Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move: "That Senator Denis Landy be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach."

I speak as a former Deputy Leader of this House and quite a number of women have held the positions of Leader and Deputy Leader over recent years. In fact, the Seanad has a much better record than the Dáil - it just needs to be stated - in terms of women's representation. That is an important point. We have hit the figure of 30%. The Dáil still has not got to that point.

It gives me great pleasure to nominate Senator Landy for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. As leader of the Labour Party group, I am delighted to do so. I have worked with Denis for the past five years. Many of those who were Senators during the previous session will know Denis as an active and highly engaged Senator. For those who do not know him and are new to the House, Denis is from Carrick-on-Suir. He was a councillor for many years before his election to the Seanad in 2011, and he has long experience of chairing meetings at local level as a councillor as well as at national and European level. Colleagues may be unaware that Denis previously chaired a committee within the Committee of the Regions at EU level. I think all will acknowledge that Denis is regarded as fair, trustworthy and honourable in his dealings with his colleagues and in the work he has done and will continue to do in this term as a Senator.

I ask colleagues of all parties and none to consider supporting, in the spirit of the new politics, Senator Denis Landy as Leas-Chathaoirleach. We have already paid tribute to the Cathaoirleach, who is not from the largest party in the House but who is from one of the two largest parties in the House. I suggest that in the spirit of new politics, the Leas-Chathaoirleach should not be drawn from one of the two largest politics in the House and that instead we should be looking to someone from a different grouping. In particular, I ask colleagues to support Senator Landy for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. Senator Humphreys will second the nomination.