Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Is mór an onóir dom an Teachta Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh a ainmniú mar Thaoiseach. Mar Thaoiseach, comhlíonfaidh sé na gealltanais atá tugtha ag Sinn Féin do mhuintir na hÉireann le linn an olltoghcháin. Tá na daoine a chuir a muinín ionainn agus a thug a mandáid dúinn ag brath orainn go géar. Tá sé de dhualgas orainn iontaoibh an phobail sa chóras polaitiúil a thabhairt ar ais. Ní dhéanfar sin trí na gealltanais úd a chaitheamh san aer ar thóir cumhachta nó tréimhse oifige.

It is a great honour for me to nominate Deputy Gerry Adams for Taoiseach. In this time of uncertainty, instability and hardship for many families and communities, Ireland now needs strong, proven leadership. Ireland calls out for a leader of vision - not the narrow vision of the conservative establishment parties, but a vision that embraces this entire island, that goes beyond the Border and encompasses both the North and the South of Ireland and all of its people, whether Catholic, Protestant, dissenter or other. As the leader of the only all-Ireland republican party and the largest all-island political party, and as one of the architects of the Irish peace process, Deputy Gerry Adams has consistently displayed qualities of strong leadership, courage and perseverance. He has clearly shown that he is willing to reach out to, listen to and work with those who have opposed him.

He has successfully built peaceful relationships between the most bitter of opponents. Ireland calls out for a leader who will give hope back to the people, to those who have struggled on the watch of previous Governments and who struggle still; a leader who will protect the vulnerable and the marginalised, our young people and our older citizens, who will create real opportunities for decent work and a decent standard of living; a leader who will lift the burden on low- and middle-income families who have been crippled by burdens not of their making and overwhelmed by stealth taxes such as water charges and the family home tax; a leader who is not afraid to take on the elites and the vested interests who laid this economy and society low. Deputy Gerry Adams will give a voice to those who have not felt recovery - that is, the majority of our citizens. His positive vision for Ireland will give hope back to the people and will deliver fairness and equality for all.

Tá sé tiomanta do chur chun cinn agus neartú na Gaeilge. Tiontóidh sé an meath agus an easpa measa, tacaíochta agus maoirseachta atá déanta ag na Rialtais a tháinig roimhe seo. Tá sé dírithe ar phobal labhartha na Gaeilge a chruthú ar fud fad na hÉireann.

If we are serious about realising the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the citizens who grant us mandates to represent them here in this Chamber, we have to be serious about who gives voice to those mandates. Deputy Gerry Adams has shown that he is a person of strong principle and endurance. He is someone who is focused and determined and who sees the bigger picture. Deputy Gerry Adams is someone who has never put self-interest above or beyond the national interest. In this centenary year of the 1916 Rising, in order to achieve a truly fair Ireland, an Ireland we can be proud of, an Ireland in which all of our people can say that we and they feel the recovery, I am happy and honoured to propose Deputy Gerry Adams as Taoiseach.

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