Deputy Mary Lou McDonald - speech from 20 Feb 2020

Hello and I have great time for Cian Comhairle to see a good year. And you have great time for Cian Comhairle for the last year. Your honor is back and your honor is back. And so many of you have your pleasure at Cian Comhairle and all of you in the family and your family's family. And I have a little bit and same thing for Cian Comhairle for the last year. to Deputy Dennis Nocton. We all know that the job of Count Corlea is not an easy one. We all at times have, and no doubt will, give cause to keep you on your toes. But it is of course a very important role, not least because you are tasked with defending the rights of members of this Dáil. It's your job that the mandate of every TD is respected and by extension that the people who sent us here are represented well. I think you have done a very good job in the role of Count Corlea over the past four years. You undoubtedly have the skill set and the ability to continue the much needed process of Dáil reform which you steered over the course of your tenure to make this Dáil more responsive to the everyday needs and concerns of citizens. Because the people have voted for change. They have expressed their democratic demand for a politics that is firmly focused on addressing the challenges that they face in their everyday lives. They want change and they want solutions. And that desire, that instruction from the people must be reflected here in the Dáil Chamber in how we engage, in how we communicate, in how we do our business. I would argue strongly in how we form the next government to be a government for change. But I am also mindful of the need for this Dáil to be a Dáil for change. A House that genuinely strives to deliver for all our people. The people have called for a new departure in Irish politics. A future not dominated by a restrictive two-party system, but one in which their interests are the priority of everybody elected to the Dáil. So it's all of our responsibilities and not just you alone, Caan Córle, to ensure that the people get delivered the change that they have voted for. Caan Córle, for our part in Sinn Fein, I want to assure you of our support in all of your work. I look forward to working with you. I look forward to putting you on your toes and perhaps you keeping me on mine. So we wish you well from all of us from this in large Sinn Fein team. We say goonairi an tólat, agus leda clán, agus goreibh míle maith agat Caan Córle, for all your service. Thank you. Thank you.