Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Last night Verona was relaxed, this morning she was a nervous Deputy and she is now Ceann Comhairle, so it was quite a good transition overnight. I congratulate her on her elevation to the distinguished position of Chair of Dáil Éireann. Her election is a welcome and historic milestone event. In putting her name forward for nomination, my colleagues in the Regional Group had every confidence in her ability to be fair, impartial and impressive in the conduct of her role. It is a singular personal honour. Her family, friends and supporters and the people of Wexford will reflect and bask in the glory of her achievement. We wish her every success.

I thank the outgoing Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, for his impeccable conduct of Dáil business in his period as Ceann Comhairle. I thank him for the courtesy and kindness that he extended to all Members of this House, in particular the members of our regional group.

In relation to the nomination before us, I think it is premature to talk about the appointment of a Taoiseach. The people have spoken through the ballot box. As privileged Members of the Thirty-fourth Dáil, we now have the responsibility to form a government. The people we represent want us to move forward. They want us to elect a strong, stable government - a government that has the cohesion to last a full term of five years and a government that is capable of confronting and dealing with the many challenges that lie ahead. Our regional group will approach the formation talks in a positive and constructive manner and, hopefully, the people of Ireland will have a new government when we reconvene on 22 January.

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