Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish all candidates the very best. I am not sure how many swing voters there are in the Chamber because from listening to the contributions made it seems everyone is more or less committed. Last night I was going to suggest a last-minute leaflet drop around Leinster House to see if we could swing the adequate numbers required.

I express my support for Deputy Bernard J. Durkan. I came into the House as a fresh-faced, young, inexperienced Deputy in 2011 and there was a big gang of us at the time, but Deputy Bernard J. Durkan was brilliant with all of us. He showed us around and advised us and was always generous with his time. More importantly, he sees the Parliament as being at the very centre of everything we do as Deputies and holds it above all else in the performance of our duties. He is a man who would do an excellent job as Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I agree with the sentiments expressed on the importance of there being a balance between the Government and the Opposition in the positions of Ceann Comhairle and Leas-Cheann Comhairle. For these reasons, I believe Deputy Bernard J. Durkan is the best candidate for the job. If there is deadlock at the end of the vote, agreement should be reached on the way forward.

See this speech in context