Dáil debates

Thursday, 10 March 2016

1:15 am

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle on his election. I move that Dáil Éireann nominate Deputy Micheál Martin for appointment by the President as Taoiseach. Deputy Micheál Martin is very well qualified to undertake the duties of the office of Taoiseach. In nominating him, Fianna Fáil is making it clear that it is opting for a change of Government because that is what people voted for.

First elected to Dáil Éireann in 1989, Deputy Micheál Martin has been re-elected on every occasion since to represent the people of Cork South-Central. He is an honest and passionate republican who believes in Ireland and wants to deliver a fairer society for all. Deputy Martin has extensive experience in this House. He is a former Minister for Education and Science; Health and Children; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and Foreign Affairs. He has represented the Government with distinction in Northern Ireland, Europe and across the globe. For the past five years, he has led the Opposition and tenaciously highlighted issues that were having a negative impact on communities across Ireland.

During his time in opposition, he reached out to people and listened to their problems with sincerity and empathy. He recognised that families and communities were struggling and that Ireland was experiencing a two-tier recovery with some of her people being left behind. He saw at first hand how public services were depleted, how frustrated people were and how difficult it had become to access even the most basic essential services. He is a strong believer in politics and has been a positive advocate for the people he serves. He has led the way in bringing forward proposals to reform how politics is done in our country. The failure to implement any meaningful political reform over the past five years is the single greatest failure of the last Dáil.

On a personal level, it is a huge honour for me as a new Deputy in the Thirty-Second Dáil to be nominating Deputy Martin. He has been an invaluable mentor to me throughout my time in politics and has always made himself available to assist me and other younger representatives within the party on our journey through political life. He has shown courage and determination in bringing a new generation into politics and bringing about real changes in the way we do our business. As party leader, he has always endeavoured to be inclusive and to ensure that all voices are heard and respected. I have no doubt that he will be a strong advocate for young people in this country and that he will continue his commitment to political reform and inclusivity in this House.

Deputy Martin believes in the people of Ireland. He knows this is a country rich with immense potential and generosity of spirit. People want an Ireland for all and not just for a few. With Deputy Martin's determination and work ethic, I know he could lead the next Government to achieve this objective. Throughout his political life, he has been approachable, fair minded and straight talking. He faces challenges head on and knows that people want a decent society. In conclusion, I and my party colleagues consider him to be uniquely well qualified to be Taoiseach and to lead Ireland towards the realisation of our shared objective - an Ireland for all.

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