Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Office of Taoiseach has been occupied by many great men. Today, the baton is passing from one of these great men to another. I am privileged to be following Deputy Enda Kenny in seconding Deputy Varadkar’s nomination for the position of Taoiseach.

These great men were men of their time. Deputy Varadkar is of his time. He is a leader for the Ireland of today - open, decent and compassionate. I was first elected 16 months ago to represent the constituency of Dublin-Rathdown and was fortunate to participate in the government formation talks last year. There I saw up close Deputy Varadkar’s leadership skills. He is a person of great qualities - honest, genuine and decisive with first-class intellect. Most of all, he is courageous. A famous man once remarked, “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities ... [because] it is the quality which guarantees all others.”

So far in your life, Deputy Varadkar, you have shown great courage and achieved so much. You will need every ounce of that courage to provide the leadership required for this country over the coming years. There will be many challenges ahead but I am confident you are the best person and are best placed to meet these challenges. There is so much we can proud of, yet there is always going to be more to be improved upon. I believe that under your leadership we can take this country forward to a place of continued growth and increased revival. You are sensitive to the needs and wants of all. You are dedicated to the public interest. You are an honest man. I know you will not be found wanting. You have all the characteristics and, as Deputy Enda Kenny said, the energy to succeed, energy that will be needed every day you occupy the Office of Taoiseach. I also know you will do everything to make sure you will leave this country in a better place, not just for us but for our children, and you will do so, not just for the few but for the many. You have the talent to lead the country. You have the ambition for this nation and all her people. For this beloved country of ours, you are the right person for the right time.

Ireland stands to gain from the election of Deputy Varadkar as Taoiseach. That is why I am honoured to second his nomination.

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