Newly elected Taoiseach Brian Cowen received his seal of office from President Mary McAleese today after his election as the State’s 12th Taoiseach.
He told the Dáil he was “deeply honoured” and would take up the role with “a genuine sense of humility” after he was elected to the post by 88 votes to 76.
He told the House that Ireland of 2008 was a much better place to live for its citizens than ever before and "far fewer of our people are struggling on the margins of our society".
But he acknowledged the Government faced the challenge of mobilising Irish citizens away from self-interest and towards community responsibility and social harmony.
"One of the challenges we face today is to temper a rising tendency towards individualism within Irish society," Mr Cowen told the Dáil.
The new Taoiseach Brian Cowen in the Dáil today
"We have reaped benefits from the more confident Ireland as presented by its most successful people forging new opportunities at home and abroad.
"Overdone this carries risks. Not correctly harnessed this can sap the energy from our sense of community which is still strong and visible in so many ways. What we must prioritise is to turn the benefits of individual flair to the benefit of the community as a whole."
Mr Cowen said there was no more urgent or important task ahead of him than ensuring that the Irish people ratified the Lisbon Treaty. The political, economic and social landscape in Ireland had been utterly transformed for the better by membership of the European Union.
“The greatest mistake we could make now is to move away from that opening out to the world that has brought such benefits to our nation," Mr Cowen said.
He also saluted his predecessor Bertie Ahern, describing him as “an inspirational example”.
Congratulating Mr Cowen, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the new leader “epitomised faithfulness” in his attitude to Fianna Fail and his constituents.
But Mr Kenny said the challenge now facing Mr Cowen was to balance that loyalty against the requirements of the national interest.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said Mr Cowen had a reputation as “very capable and combative” politician. Mr Gilmore warned that the Laois-Offaly TD was coming to office at “a changed time in the country” when many people were worried about their jobs, their businesses and concerned about the services they would get from the State.
Green Party leader and Minister for the Environment John Gormley said Mr Cowen knew the Green vision well and understood the need for consensus on the issue of climate change.
Progressive Democrat leader Mary Harney described Mr Cowen as a man of “enormous ability and intelligence” which he will bring to the benefit of the new Government.
Sinn Fein’s Dail leader Caoimhghín O’Caoláin wished Mr Cowen well in his new post but said the Irish people were still awaiting for quality public services to be delivered by the Government.
Mr Cowen was earlier nominated for the post by Bertie Ahern who said Mr Cowen was a uniquely well-qualified candidate “to lead the country towards the realisation of our shared objectives” and to face the challenge ahead.
The nomination was seconded by Green Party leader John Gormley and Progressive Democrat leader Mary Harney. Mr Gormley described Mr Cowen as "tough but fair minded".
Ms Harney said Mr Cowen had “enormous ability and intelligence”.
“I have found in Brian Cowen somebody who understands the Constitutional imperative of collective Cabinet responsibility,” Ms Harney told the House.
“I think he genuinely is a team player. He not only has my good wishes, but also the good wishes of the vast majority of the people of this country,” she added.
Fine Gael finance spokesman Richard Bruton nominated his party leader Enda Kenny as Taoiseach.
Nominating Labour leader Eamon Gilmore as taoiseach, the party's deputy leader Joan Burton said the Government needed a change of guard.
Ms Burton claimed Mr Cowen had failed to take corrective measures as minister for finance when signals that the economy was slowing down were apparent.
Mr O’Caoláin said his party was not supporting Mr Cowen’s nomination because of the Government’s policies while in power.
“We see the results of those policies today in our crisis-ridden health services, in poorly resourced schools, in the worsening drugs scourge and violent crime, in the deep divide between the privileged and the marginalised,” Mr O’Caolain told the House.
At the start of today's Dáil session, Mr Ahern officially informed the Ceann Comhairle that he had tendered his resignation to the President yesterday. Mr Ahern tendered his resignation as Taoiseach to President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday evening in accordance with Article 28.9.1 of the Constitution.
Mr Cowen then travelled to Áras an Uachtaráin where he received his seal of office.
The new taoiseach arrived back in Government Buildings and immediately set about forming his Cabinet. Once all his ministers were informed of their appointments he his new team into the Dáil chamber.
Mr Ahern took part in his last official engagement today, leading the Government at the official commemoration of the 1916 Rising at Arbour Hill this morning. President McAleese also attended.