Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Deputy Verona Murphy on being elevated to the high office of Ceann Comhairle and wish her well. I thank the outgoing Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, for his dedication and the fair play he afforded to everyone in this Chamber, because he did. We will remember him. He changed many things that applied under previous Cinn Comhairle for the better.

I thank the people of Kerry who entrusted me and elected me for a third time to represent them. My focus will be on Kerry and the people of Kerry day in and day out. Like Deputy Michael Healy-Rae said, it is the people of Ireland after those of Kerry – Kerry first and the rest of the country after it.

I thank my canvassers and the people who put up posters for me and went around the roads with me day and night. I thank my team, led by Johnny Healy-Rae and Maura Healy-Rae, who happens to be the Mayor of Killarney, which I am very proud of. They are two great councillors. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae’s son, Jack, is a great councillor as well.

Again, I say to the Ceann Comhairle that it is about Kerry and the people of Kerry. I am glad they entrusted me to serve them here for the third time.

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