Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support the nomination of Deputy Bernard J. Durkan for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I support this nomination because I believe strongly that it is important that the positions of Ceann Comhairle and Leas-Cheann Comhairle should come from different groupings in the House, as in the last Dáil when Deputy Sean Barrett and former Deputy, Michael Kitt, carried out their roles with dignity and brought significant respect to the Chamber. It would establish a bad precedent to elect both Ceann Comhairle and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle from the same party or grouping in the House. That would not lead to good politics, particularly in an era of new politics in the House. While some Members might disagree with me on this, that is my view.

Few people in this House command the same respect as Deputy Bernard J. Durkan. He has served both the people of Kildare and the broader area in his role as a Deputy for a number of years and in the House he is a strong advocate and defender of parliamentary procedure. He is a particularly strong defender and advocate of parliamentary questions, which provide Members with their strongest ability to hold the Government to account. Above anybody else, he has shown the capability to do this. In the past few years, he has acted as an Acting Chairman in the House and as anybody who has participated in debate when he has been in the Chair would say, he commands respect and treats people, be they from the Government or Opposition benches, with respect. He always treats Members fairly and carries out the role with dignity.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan is an excellent parliamentarian. As the Minister of State, Deputy Paul Kehoe, said, as a new young Deputy in the last Dáil, Deputy Bernard J. Durkan was, and continues to be, a huge support to me. If any Member, regardless of the group or party he or she belongs to, asks him for his advice or opinion on an issue, he will always treat him or her with respect and provide the best advice he has from his experience in the long time he has served the people of County Kildare in this House. I add my support to his nomination for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

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