Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The next matter is Nos. 1 to 4, motions regarding the election of the Leas-Chathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein)
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I move: "That Senator Máire Devine be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach."

Máire has been an elected councillor since 2011 and has worked diligently for her constituents in the south Dublin area for many years. Before being elected as a public representative, as a psychiatric nurse she had years of sterling commitment in the area of psychiatric care and was a champion of people who were being abandoned by the system. Wherever institutions were being threatened with closure, she worked with communities to ensure patients got the care and support they needed. She was very passionate on that issue in particular. On the broader issue of workers' rights, she has been a trade union official and a leader and spokesperson for many years.

We want to see strong women coming to the forefront of Irish politics and being elected to senior positions. Máire is a strong woman. She is a spokesperson, a campaigner and a fighter for disadvantaged people and for those who do not otherwise have a voice. I am delighted to nominate Máire to be Leas-Chathaoirleach of the House.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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I second the nomination of Senator Máire Devine as Leas-Chathaoirleach. As Senator Mac Lochlainn stated, Máire is a nurse, a mother, a lifetime trade union member and a member of the Psychiatric Nurses Association. However, the issue is a wider one. We have to understand that by not electing Máire we are complicit in creating an institution that has not elected a woman Cathaoirleach, in any case, for almost 40 years. That sends out a message-----

David Norris (Independent)
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Not so. What about Tras Honan?

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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Yes, but it has been thirty-something years.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Conway-Walsh, without interruption.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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It sends out a message that this institution is not serious about gender equality and which states clearly that party politics comes before gender equality. I remind people that we are not a Masonic lodge and it does not say in the little black book that we have to elect a man every time. No disrespect is intended to the men who have been elected, including the Cathaoirleach, but we have an opportunity here to elect a strong, capable woman. Sinn Féin will keep putting forward strong, capable women for positions of leadership in this House until we either get a woman elected or force other parties into putting forward women in the House. There are many strong, capable women in this House who deserve to be there.

Maire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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Mná na hÉireann.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I will take all the nominations together. I now call on Senator Bacik to move the motion proposing Senator Denis Landy.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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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.

Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
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I second the nomination of Senator Denis Landy to the position. I have known Denis for the past 20 years. He would bring great experience and fairness to the post. There is one thing that everyone who deals with Denis knows, which is how fair and honourable he is. His word is his bond. When he gives a commitment that he will chair meetings in this House fairly, he will do so and he will deliver. I ask all Members of the House, including non-party Members, in the spirit of new politics, to vote for Senator Denis Landy today.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader, Senator Buttimer, to propose Senator Coghlan.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I move: "That Senator Paul Coghlan be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach."

Molaim an Seanadóir Paul Coghlan mar Leas-Chathaoirleach ar an Seanad. Is mó bliain atá tugtha don pholaitíocht ag an Seanadóir, ní hamháin ag leibhéal an rialtais náisiúnta ach ag leibhéal an rialtais áitiúil leis. Leas-Chathaoirleach cumasach neamh-chlaonta a bheidh ann.

It is my privilege on behalf of the Fine Gael group to propose Senator Coghlan for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. Senator Coghlan comes to this position today with a huge volume of experience in local and national government along with his tremendous business acumen from his role as a business person. He is also a husband and a father and will bring to the role of Leas-Chathaoirleach an experienced voice and a fair perspective that will embrace all sides of the House. In all his time in this House, Senator Coghlan, I am sure, has never had a cross word with anyone. He was elected to Killarney Town Council in 1985, Kerry County Council in 1991 and to Seanad Éireann in 1997. As we all will remember from the Seanad election just gone, Senator Coghlan's Lazarus-like resurrection, thanks to a huge outpouring of transfers, will testify to his warmth and the goodwill towards him across the political divide. He will bring to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach a wide network of friends and contacts with which he can work.

It is also as a Member of this House that Senator Coghlan has demonstrated his ability to work on many different issues. These include banking and industry and commerce issues as well as issues regarding, in particular, the British-Irish Parliamentary Association where he was the chairperson of Committee A. This committee produced an important report on illicit trade and police co-operation and the Government accepted the recommendation on a task force in this report.

Equally, his efforts in regard to the cultural life in Kerry, in particular Muckross House, have shown his ability to work in many different facets. Those of us who know Senator Coghlan will know and understand his love and passion for Muckross. He was a trustee and a former chairman of Muckross House and revolutionised and transformed it into a very important visitor centre for the people of Killarney. He played a pivotal role in that.Those of us who used to work in local radio will know that he was one of the pioneers of the local radio movement when it began, and is to this day involved with Radio Kerry. Those of us who live on the Cork-Kerry border regularly hear Senator Coghlan on a Saturday morning speaking about anything from the price of milk to the price of whatever you want across Europe or the world. He is regularly on Radio Kerry.

It is important in this era of new politics that we have a person of experience. I commend the other Senators on their nominations and for contesting this. They are two very fine candidates. I know Senator Landy better. He is a very fine person and I wish him well, as I do Senator Devine. I hope she understands that there is nothing personal in our putting forward Senator Coghlan today.

It is important that we have a person of the calibre of Senator Paul Coghlan to deputise for the Cathaoirleach and to be an impartial Chair of the House in his absence. He is a man of the people, of this House and of the Oireachtas. He is extremely able, conscientious and firm and gives wise counsel. Those who have met and known him over the years will recognise that. I have had the pleasure of having Senator Coghlan as my beau on several occasions and he has been a very able date. On a serious note, it is my pleasure as Leader of the House to propose Senator Paul Coghlan.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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It is a pleasure to second Senator Coghlan’s nomination. He has been a county councillor, a Senator and, for the past few years, a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. He is also a former banker and a member of the Institute of Banking. He was a member of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers. He was also involved in establishing links with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, he co-authored a report on illicit trade and police co-operation North and South which highlighted all criminal trading along the Border and recommended the establishment of a task force to tackle such issues. He brings with him a wealth of experience from inside and outside this House. I have no doubt that he would be an excellent Leas-Chathaoirleach. He has been an Acting Chairman in this House over the past ten years and has gained valuable experience. He is also an undertaker and was the last man to put a smile on a lot of faces. I have no doubt he is an ideal candidate for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Is Senator Burke saying he will be the last man to let him down?

We move on to the next motion. Senator McDowell wishes to propose Senator Craughwell.

Michael McDowell (Independent)
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I propose Senator Craughwell to be elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach.

This House, unlike the other House, has never addressed seriously the manner in which its Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected. It is not a position that should be in the gift of any other House or any person who is not a Member of this House. It is not a position that should be bartered in a process of exchange for support in the other House for people who want to be elected to positions in that House. The time has come for this House to seriously consider how it elects its own officers-----

David Norris (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Michael McDowell (Independent)
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-----and to accept for itself the autonomy of deciding who should and should not be its Chairman and Vice Chairman in future. We are blessed on this occasion that all the candidates proposed, and the candidate I am proposing, are suitable people to be appointed Vice Chairman of this House as the Cathaoirleach was to be appointed Chairman. All are people worthy of the position, I have no doubt. The only way to ensure that in future this House takes its autonomy seriously and elects the person it really wants to have in a position, rather than engaging in horse-trading among various outside interests or the interests of the Government or the Opposition - because the new politics may not always prevail - is to make the changes to the Standing Orders of this House that were made to the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann, to provide for a system of election by secret ballot on a proportional representation basis. That was done in Dáil Éireann as a result of a campaign. I played a minor part in that campaign, speaking in Glenties in Donegal about the necessity of it. A campaign was carried out to ensure that the last Dáil was not dissolved without making the position of Cathaoirleach autonomous and elected by the Members without reference to party whips, diktats from the Government or deals between parties, but on the basis that each individual Member, voting with his or her conscience, experience and judgment, voted for the candidate he or she thought best. This House should follow the precedent the other House has set to give itself the scope of private judgment to decide these matters rather than to read about them in the newspapers. I read a fortnight ago what was likely to happen today and that people were putting together deals on positions in the other House. This does not apply to Senator Coghlan but I read in one newspaper article that a particular outcome had been bartered between two groups, depending on support in one House for one outcome and for another outcome in this House. That is not right.

Turning to the merits of my candidate, Senator Craughwell is a former president of the Teachers' Union of Ireland, TUI. He has immense experience chairing individual institutions. He has chaired conferences. He has chaired the national executive committee of the TUI and joint meetings between the TUI, the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland, the Irish National Teachers Organisation and the Irish Federation of University Teachers. He has chaired further education and training committees and the organisation and training committee of the TUI.

Senator Craughwell came into this House by the Independent route. He has no party political baggage behind him. He would discharge his function in a totally independent and non-partisan way. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to nominate him. In nominating Senator Craughwell, Senator Boyhan and I want to make it clear that the group to which we belong, the Seanad Independent group, is not allied to any other political party and is not part of some informal coalition. We will exercise our independent judgment on all issues, and in that spirit and for that reason, I commend the election of Senator Gerard Craughwell as Leas-Chathaoirleach of this House.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I endorse what Senator McDowell said, first in respect of the call for a secret ballot for these positions. That is very important and valid. It has happened in Dáil Éireann, why should it not happen in Seanad Éireann? That is a challenge to all of us as Senators with our respective contacts and parties.

Senator Craughwell is neither an undertaker nor a caretaker but has proved himself very hardworking. I spoke to several independent councillors yesterday about local government reform and local councils and they asked me would it ever be possible for an Independent to be elected to either of these prestigious positions. We have heard a lot in the past few days about new politics. Let us not cod ourselves: it is about the reality of a new political issue. We have been dealt figures and numbers on the returns in the last general election and the last Seanad election. We have to face up to a new political reality, but to gloss it as something else is a bit misleading. I endorse the nomination of Senator Craughwell and I am happy to second Senator McDowell.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Coghlan is the new Leas-Chathaoirleach. Consequently, the following motion, in the name of Senator Craughwell, now lapses. On the occasion it is, I call on the new Leas-Chathaoirleach to say a few words.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I am slightly emotional. I sincerely thank my proposer, Senator Jerry Buttimer, and my seconder, Senator Paddy Burke. They said a few things about me.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Coghlan, you are entitled to be emotional today. Tóg go bog é.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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They employed some poetic licence, if I may say so. They said things about me. They made me sound like a Jack of all trades but, hopefully, not a master of none. Jerry joked about me - well, he did not joke. I believe I was at a function with him once and I must say he was a very pleasant dining companion, and I was very happy to accompany him. He picked me up at home to take me to that lovely place in Killarney where he was a guest of honour at an Irish Medical Organisation do. Then I had Paddy Burke talking about my undertaking days. The only undertaking I do now is I undertake to be scrupulously fair and impartial any time I occupy that seat.

I commend all that has been said today. I sincerely commend the other candidates.As was said by Senator McDowell, any one of the them would have been fit to occupy the Chair. I think we are going to get on well together in the new politics in which we are all now engaged. I am very grateful. Go raibh maith agaibh.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I ask Senator Landy, as one of the defeated candidates, to say a few words. I suggest that everyone keep their comments brief.

Denis Landy (Labour)
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I will be very brief and I will not get emotional either. I could cry but I am not going to. I congratulate Senator Coghlan on achieving the post. He is one of the longest-serving Members of this House and I wish him well as Leas-Chathaoirleach. On a personal level, we are very good friends and shall remain so.

One often hears that a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush, and we learn what that means every day. I did not realise that Senator Coghlan had had so many professions, which gives a new meaning to the phrase "He has the measure of you." We now know that the Senator will be watching all of our sides. I shall finish by saying well done and congratulations.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach on his election. He is a lucky man that I did not speak ahead of him because his words have left me feeling deeply emotional. In all fairness, I believe he will be an excellent Leas-Chathaoirleach and I am very happy for him. He canvassed hard for the post and did very well. Congratulations. I look forward to working with him and perhaps watching him rise to his feet to tell me to sit down every now and then. I wish him well in the future and congratulations.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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On behalf of the Sinn Féin team here, I congratulate Senator Coghlan and wish him well. I am glad that the role means a lot to him and that he is committed to impartiality. We look forward to working with him in a constructive and collaborative way.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Conway-Walsh.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I do not normally give precedence or priority to Kerry people, but the Leas-Chathaoirleach is affectionately known as Lord Killarney, so I had better let the two Ciarraíoch, Senators Mark Daly and Ned O'Sullivan, say a few words.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach. I congratulate my fellow Kerryman. It is obvious that his appointment means a lot to him. He has been a Member of this House since 1997 and he has given it a lot of service. He has fought quietly for its protection and for change. He is very much of Kerry. The voice of the Kingdom is not just Paul Coghlan; it is also Radio Kerry, of which he is one of the founding members. He has also protected Killarney House and has seen the project to its fruition. He has done tireless and quiet work. He has also been a member of the trustees' board for Muckross House. He is very proud of Killarney but he is also very proud of Kerry, and Kerry is very proud of him. He has also worked on the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and on British-Irish relations. Again, he has been a quiet advocate in that regard. This is a great day for him and his family. It is good for the House to see someone who has such regard for this institution getting the recognition that he deserves. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, we congratulate him and we know that he will do a great job.

Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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I will be very brief. As the senior Senator for Kerry, I congratulate Senator Coghlan very sincerely. We have been friends a long time. He is a legend in Kerry, as he is here. We served for a period on the county council but he was always destined for the Seanad. He was born a Senator, he has adorned the Seanad and he is an exceptionally popular choice today. I am delighted for him, his wife Peggy and his family. It is a proud day for all of them.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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On behalf of the Labour Party group, I add my voice to those who are congratulating Senator Coghlan on his election as Leas-Chathaoirleach. He will do a superb job. It has been a pleasure to work with him over the past five years and I look forward to working with him in the future. I have had the pleasure that not many colleagues may have had of seeing him in his natural habitat of Muckross House in Killarney. I saw how well revered he is there. Perhaps now, as Leas-Chathaoirleach, he will achieve the ambition that he has often expressed in this House, which is to bring it to Muckross House. One never knows; he may succeed in bringing the Seanad to Kerry.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator mentioned Senator Coghlan's natural habitat. He reminds me of a little red squirrel, which is a protected species.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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We have a few of those too.

Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
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I warmly congratulate Senator Coghlan on his election as Leas-Chathaoirleach, on behalf of the Civil Engagement group. We very much look forward to benefitting from his experience and deeply felt commitment to the Seanad and what it can be. We also appreciate his commitment to working in an impartial manner. I know he has experience in terms of facilitating various voices on Radio Kerry. We hope that we will now see the voices of all of the nation, in its diversity, being facilitated in a constructive manner in the Seanad chamber. I congratulate the Senator and we look forward greatly to working with him.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Before I allow the Leader the last word, I want to say two things as Cathaoirleach. First, I sincerely thank all of the Members who showered bouquets on me today. A bit like the Leas-Chathaoirleach, I am not sure if I have earned such accolades yet, but time will tell. I sincerely thank everyone for their kind remarks. I wish Senator Coghlan, as Leas-Chathaoirleach, every success. He has been an Acting Chairman for the past ten years, as someone said, so he is quite experienced. I have no doubt that he will do a fantastic job and that he will let me away every second day.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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On my own behalf and that of the Fine Gael group, I congratulate Senator Coghlan. I did not know there were going to be tears and beauties home this evening. The emotion that the Senator showed at the announcement of his appointment is a demonstration of the love and affection that he has for this House and for the Seanad Chamber. I congratulate him and pay tribute to his wife Peggy, his sons and daughters and his brother Michael, who are seated in the Visitors' Gallery. I welcome them all here today and congratulate him. He will bring his keen sense of fairness and equity to his new role. We all look forward to working with him and wish him every success.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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It has been suggested by Senators that we have a sos until 3.10 p.m.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I propose that we adjourn for 20 minutes.