I move:
That Senator Brian Mullooly be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach.
I have great pleasure, as leader of the Fianna Fáil Party in the Seanad, to propose Senator Mullooly for the important position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. Senator Mullooly will bring to the position a great wealth of experience. He has served on his local authority in County Roscommon since 1974 and had the distinction of being its chairman for six years. He is a former member of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body. Since his election to the Seanad in 1981 he has been our spokesperson on Education.
Over the last number of years I have seen at first hand, in his role as Fianna Fáil Chief Whip, as the Government Chief Whip and in his membership of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, his dedication and total commitment to the House, and like you, Sir, his absolute commitment to further reform of the Seanad. For these reasons, Senator Mullooly is well qualified for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach and I so commend his name to the House.