Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)

A Thaoisigh agus a chomh-Theachtaí, tá mé an-bhuíoch daoibh as an onóir mór a bhronn sibh orm inniu agus mé a thogadh mar Cheann Comhairle ar Dáil Éireann. Gabhaim buíochas ó chroí libh uilig. Geallaim libh go ndéanfaidh mé mo dhícheall obair na Dála a riaradh de réir ardtraidisiún na hoifige, gradam na hoifige a chaomhnú agus cothram na féinne a thabhairt do gach Teachta.

An Taoiseach and Members of Dáil Éireann, I value very highly the great honour you have conferred on me today by electing me as Chairman of Dáil Éireann and I thank you most sincerely for the honour. I realise fully it is impossible to carry out the work of this office without the full co-operation of all Members and, because of this, I now humbly seek that co-operation. I trust and, indeed, feel sure this co-operation will be readily forthcoming at all times from all sides of the House.

My aim will be to carry out the work of the Chair in such a manner as to give full expression to all Members consistent with our Standing Orders and the due business of the House before us. In seeking to uphold the best traditions of this House, I am mindful of my many illustrious predecessors. It would be remiss of me if I did not mention, in particular, my immediate predecessors, two of whom are serving Members, Deputies Rory O'Hanlon and John O'Donoghue. Both have made significant contributions to upholding the office of the Ceann Comhairle and the development of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. It is widely acknowledged by all sides of the House that Deputy O'Donoghue was a very good Ceann Comhairle and his easy style in the Chair, tinged with wit, found favour with all Members. I might also mention that I am particularly proud, coming from the Louth constituency, to follow in the footsteps of a former Ceann Comhairle, Padraig Faulkner, who is more than 90 years of age and in good health.

I am by nature progressive and will readily embrace and faithfully implement any change to Dáil procedures made by Members to the Dáil reform sub-committee. As incoming chair of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, I look forward to continuing and encouraging further modernisation of the parliamentary administration within the current programme of cutbacks already adopted by the commission to ensure that the support services for the running of the House are of the highest standards in keeping with the best international practice and governance.

I must perform my first official duty as Ceann Comhairle. In accordance with Standing Order No. 8 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, I wish to make the following declaration:

I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my knowledge and ability execute the office of Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by this House in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of Members in accordance with the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann.

Mar fhocal scóir, tá mé fíor-bhuíoch díoch agus guím rath Dé oraibh go léir san Dáil nua seo.

The Ceann Comhairle took the Chair.

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