Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is my honour and privilege to second the nomination of Deputy Enda Kenny as Taoiseach in the Thirty-second Dáil. In the words of John F. Kennedy, "we must think and act not only for the moment but for our time". Deputy Enda Kenny, over the past number of weeks, has shown himself as a leader who acts and thinks not only for himself but for the good of the country and our citizens. Through negotiation and listening to the views of those elected by the people, Deputy Kenny has put the country first by reading the signs of the times and putting in place a programme for partnership.

We stand on the brink of the next important chapter in Irish history. It is important that we have a leadership with vision, compassion and a sense of common decency. Deputy Enda Kenny has all these qualities in abundance. I firmly believe Deputy Kenny, as Taoiseach, will leave the country on the right track, encouraging consensus and open communication in facing the many challenges that lie ahead for all of us in the Thirty-second Dáil. I therefore formally second the proposal that Dáil Éireann elect Deputy Enda Kenny as Taoiseach.

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