Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, the seamstresses have been at work.

Taoiseach, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for the great honour you have entrusted me with. I thank my constituents in Kildare South for their support and for giving me the chance to take up this particular role. I thank my wife, Mary Clare, and my children for their patience and support over the years.

It is an immense personal privilege for my family and me to hold this position and it is not one I treat lightly.

I pay tribute to Deputies Andrew Doyle, Bernard Durkan, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Maureen O'Sullivan for their contribution to this contest. Each of them would have made an excellent Ceann Comhairle and I hope I will match their energy and commitment to this House. Furthermore, I will endeavour to follow in the footsteps of Deputy Seán Barrett who, in a deeply difficult time for this country, played a central role in this Chair in steering this House through often uncharted waters. I am aware that in the time to come, tempers may fray and disagreements may flare up. I promise you I will adjudicate without fear or favour based on the respect for each Deputy's inalienable democratic mandate. I implore you, the Members, to respect one another's voices as each of us stands not simply for himself or herself, but for his or her constituents across every reach of this country, in town, city, village and countryside.

Disagreement is the beating heart of a democracy but argument is the lifeblood of a vibrant chamber and mutual respect is the foundation of an effective parliament. Our unprecedented election of this position is just the first step of what I hope will be many on the road to reforming the workings of our political system. I personally am fully committed to overseeing that crucial task. More than 100 years on from the foundation of our Republic, the democratic institutions of the State have often been tested; their strength has not been found wanting. We have stood up when many believed we would fall and this House has played an essential role in withstanding the storms of history. The great project of Irish independence, which the first Dáil embodied, still endures in the soul of this 32nd Dáil. That it continues is an historic responsibility that rests upon the shoulders of everybody in this Chamber. I look forward to putting in train and overseeing the implementation of deep-reaching reforms that will benefit both those of you seated here today and the people of the country, as well as the generations that will follow us into this, the people's Chamber. I look forward to working with you all in the coming years as we endeavour together to build a better republic for all our citizens. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.

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