Deputy Micheál Martin - speech from 20 Feb 2020

Oireachtas, Cian совершile the Great Day movement, Oireachtas, Fianna Fail, Chiaan Comhairle, Oireachtas, Fianna Fail, Aontu, We Are Grand, Oireachtas, Coil, Howe, Oireachtas, Fianna Fail, a Tate Claire, Oireachtas, Fianna Fail, Oireachtas, Kota, Oireachtas, Fianna Fail, Oireachtas, Fianna Fail. and I'd like to congratulate you on your re-election to an office which is one of the most important in our democracy. I also extend that congratulations to your wife Mary Clare, to your children Aoife, Quiva, Owen and Nasa, and your wonderful mother-in-law Beth Itmini for their support. We all know how families have to endure and share the burden of our political lives and they have stood loyally with you down through the years. This is the second time that the position of Ciancorla has been filled following a direct competition involving a secret ballot. I commiserate with Deputy Denis Nocton, a person for whom we have all great respect in this House, a fine parliamentarian who makes a significant contribution on an ongoing basis to public life. When we supported this reform some years ago we did it because we thought it was important that the Dáil should have a stronger role in regulating its own affairs which should start with increasing the status of the Ciancorla. We believe that this change has been successful and that this success has in large measure been due to how you have filled that role. We have no doubt that in what is likely to be a challenging Dáil you will fill the role with fairness, balance and integrity. This is the most diverse Dáil in the 101 years of this institution. Each party and each independent deputy brings with them a distinct mandate. It is the very essence of democracy that this diversity be respected. I hope that we will not see in this House the populist intolerance and aggression which seeks to shout down dissenting opinions and instruct others on what they are and are not allowed to do with their mandates. There is a lot of work which this Dáil needs to do. We must complete the job of becoming more effective not just in holding government to account but applying serious standards of review to all elements of our work. And we must take action which is not just a long wish list but a focused, urgent and credible agenda for delivering. We hope that under your direction in the coming term we will go to the next stage in terms of the independent financial and legal review of all matters which come before us. Building on the excellent work of the last Dáil during which the Legal Advisors Office was strengthened and the Budget Office was established. Outside of Leinster House the role of Ciancola is often seen in terms of a referee presiding over disputes on the evening news. However, the Office goes well beyond this and we look to you to be our leader in pushing us to do our work on behalf of all of the people in a professional, respectful and effective manner. And we salute the leadership you have shown today in reaching out to the Northern Assembly and indeed the British Parliament in nurturing and strengthening the different sets of relationships that are so critical to the future of this island and you have our full support in that regard. We have no doubt Ciancola that you will be just such a leader for this Dáil. Thank you very much. Deputy Mayor