Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Apart from the few times when he used his casting vote to vote with the Government, his impartiality was impeccable and he always gave us very fair hearings here. Hopefully, the new Cathaoirleach will do the same. It is very important we do not dance to the media tune which would lead us to believe everything has already been decided. Given that the Seanad is sitting and no vote has been taken, it is up to the Members to decide who should be Cathaoirleach. We are told there is an agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, which would lead us to believe we may have a "Fianna Gael" coalition for however long we will be here. I hope it is not the case. It would not be to the benefit of the Seanad.

I nominate my colleague, Senator Rose Conway-Walsh for the position of Cathaoirleach. It would be an important decision on the part of the Seanad to put a woman in the Chair. I have known Senator Conway-Walsh for a very long time. She has been an impeccable councillor. She is very fair minded and will listen to everybody's point of view. She has wonderful experience in Mayo County Council, where she has had to adjudicate in many battles. Senator Paddy Burke has shown that the people from Mayo have particular mettle when it comes to sitting in such a position. Senator Conway-Walsh also has extensive experience in community development working in her local community in Belmullet.

Tá mé cinnte gurb í an bhean is feiliúnaí don phost. Tá an-onóir orm go bhfuil mé in ann í a ainmniú inniu don phost mar Chathaoirleach. Tá súil agam go dtabharfaidh daoine ó gach taobh den Teach tacaíocht di le cinntiú nach bhfuil an móramh - Fianna Fáil agus Fine Gael - ag rialú gach rud a tharlaíonn sa Teach seo. Tá sé tábhachtach go dtabharfaí aitheantas do na grúpaí eile atá anseo: na Neamhspleáigh, lucht na hollscoile, na páirtíthe beaga ar nós Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre, muid féin i Sinn Féin agus mar sin de. Tá sé fíor-thábhachtach go dtaispeánfar inniu go bhfuilimid chun seasamh suas, go mbeidh an Seanad seo difriúil agus go mbeimid ag déanamh gnóthaí ar bhealach atá an-dhifriúil ón mbealach a bhí sé á dhéanamh go dtí seo.