Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I did not realise the Taoiseach was present at the wedding feast at Cana but you never know. Ar dtús, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an gCeann Comhairle. Is lá speisialta é dó féin agus dá chlann. Guím gach rath air. Is dea-chomhartha é den ardmheas agus gean láidir atá ag daoine ó gach taobh den Teach air gur toghadh é tríd na ballóidí rúnda. Táim cinnte go rachaidh sé i mbun a chuid oibre le hionracas agus comhionannas a léireoidh an onóir ar thug sé don Oireachtas mar Bhall den Teach. Tá a fhios agam nach mbeidh aon deacracht aige ord agus eagar a choimeád. Níl aon amhras orm ach go mbeidh aon easaontas a tharlódh gearrthréimseach agus réitithe gan dua.

I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle on his re-election. I know this is a very special day for him and his family, who are gathered here today. On behalf of the Fine Gael Party, I offer him every success over the next few years. He holds the distinction of being the first Ceann Comhairle to be elected by secret ballot, and now the first to be re-elected by secret ballot. It is a new system that I think started in the last Dáil and that will serve us well. It ensures that the Ceann Comhairle is truly elected and selected by all Members of this House and not by any one party or the lead party. His election by secret ballot is an indicator of the significant respect that we hold for him in this House and the very fair job that he has done over the past few years as well as, I believe, a strong personal affection for him. I know the Ceann Comhairle has approached the job with integrity and fairness, reflecting the honour that he has brought to the Oireachtas as a Member of the House and the way in which he has represented the country abroad as chairman of our Parliament. I am confident that he will have no difficulty keeping order and that any falling out will be short-lived and easily resolved. I promise that my party will do everything it can to help him in his work.

I offer my commiserations to Deputy Denis Naughten. I thank him for putting his name forward. There is no democracy without candidates and a contest. I congratulate him on being re-elected so decisively in the difficult and challenging constituency of Roscommon-Galway, which will thankfully not now be a two-seater at the next general election. I am sure he will have many other happier days.

This is an important time in our political history and the future is not clear. However, I am certain that the Ceann Comhairle will be successful in this role and will serve our Dáil and country with great distinction. My party will do everything that it can to ensure that the business of this House runs smoothly and that our work is meaningful and engaging. I believe that one lesson from the last Dáil is that Members must be held accountable for what they do and do not do here. Sometimes this did not happen and faith in our political life was eroded and damaged to the detriment of all of us. We need to find robust mechanisms in this new Dáil to ensure transparency and accountability when it comes to voting, attendance and other matters. No one should be in any doubt that we are here as servants of the people and must serve them with integrity to the best of our abilities, or there will be consequences, not just for them but for everyone else.

I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle again and wish him good luck in his term. I wish him and his family good fortune over the lifetime of this Thirty-third Dáil.

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