Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Deputy Bernard J. Durkan be elected Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

I am honoured to nominate my colleague and fellow Kildare man, Deputy Bernard J. Durkan, for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle which is more important in this Thirty-second Dáil than it has ever been. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is charged with the responsibility of protecting, on behalf of the House, the rights of individual Members, and ensuring the business of Parliament is progressed in an orderly and dignified manner. I have no doubt Deputy J. Durkan would perform this role with enthusiasm, collegiality, fairness and responsibility.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan is known to all from his extensive experience in Leinster House, having been a Deputy for almost 35 years. Born outside Swinford, County Mayo, in 1945, he has been well established in County Kildare for more than 50 years. He was first elected to Kildare County Council in 1976 and served as a member until 1994, having been chairman from 1986 to 1987. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in June 1981 and lost his seat for a brief period in February 1982, at which point he served as a Senator until he won back the seat at the subsequent election in November 1982. He has been re-elected in every subsequent election, which is a notable achievement by any measure. He served as Minister of State with responsibility for social welfare from 1994 to 1997 and was the chief whip of the Fine Gael Party from June 2002 until October 2004. During his career, he has held front bench positions in the Fine Gael Party, including health; food; trade and industry; insurance; overseas development aid and human rights; and communications and natural resources.

Married to Hilary, with two sons, Brian and Tim who is a councillor, Deputy Bernard J. Durkan has a the support of a great family network. As the Ceann Comhairle will be aware, he is known on Kildare County Council as the champion of the underdog and, in some cases, the champion of what some would describe as hopeless cases. He always fights for those who need it most. He is passionate about social justice and an advocate for the marginalised. He is known for not backing down from an issue and is feared by most officials in Departments and the county council. HIs passion is for people and Deputies will be aware from the large number of parliamentary questions he tables that they cover a large geographical area that extends beyond his constituency. The reason I am aware that he represents people beyond his constituency is that when Kildare South did not have a Fine Gael Deputy between 2002 and 2011, as the only Fine Gael Deputy in the county, he assumed responsibility for looking after the southern part of the county. Much to the confusion of local people, he still holds regular clinics in Allenwood, which has not been in the Kildare North constituency for years.

It is important to note that Deputy Bernard J. Durkan believes passionately in the rights of Deputies to have their questions answered and is a strong proponent of the power of Parliament, as distinct from the power of the Government and Executive. Having won and lost a seat, he has held his seat since regaining it 35 years ago. He has served as a Senator, backbench Deputy, Minister of State, party Whip, committee Chairman, member of the Committee of Public Accounts and Front Bench spokesperson. I do not know if he can sing or dance but, by God, he is one of the best orators in the House.

The package of Dáil reforms agreed by Members since the start of the Thirty-second Dáil will strengthen Parliament and help to make its work more efficient and effective. It has been the tradition in the House to strike a balance between the Government and Opposition in respect of the positions of Ceann Comhairle and Leas-Cheann Comhairle. This tradition is well worth keeping. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan would make an excellent Leas-Cheann Comhairle and would serve every Member of the House without fear or favour.

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