Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Is mór an onóir dom a bheith san iomaíocht don phost an-tábhachtach seo, Leas-Cheann Comhairle Dháil Éireann. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go roghnófaí duine cosúil liom nó Teachta Connolly, duine a bhfuil an Ghaolainn aige nó aici agus atá in ann díospóireacht trí Ghaolainn a reáchtáil. Tugaim geallúint go n-oibreoidh mé go dian ar son gach duine sa Teach seo, is cuma cén páirtí ina bhfuil sé nó sí. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbeadh seans ag cúlbhinseoirí Dháil Éireann ach go háirithe a bheith páirteach go hiomlán sa Dáil. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall a bheith neamhspleách agus chun cothrom na Féinne a thabhairt do gach duine gach lá a bheinn sa Chathaoir.

It is a great honour for me to be nominated by my party, Fine Gael, and by Fianna Fáil agus an Comhaontas Glas to contest this election to the post of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. It is a great honour to be given that opportunity. I acknowledge everybody here, regardless of party or background. We all have the same mandate. We are all Teachtaí Dála. We are the voices of the people. We are democracy in action. This is where that must work best of all.

If I am elected as Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I promise to always be fair to everybody, to be impartial and to give due respect and recognition to everybody's point of view, regardless of what it is. My door will always be open to all Members to listen to any views they may and to take on board ideas and suggestions. As a politician, I believe in inclusion in our society and in our Oireachtas. I also believe in dialogue. Above all, if I am elected to this position, I will be businesslike and fair and will always strive to uphold the recognised rights of Members.

Speaking as someone with a lot of experience as a backbencher, I know how hard it is to become a Member of this House. I know what it is to fight elections. I also know, however, that we are here most of all to represent our constituents and their views and to fight for our communities and the people of our counties or districts. We are all committed and dedicated to that. I am aware of the sacrifices that Members and their families have made that have allowed them to vote here today. I recognise the importance of raising issues for one's constituency and of Topical Issue debates. It is important to be able to get messages out when raising issues with Ministers or when holding a Minister to account. Although I would not be responsible for committees in this role, I also understand how important it is to interrogate and to make sure that State bodies, public bodies and semi-State bodies are made properly and absolutely accountable.

If Members vote for me, I will guarantee them fairness and equality. I will be absolutely impartial. My record is good. I have acted as Mayor of Drogheda on three separate occasions. I have a lot of experience in public life as a town councillor, county councillor, Senator, Deputy, Minister of State, backbencher and, recently, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport. Members will recall the inquiry we held into the issues regarding the Football Association of Ireland. I believe I showed myself to be fair and impartial to everybody. If Members vote for me, as I hope they will, I will absolutely guarantee them respect, fairness and impartiality. Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle as ucht an seans labhairt inniu.

See this speech in context