I move :
That Senator James C. I. Dooge be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach.
Mar is eol díbh go léir, bhí an Seanadóir Dooge ina bhall den tSeanad ón mbliain 1961 agus le linn an ama sin bhí sé páirteach go minic sna díospóireachtaí a bhí ar siúl. Sna díospóireachtaí sin ba léir gur Seanadóir stuama é go raibh a lán taithí aige ar chúrsaí poiblí agus ar chúrsaí polaitióchta.
Cé go bhfuil sé ina bhall de Fhine Gael is dóigh liom gur thug sé cothrom na Féinne do chách le linn an tréimhse sin fiú amháin nuair a cháin sé an obair a bhí ar siúl ag na daoine sin.
In a theannta sin, tá neart Gaeilge aige agus beidh sé lán ábalta obair an Tí a dhéanamh i nGaeilge más gá.
The House is in a somewhat invidious position this afternoon in that it has to make a choice between two people, Senator Dooge whom I am proposing, and Senator McAuliffe whose name is also on the Order Paper. The choice of the House is rendered invidious because of the high standing and personal qualifications of each of those two Senators. However, I think I may be able to give some assistance to Members of the House who have no particular or special interest in either Party by having a look at the broader context in which this House functions, that is, in the context of the Oireachtas. In that context, we must have regard to the realities of the situation.
The Oireachtas functions, in the main, through the existence of political Parties. In that context then, one sees that in the Dáil the position of Ceann Comhairle is held by a Member of the Labour Party. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is a member of the Fianna Fáil Party and the position which you, a Chathaoirleach, have the honour to hold in this House, is held by one who is a distinguished member of the Fianna Fáil Party. No member of Fine Gael occupies any of these positions and I urge that as a consideration of equality and equity among those who, as I say, have no particular interest in either of the candidates whose names appear on the Order Paper.
Senator Dooge has, for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach, many qualifications. He was for a considerable time a member of Dublin County Council and was twice chairman of that body and of many subsidiary committees. Of course, in that capacity, he acquired a knowledge of procedure which will be to his advantage if the House confers the honour of Leas-Chathaoirleach upon him. In addition, he has, of course, broad training and experience as a member of the Faculty of Engineering at University College, Cork. He is Professor of Civil Engineering at Cork University and he brings to bear upon that work, as he does, too, on his work in the Seanad, the qualities of patience, a great sense of fair play and a thoroughness which is the hallmark of the successful professor in his profession. He also is tolerant and patient. These are all qualities which are very necessary for the Chair, as I know from my own past experience. He is incisive and decisive and these qualities admirably suit him for the position.
