Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Deputy Mattie McGrath be elected Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

It gives me great pleasure to nominate Deputy Mattie McGrath from County Tipperary for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. He has vast experience of politics, having been first co-opted to South Tipperary County Council in 1990 and subsequently elected in 1999. He became a Member of this House in 2007. He has served on three Oireachtas committees, covering agriculture, community and natural resources, and health and children. He is still a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly.

The one thing I want to say about Deputy Mattie McGrath, which everybody in this House knows to be a fact, is that he would be extremely fair, like the Ceann Comhairle. He would bring his experience of politics to the fore in this regard. That is why I ask earnestly that Members see fit to vote for him and support him. He would be an excellent man for the job. In his political career, not only has he proved to be an excellent representative of County Tipperary but he has also been excellent on national issues. For instance, he has been to the fore in highlighting the circumstances of people with distressed mortgages and businesses and farmers being victimised and penalised by banking institutions. The Deputy was to the forefront in highlighting all these kinds of circumstances. His all-round ability has to be recognised, be it in respect of rural crime or the post office network. Such matters are very close to his heart. He is very knowledgeable and he would be an excellent man for the job. He is ably supported by his family. In particular, I have to mention Tríona, Máirín and, of course, his son Edmond, who are of tremendous support to him all the time, as is his wife, Margaret.

Deputy Mattie McGrath is a man of deep faith and was never shy about showing that and standing up for what he believed in. He is a man of conviction, for which I always admired him. The proof is that he managed to get me going to mass at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Not many would have believed I would do this, but the Deputy roped me in. Others have talked about excellent singers. The last thing I would say about Deputy Mattie McGrath is that he possesses all-Ireland medals for dancing. While others can sing, our Deputy can dance.

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