Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It did not always work but it worked most times, thankfully. We hope and pray, and wish him well in this new Dáil. I quipped during the applause that if it was as easy to elect a Taoiseach, we would have no problem and the country would be in safe hands by tonight.

It will not be as simple as that. It is testament to the respect that the Ceann Comhairle held in this House, at home in Kildare, among his supporters and everybody else. I wish him the very best and offer our co-operation to him in his role on different committees, to work alongside Peter and the whole team. Go n-éirí go geal leat.

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