Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As a person who nominated and voted for the outgoing Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who did a fine job, I accepted the democratic result when Deputy Murphy was elected Ceann Comhairle. The treatment she has been subjected to - it has been outlined by my two colleagues, so I do not have to repeat it - is nothing but shocking. I had a school group up last week; thankfully they were not here when this charade happened. Is this what the Opposition wants to call - as they have described it in the media and elsewhere - ferocious opposition?

Some people feel belittled or angry because they could not get into government. They had the chance; they did not. I want to say that I have the utmost confidence in Deputy Murphy, who has through her life, school days and working days, her education, her study of law and since she came in here, acted rightly at all times and on behalf of the people of Ireland. It is time we got down to the work we have to do, with the tariffs coming in probably tonight, and all the other issues such as housing - you name it. We need to get down to real politics here and work for the people who sent us here, and not the charades we have had here in the past number of weeks. I hope it will be a line in the sand and we will have the democratic principles of this House respected.

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