Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In respect of No. 4, Standing Order 9 states that notice is required, and I accept that. However, today's Order Paper contains the nomination of Deputy Howlin, against whom I have nothing at all, as Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Standing Order 30 states four days' notice must be given of a motion so that an amendment to it can be tabled with two days' notice. Many of these matters are at the discretion of the Ceann Comhairle. If I am wrong — and I accept what the Standing Order states about notice — the notice on today's Order Paper was not circulated in accordance with the other Standing Order which requires four days' notice. I am not proposing a new motion on the election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle but an amendment to what the Taoiseach wishes to speak about. I would prefer to come back to No. 4 and deal with that. Throughout the discussions I said I had objections to the motion before the House and I merely wish to clarify those objections.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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If Deputy Kenny wishes to clarify the situation in the interest of proceeding with the business of the House, I will allow him to do so.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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On No. 4, the Taoiseach said he wished to nominate Deputy Howlin as Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Deputy Rabbitte did not have an opportunity to respond to that. If Deputy Rabbitte wishes to respond first, I might then clarify my reasons for objecting to the motion in the manner proposed by the Taoiseach.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I pointed out before that the position was that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle at that point had been elected. I do not know if Deputy Kenny heard me say that, but that is precisely what I said.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I was asked if I objected to the motion and I said "Yes".

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Then, it was up to you, Deputy Kenny, to call a vote.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Normally, the Ceann Comhairle says, "Is the motion agreed?". I said "No, it is not and I object to it". The Ceann Comhairle should then have put the question but you did not.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I did not put the question because nobody said——

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Are you prepared to put the question now?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Then I will put the question.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In objecting to this item being taken without debate, I made the point that the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle is an important one. The Taoiseach confirmed that he wished the Opposition to hold the office of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. That being the case, the Leaders of the Opposition parties should at least have been invited to nominate a person whom the Opposition would put forward as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

The Taoiseach has made a magnanimous gesture in allowing the Leas-Cheann Comhairle to be appointed from the Opposition benches. However, he has gone further and named an individual Deputy without any consultation with the Fine Gael Party which has 51 Members, almost a third of the Dáil Members. That shows contempt and shows no respect for an electoral mandate given to us by more than 500,000 people.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have no objection to the character or qualities of Deputy Howlin. I am sure many Deputies would fulfil the duties of Leas-Cheann Comhairle with great distinction. I wanted to propose the name of Deputy Pádraic McCormack, a long-serving Member with a great understanding of the rules in local authority, Seanad and Dáil business. He is a fitting person to hold this office.

I do not mean to be disrespectful to any other Member but the way in which this has been dealt with by the Government bypasses the major party in Opposition. The Taoiseach nominated a Member for the position while at the same time saying the nomination should be drawn from the ranks of the Opposition. It has been a long time since this happened and in my view it amounts to contemptuous treatment of the Dáil.

In speaking to my objection to the process by which this has been done, I put forward the name of Deputy Pádraic McCormack.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Then I will put the question.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I will say a word in support of the Taoiseach's nomination of my colleague, Deputy Brendan Howlin, for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Deputy Kenny has quite rightly said there are a number of people in the House who could discharge the functions of Leas-Cheann Comhairle with distinction. I am bound to say I can think of no Member of the House, however, who is more suited to the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle than Deputy Brendan Howlin. He has served with distinction in this House for 20 years, in different positions in and out of Government. He is a skilled parliamentarian with a detailed knowledge of parliamentary procedure. He is dedicated to enhancing the institutions of the Oireachtas. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to second his nomination for Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

On the last day I made certain remarks on the election of the Ceann Comhairle about the departure of what is now becoming ancient practice, namely, a Member from the Opposition benches being installed as Ceann Comhairle. These remarks preceded the election of Deputy O'Donoghue and in no way impute any motives to him, partisan or otherwise. I do not do that but rather affirm the argument I made on the last day to the effect that it is important the practice of drawing the Ceann Comhairle from the Opposition side of the House should be reverted to. I acknowledge that the Taoiseach's approach to Deputy Howlin goes some way to redress the imbalance. However, all of us need to be concerned about both the relevance and perceived relevance of Dáil Éireann as regards its ability to respond to issues that preoccupy the public at any given time and about its agility in responding to issues of topical concern. More and more nowadays we live in a political environment where the winner takes all. I do not believe this is good for politics nor for the institutions of these Houses.

In addition to some 35 positions of office holders in the last Administration, out of 21 chairmen, 18 were drawn from the Government benches. I do not believe that is a sustainable position. It is an honourable tradition in this House that there ought to be a vigorous Opposition. The fact that positions predominantly go to the Government side of the House is not in keeping with that objective, however. In conclusion, I do not believe it is adequate for the Ceann Comhairle, his immediate predecessor or any holder of that office to say, in effect, "If you don't like the rules, change them". The truth is that unless the Government goes along with any proposed rule change, it will not happen. Frequently in the bartering that goes on, Government will naturally seek to protect its position. We therefore have to live within the rules as they exist. It is not just a question of the fair and impartial application of those rules, but a matter of their fair, impartial and commonsense application. Otherwise this side of the House is greatly constrained in its primary task of holding the Government to account.

Having said that, I am delighted to second the nomination of Deputy Brendan Howlin. It is an important gesture that there is somebody in the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle who is respected on all sides of the House, who has that knowledge of parliamentary procedure and who is dedicated to fairness. On my behalf and that of my party colleagues I wish him well in the discharge of the functions of that office.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Deputy Kenny made a keen observation on the importance of having all-party consultation on the appointment of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I hope that is what he meant and that he was not just referring to the two main Opposition parties. It is important that all parties and Opposition voices have the right to be consulted on such an important appointment given that we are all answerable to the Chair during the course of debate and other matters in this Chamber. It is important that we feel we are part of the selection process and are not just handed a fait accompli.

While I recognise that Deputy Kenny's nominee, Deputy McCormack, is a fine and able Deputy with many years of experience, it is unfortunate that Deputy Howlin finds himself in stormy waters that are not of his making in the passage of his nomination.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am sure he will survive.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It is important to affirm that there should be no smear or question attached to his nomination in seeking the role of Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Accordingly, the Sinn Féin Deputies will support Deputy Howlin's nomination to the position in line with the nomination originally presented. However, I ask that the points Deputy Kenny made on the future conduct of the selection process be taken on board by the Taoiseach — perhaps he will not be in a position to do so on the next occasion. I hope that whoever holds the position of Taoiseach in the future will listen to the concerns of Deputies regarding this election to the role of Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Before putting the question, I wish to clarify that, not having been in a position to accept the nomination of Deputy Kenny, I was not being in any way derogatory in respect of Deputy McCormack. When Deputy Kenny first made the proposal, I did not know the name of the Deputy concerned. I merely pointed out then, and point out now that under the rules of the House it simply was not possible for me to accept, without notice from Deputy Kenny, a name by way of amendment to Deputy Howlin's nomination.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Tá mé fíor-bhuíoch den Teach as ucht mé a thoghadh mar Leas-Cheann Comhairle, ach go háirithe den Taoiseach agus de cheannaire Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre, an Teachta Rabbitte. Is mór an onóir domsa, do mo chlann, do mo dháilcheantar, agus do mo pháirtí é. Geallaim go ndéanfaidh mé mo dhícheall dualgais na hoifige a chomhlíonadh go díograiseach agus cothrom na féinne a thabhairt do gach Comhalta sa 30ú Dáil.

I am very grateful to the House and am deeply honoured to be elected to the office of Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

As was said kindly by those who supported me, I have a deep respect for the House and every Member who goes through the electoral process to get here. I look forward to making the declaration required of me when I take the Chair for the first time. I pledge to the House to do all I can to advance the rights and privileges of Members, who are democratically elected to the House, and to uphold the tradition and dignity of the House in all that I do in their name.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Ba mhaith liom cúpla focail buíochas a rá mar gheall ar mo cheannaire, an Teachta Enda Kenny, a mhol mé le bheith mar Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank my party leader for proposing me for the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle of the Dáil, a very prestigious and important position. I am honoured to have received the support of my party, Fine Gael, for the position and take the opportunity to wish Deputy Howlin every success as Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I wish my constituency colleague, Deputy Howlin, the best of luck. Deputy Howlin has more than 20 years experience as a Member of the Oireachtas and will, no doubt, make a very fine Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Unfortunately, I was unable to support Deputy Howlin, but he will understand the process of democracy and my support for my party colleague, Deputy McCormack, who would also have made a very fine Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

I had many skirmishes with the last Ceann Comhairle but hope I will not have many with Deputy Howlin or the sitting Ceann Comhairle. I look forward to working with Deputy Howlin over the coming years.

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I congratulate Deputy Howlin. During my 25 years in Wexford politics, sparring with Deputy Howlin, I have always found him to be decent and honourable. I have no doubt that he will carry out his duties in a fair and impartial manner.

Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am delighted Deputy Howlin has been selected as Leas-Cheann Comhairle, though disappointed that Deputy McCormack did not make it. Unfortunately, that is the political process. I am a little bit dissatisfied with the way it has happened, but that is life.

I have known Deputy Howlin all my life, but did not expect to be speaking about him on the first occasion in the Dáil. We will all benefit from Deputy Howlin's knowledge and experience in the Chamber, including the Ceann Comhairle. Deputy Howlin will be a cool hand and a steady head and I wish him well.

Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to be associated with the comments of my colleagues from the Wexford constituency. I am delighted for Deputy Howlin and his family. He is a very capable performer who has represented the people of Wexford very well over the years. He will command the respect of all sides of the House. I wish him well in his tenure.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I have known Deputy Howlin all his life. We were born on opposite sides of William Street in Wexford, he on the richer one. I have known the Howlin family all my life. Deputy Howlin's younger brother Ted, whom I believe is in attendance, was and remains my dearest friend.

Deputy Howlin was described as "decent" and "honourable" and I cannot think of two more appropriate words. He comes from a wonderful political family which has made a great contribution to politics not just in Wexford, but nationally. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Deputy Howlin.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Tá súil agam go mbeimid in ann obair ar son muintir na hÉireann agus ar son Tithe an Oireachtais. Níl aon dabht i mo aigne ach go mbeidh. I take the opportunity to congratulate warmly the Leas-Cheann Comhairle whom I have known for many years as a man of great integrity and sincerity. I look forward greatly to working with him on behalf of the House and the people of Ireland.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I congratulate Deputy Howlin who has many friends across the political divide in the House, among whom I include myself.