Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Nov 1977

Vol. 87 No. 2

Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Mr. Cooney

I move:

That Senator John Joseph McCartin be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach.

My party in putting forward Senator McCartin's name for this important post are completely satisfied of his ability to discharge the duties that pertain to that post. In the lifetime of the last Seanad he had considerable experience as Acting Chairman of controlling the proceedings of the House and his conduct of those proceedings gave general satisfaction. He proved that he has a complete knowledge of the procedures and rules of the House and has the ability to apply that knowledge in practice. Accordingly, I move that he be appointed Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Mr. Alexis FitzGerald

I formally second that.

Mr. E. Ryan

It had been the practice of this House for many years past, up to four years ago, for the majority party not to put forward a candidate for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. In 1973 the Coalition Parties, who were then busily preaching power-sharing, decided, with a characteristic inconsistency, not to apply that doctrine to this House and put forward a candidate for Leas-Chathaoirleach, thus depriving the main Opposition party of that position. In spite of that provocation and the temptation to follow that rather shabby precedent, Fianna Fáil do not propose to put forward a candidate for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach and we will be supporting the nomination of Senator McCartin who did act in the Chair on a number of occasions during the past four years. I am sure he will show the same impartiality and firmness he showed when he acted on occasions in the past and he will certainly have our full support.

Question put and agreed to.

Mr. McCartin

I want to thank the Leader of my Party for proposing me and Senator FitzGerald for seconding the motion. I am most grateful to Senators for making my selection unanimous. I realise it is on the standards, behaviour and debate of the Seanad in general that this House will be judged. In so far as I, in the discharge of my office, can complement your work in any way, Sir, I hope I will be able to do this in accordance with the high standards that have been set by all my predecessors. I would like to say, especially at this time, that my immediate predecessor, Senator Evelyn Owens, Leas-Chathaoirleach in the last Seanad, discharged her obligations in a manner I should like to imitate. My experience during the previous Seanad and all I learned from Senator Dooge and Senator Owens, I hope to be able to put to good use in the future.

While being a very close neighbour, geographically, of the present Cathaoirleach, we have never been in the same constituency and therefore there has never been political strife, certainly at constituency level, to mar the very good relationship that we always enjoyed and we have roots in the same what might be described as backward, underdeveloped, soggy soil. It is very nice to share that common background. I hope we will enjoy the work that is before us and that we will be able to co-operate to make the work of this House easier and more efficient.