, our late-lamented comrade and dear friend, Senator David Robinson. These two were an ornament and a credit to any House, and we all felt the better for their presence. I, therefore, feel great sorrow that it has not been my privilege for the third time to propose the name of Senator Seán Gibbons as Cathaoirleach, but there is some compensation in that I have the honour to second his nomination of Senator Seán Goulding. I have known Senator Goulding for a great number of years—I shall not say how many—and the only fault I have to find with him is that he is not married. I hope he will improve on that situation soon and that we shall have the honour of complimenting him on his choice. That is the only fault I can find with him. For everything that deserves the name of Irishman, for his service to his country, to the language and to the national advance in every direction, there is no one bears a more honoured name than Senator Seán Goulding, and I have great pleasure in seconding his nomination.

Micheál Ó hAodha

Ní raibh a fhios agam go dtí gur tháinig mé isteach annso cé hé an duine cuirfí os ár gcóir chun bheith ina Chathaoirleach, ach is dóigh liom go bhfuil rogha maith déanta ins an Seanadóir O Guilidhe. Tá aithne agam air le fada, agus tá a fhios agam gur duine díreach macánta é, gur duine é a thuigeann an gnó agus a dhéanfaidh a dhícheall chun obair an Chathaoirligh a dhéanamh mar is ceart. Ar an abhar san, molaim an Seanadóir O Guilidhe mar Chathaoirleach ar an Seanad.

I had no knowledge until a moment ago that Senator Goulding would be nominated for the Chair and I should like to say that I think Senator Goulding is a good nomination. I have known him in the other House and in this House for a considerable number of years. I think he has the qualities that go to make a good Chairman. He is honest, competent and good tempered and, with these three qualities, I think one can go a fair distance in the Chair, particularly with the courtesy which has been extended to the Chair and which has become a tradition in this House. I agree entirely with Senator Gibbons that the most harmonious relations have obtained between all members of the House, between members of different Parties, if one may breathe a word like "Party" in this non-Party Assembly, members of no Party and the Chair. They succeeded in getting along very well together and I certainly agree that some of the credit for that is due to Senator Gibbons himself.

On my own behalf, and, I think, on behalf of many others in the House, I would like to support the nomination of Senator Goulding for the Chair. So far as I am concerned, I and those for whom I can speak will give him the same assistance as we gave his predecessor to carry cut the difficult duties that fall to the Cathaoirleach. Whatever faults this House may have, and many faults have been ascribed to it, we cannot do any work at all unless we can succced in having order, and unless we ourselves combine to help the Cathaoirleach to preserve that order. I should like to approve the choice of Senator Goulding and to promise him every support.

Mr. Foran

Before extolling the virtues of the new Cathaoirleach, I want to pay a tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach. He was very tolerant to our people, which is not usual, and we appreciate that. He was very courteous and very efficient in the Chair, and he kept up what, in my opinion, was a great tradition. We had some other people, very competent and very good chairmen in this House, and Senator Gibbons during his occupancy of the Chair maintained that position and I believe that the new Cathaoirleach will uphold that tradition. I hope that he will be guided by the example of the former Cathaoirleach and be tolerant with our people, who are generally regarded as being somewhat more turbulent than the general run of Senators. I am sure we will get sympathy and support from him. I think the Government Party have made a very wise selection in nominating Senator Goulding for the position of Cathaoirleach and that the business will be carried on, as it was formerly, with respect for the Chair. I believe that Senator Goulding will maintain the high standard set by former Cathaoirligh and, so far as I am concerned, I will give him every support.

Mr. O'Sullivan

As a newcomer to this Assembly—since 1938—may I say that I have watched its proceedings with a not unfriendly eye and hence I am aware that, during that period, Senator Gibbons presided over its deliberations with commendable ability, tact and impartiality. Therefore, I regret that, on purely personal grounds, he did not feel able to go forward for re-election. Speaking as an Independent, I wish his successor similar good fortune and I am very glad to gather from what Senator Hayes and Senator Foran have said that his election is likely to be unanimous and that he will uphold the best traditions of the Chair in this House since it began its existence in 1922.

Question put and agreed to.

Senators rose in their places and remained standing while the Cathaoirleach proceeded to the Dais.

Standing beside the Chair, the

Cathaoirleach

said:—

Is mór an onóir dom, a Sheanadóirí, mé thogha mar Chathaoirleach ar an Seanad. Gabhaim fíor-bhaochas libh ar a shon.

Geallaim díbh go ndéanfad mo dhícheall chun na hoibhre a bhaineann leis an bpost do stiúrú chó maith agus atá im chumas, agus tá súil agam go bhfuighead cabhair o gach taobh den tigh chuige sin, i slí go mbeidh, mar a déarfadh na Seana-Ghaedhilgeoirí, cothrom na Féinne le fáil ag gach éinne.

Má dheinim an obair chó maith agus do dhein mo chara Seán MacGiobúin romham í beidh mé sásta.

I deeply appreciate the high honour of having been elected Chairman of the Seanad and I trust—in fact I feel assured—that I shall receive every help and co-operation from every member of the Seanad.

I deeply regret that my friend, Senator Seán Gibbons, was unable to accept nomination for the Chair, and I hope that I shall deal as ably and as impartially as he did with all matters which arise for decision by the Chair.