John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First, I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle on her election. I have not spoken in the Chamber since then. While I was a candidate in that election, she was the chosen one and I wish her well in her term of office. I want to thank the people of Carlow-Kilkenny for giving me the opportunity to represent them here once again and the fact that they gave me such a strong mandate. To all those who signed my nomination paper, and my own party, Fianna Fáil, I thank them for that support. I look forward to the contest here today.

I wish to avail of the few minutes we have to put before the House some of the things that I stand for and have stood for since my first election to local government in 1979 and, thereafter, my election to the Dáil in 1997. I believe the status quo has to be challenged at all times for the better. I believe disruptors in the system are necessary because we cannot become complacent in the work we do on behalf of the people who elect us. Along with reform, that has been the cornerstone of my contribution to public life, always with an emphasis on public service. That is necessary for all of us to understand.

This Dáil has a serious obligation and responsibility because of the changes that are taking place in the world to bring forward the reforms that are necessary and to put in place the type of Administration that will best deliver to the people whom all of us represent. It needs to deliver on value for money, supporting front-line workers, gardaí and the Army, and making sure that the marginalised, the sick and the elderly are central to all of what we do. Of course, this Chamber has an obligation to ensure the Government lives up to its first obligation, which is to keep its people safe.

All of this has a lot to do with the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Ceann Comhairle and the different cathaoirligh who are there to support the Ceann Comhairle in her role because all of these issues need to be debated in constructive way in this House. All of the Members deserve the right to have the time to have the necessary forum available to them to bring forward their own views and to bring forward what is of concern to them and their constituents. The rights of Members must be defended all of the time. We must always consider those whom we represent in terms of priority to them. As they look in at the debates in the Dáil, we have to use those debates and the various events in the course of our time here in Leinster House to instil confidence in the public.

I would say to Members that there is a need for all of us to be respectful of each other and of what we say here in the Dáil and to ensure we do not insult one another and, thereby, send out wrong messages, nor indeed misbehave to the extent that people lose faith in democracy itself. To do that, I would say to Members that all of us have the time to contribute. All of us are equal here in this House and we should all be listened to. That goes for Government as well, because I have often seen arguments start because of a lack of direct information coming from Government in terms of parliamentary questions and in terms of response times for the agencies of the State as they respond to the queries of Members as put forward in this House through written or oral parliamentary questions. I have seen great debates in this House where lots has been said and yet some of the key points made by Opposition and by Government back benchers have not been included in the policy or legislation that was being discussed. If we are all equal, if we all recognise and are respectful of each other and know the job, we have to do, I believe that we can bring about the type of reform that is absolutely necessary as we move into a different world.

I mention the Gaeilge versus Béarla debate that has gone on in this House.

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