I will now take nominations for the office of Taoiseach.

Molaim dhuit, a Cheann Comhairle, Seán Ó Loinsigh agus molaim go n-ainmneoidh an Dáil é le dul ós comhair an Uachtaráin le bheith againn mar Thaoiseach agus ceann an Rialtais óir tá sé ceapaithe cheana féin mar Thaoiseach ag muintir na hÉireann.

A Cheann Comhairle, is mian liomsa cuidiú leis an dtairiscint atá molta ag an Teachta Major de Valera. Níl an bheirt againn ach ag deimhniú an méad atá ráite ós árd ag muintir na hÉireann roint seachtain ó shin.

In seconding this motion that Jack Lynch be our Taoiseach I am only endorsing, as Deputy de Valera said, the verdict of the Irish people, the verdict of the risen people. Táim cinnte go mbeidh Seán Ó Loinsigh ina Thaoiseach chomh maith agus a bhí againn ariamh agus mar a bhí sé cheana. Rath Dé air agus gura fada buan é inár measc.

I am putting the question that Deputy Jack Lynch be nominated as Taoiseach.

A Cheann Comhairle, ba mhaith liom fíor-bhuíochas a chur in íul don Dáil as ucht mé a ainmniú mar Thaoiseach. A Cheann Comhairle, I am very conscious of the great honour being conferred on me and I want to thank the Dáil for nominating me to this high office. I am also very conscious of the many problems facing us. I will try as Taoiseach to deal with them to the best of my ability.

It is necessary now, Sir, that I should go and inform the President of my nomination so that he may appoint me. Accordingly, I suggest that the Dáil should adjourn until 5.30 p.m. this afternoon and resume at that time.

At this juncture I should like to announce that when the Dáil resumes at 5.30 p.m., in accordance with precedent, Members on my left will take their seats on my right and Members on my right will take their seats on my left.

Business suspended at 4.05 p.m. and resumed at 5.30 p.m.