Dáil Éireann elects new Ceann Comhairle

Posted on 13/10/09 by Seamus Kirk Dáil Éireann met today (Tuesday) and elected a new Ceann Comhairle. The new Ceann Comhairle is Séamus Kirk, T.D. who, on his election, becomes the the sixteenth Ceann Comhairle since the meeting of the first Dáil 90 years ago.

The Ceann Comhairle has represented the constituency of Louth since November 1982. He served as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food with special responsibility for Horticulture from March 1987 to February 1992 and was appointed Chairman of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party in 2002. He is a former Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs and is a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly.

Born in April 1945 (64 years) in Drumkeith, Co. Louth the Ceann Comhairle is a native of Knockbridge, County Louth where he lives with his wife, Mary. They have 3 sons and 1 daughter.

On his election the Ceann Comhairle, in accordance with Standing Orders declared "I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my knowledge and ability, execute the office of Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by this House in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of members in accordance with the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann".

Full Text of Speech made by Seamus Kirk, TD on his election as Ceann Comhairle

A Chomh-Theachtaí, tá mé an-bhuíoch díobh ar fad as an onóir mhór a bhronn sibh orm inniu agus mé a thoghadh mar Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas ó chroí libh uilig. Geallaim daoibh go ndéanfaidh mé mo dhícheall obair na Dála a riaradh de réir ardtraidisiún na hoifige, gradam na hoifige a chaomhnú, agus cothrom na Féinne a thabhairt do gach Teachta.

Taoiseach and Members of Dáil Éireann, I value very highly the great honour you have conferred on me today by electing me as Chairman of Dáil Éireann and I thank you most sincerely for the honour.

I realise fully it is impossible to carry out the work of this office without full co-operation of all members and because of this I now humbly seek that co-operation. I trust, and indeed feel sure this co-operation will be readily forthcoming at all times from all sides of the House.

My aim will be to carry out the work of the Chair in such a manner as to give full expression to all members consistent with our Standing Orders and the due business of the House before us.
In seeking to uphold the best traditions of this House I am mindful of my many illustrious predecessors. It would be remiss of me if I did not mention, in particular, my immediate predecessors, two of whom are now serving Members - Deputies Rory O'Hanlon and John O'Donoghue who both made significant contributions in upholding the Office of Ceann Comhairle and development of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. It was widely acknowledged by all sides of the House that Deputy John O'Donoghue was a very good Ceann Comhairle and his easy style in the Chair, tinged with wit, found favour with all Members. I would also like to mention coming from Louth, one of my predecessors Padraic Faulkner who is 90 and well.

I am by nature progressive and will readily embrace and faithfully implement any change to Dáil procedures made by Members themselves through the Dáil Reform Sub-Committee. I look forward as incoming chair of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to continue and encourage further modernisation
of the parliamentary administration within the current programme of cutbacks already adopted by the Commission, to ensure the support services for the running of this House are of the highest standards in keeping with the best international practice and governance.

I must now turn to perform my first official duty as Ceann Comhairle. In accordance with Standing Order No. 8 of the Standing Orders relative to Public business, I wish to make the following declaration:-

"I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my knowledge and ability, execute the office of Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by this House in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of members in accordance with the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann".

Mar fhocal scóir, tá mé fíor-bhuíoch díoch agus guím rath Dé oraibh go léir san Dáil nua seo.