Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle, agus comhghairdeas.

I thank all the constituents in Dublin Mid-West who elected me and put their faith in me. In the very limited time I have, I would like to recall how long it has been since I was an elected Member here. It is almost 14 years. Back in 2011, the amount of carbon in the atmosphere was 391 ppm. It is now 428 ppm. Our emissions per head of population continue to increase. That is the sad vista that faces us, the big international challenge, but we have so many national challenges that we have to face as well. The other thing I remember from 2011 is that there was a lot of grandstanding and a lot of hot air. Feicimid an seanscéal céanna arís.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald may make an excellent Taoiseach next year or at some stage but her nomination today was premature. Sinn Féin knew it. It did not talk to all the Members who may support a Sinn Féin government. The outgoing Government had a chance to put in something new, but so far it looks like a cold or lukewarm bit of tea with a bag still in it at a convenience store in Thurles. We need to think bigger.

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