Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Ar mo shon féin agus ar son Teachtaí Shinn Féin, glacaim leis an rún an Teachta Séamus Ó Cuirc a thoghadh mar Cheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Teachta agus é chun a post nua a ghlacadh i gceann tamaill. Is onóir mór é d'aon Teachta an Chathaoir a ghlacadh sa Teach seo. Is dualgas mór é freisin. Guím gach ráth ar a gcuid oibre.

On my behalf, and that of the Sinn Féin Deputies, I wish Deputy Kirk well as he faces election as Ceann Comhairle today. It is a great honour as well as a great responsibility and I wish him well in his work. I have known Deputy Kirk since before my election in 1997. I have always found him a courteous and hard-working colleague. I have no doubt he will conduct his work as Ceann Comhairle with fairness and efficiency. I again record my appreciation of the fairness and efficiency demonstrated by his predecessor, Deputy O'Donoghue.

The new Ceann Comhairle will take up his responsibilities at a time of necessary change in the way affairs are managed in the Houses of the Oireachtas, particularly in the Dáil. We look forward to working with the new Ceann Comhairle for the remainder of this Dáil for however long or short a time that may be. Ba mhaith liom a rá go n-éirigh leat a Cheann Comhairle nua.

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