Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

11 o’clock

Ar dtús báire, ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a ghabháil le gach uile duine atá tofa go dtí an 32ú Dáil. Is mór an onóir dúinn uilig ionadaíocht a dhéanamh ar son ár dtoghthóirí. Mar is eol do Bhaill, táimse ag lorg a vótaí inniu do ról an Chinn Chomhairle. Iarraim ar Bhaill a muinín a chur ionam agus a dtacaíocht a thabhairt dom inniu.

I extend my congratulations to all the elected Members of the 32nd Dáil on their election in the recent general election contest. We have each come through a tightly fought contest and most of us will have memories of challenging and perhaps even blistering moments. The election is now behind us. On 26 February, the people spoke. They have given us an honoured mandate and one which no doubt we will all strive to respect and fulfil and so it is that we meet here today to take the first steps in the outworking of the people’s decision. For the first time in our parliamentary democracy we, the elected Members of the Dáil, will decide who among our number will preside over the business of this House, who it is we will entrust to oversee the fair conduct of our deliberations and exchanges in this Chamber.

The position of Ceann Comhairle and the allied roles of that office require experience of parliamentary procedures and a disposition that is respectful of all opinion and the right of all to have their views expressed and heard. I believe that in the past 19 years I have acquired the required experience and have demonstrated that I have the skills and the natural disposition to serve in this important role. I have over these past four Dáil terms worked closely with colleagues of all political opinion, party members and Independent Deputies alike. I have been an active and front-line spokesperson in technical groups in two Dáil terms. I have been convener of cross-party and Independent Members in two major health-related campaigns, Justice for the Victims of Michael Neary and Justice for the Survivors of Symphysiotomy. I am an active member of the Oireachtas group on mental health and I am a founding and executive member of the North-South Inter-Parliamentary Association. I have considerable experience of working on Oireachtas committees, including the Oireachtas Joint Committees on Finance and on Health and Children. I believe that while I was a passionate and committed advocate of my and my party’s policy positions and outlooks in these fora, I was at all times an interested member and listened to all contributions and was jointly involved with colleagues from government and opposition in producing a considerable body of work, reports and recommendations. I have openly campaigned with outgoing Government Ministers and Deputies on the children’s rights referendum and on the referendum on marriage equality. I have at all times demonstrated my willingness to work with colleagues of all parties and none in the interest of the common good and of outcomes of importance to Irish society.

The Ceann Comhairle must of necessity be independent of government and opposition. It is my certain view that the Ceann Comhairle is duty bound to uphold the primacy of the individual parliamentarian over and above all considerations of party or groupings. He or she must conduct the business of this House in a fair and impartial manner and adhere to the highest standards of the office. Dáil reform has been much commented on of late. It is not within the gift of the Ceann Comhairle to make changes to the conduct of business already governed by Dáil Standing Orders. However, in his or her capacity as chair of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, the Ceann Comhairle can facilitate and encourage real and substantial change. As Chair of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, the Ceann Comhairle can lead effective change in Members’ interests. As a member of the Presidential Commission and of Comhairle na Mire Gaile among other roles, there is a lot to the position that Members in the Chamber and the wider public do not see.

I am greatly interested in taking on this honoured responsibility. I am humbled by the support of colleagues who have nominated me and I thank them for their encouragement. In conclusion, I ask each of the Members to consider supporting me this morning. I respectfully request their number one support and if that is not possible, their number two would be greatly appreciated. If called upon on the conclusion of today’s ballot, I will proudly and solemnly declare that I will duly, faithfully and to the best of my knowledge and ability execute the office of Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann without fear or favour. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go leir.

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