Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leat féin agus le do chlann. I also wish to take a moment to thank the outgoing Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Barrett, for all his work during the past five years and to congratulate all those who offered themselves as candidates in what has been a first for the Dáil, namely, the election by secret ballot of the Ceann Comhairle. I know you, as a politician, to be a man of decency and integrity who is dedicated to the public interest and to that of your constituents. It would appear from reading the tallies that not only did you attract the support of your own party, but you also attracted significant support from other parties and most likely from Independents in the House.

I express good wishes to you. As the chairperson and speaker of this Parliament, it will be a productive Parliament under your guidance. We have a large national agenda with which to proceed and it will fall to you to steer the reform process I think everyone has agreed is required in respect of the workings of the Dáil and its relationship with the Executive. We must also look to outcomes that are good for people and that help to generate greater improvements not just in the workings of the Dáil but in the outcomes for the people of this Republic.

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