THE holding of high office by a member of the Cosgrave family continued into the third generation yesterday, when Mr Liam Cosgrave was elected Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.
The occasion of Mr Cosgrave's triumph was notable for the number of Fianna Fail members who lauded his family's contribution to the building of democracy in the State.
Four senators were recalled from Rome for the vote. Mrs Mary Naughten, whose husband occupied the Chair until his untimely death was present for the election. She was accompanied by one of her sons, Denis.
Proposing Mr Cosgrave, the leader of the House, Mr Maurice Manning, said it was an election they all wished was not taking place.
Mr Cosgrave had many of the qualities which had contributed to the success of the last two chairmen. He came from a family tradition which was characterised by decades of public service and quiet patriotism.
Seconding the nomination, Ms Jan O'Sullivan (Lab) said Mr Cosgrave had long experience in politics, especially in the Seanad. He had developed well refined skills as Government chief whip. He could combine good humour with firmness.
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr G V Wright, proposed the present Leas Cathaoirleach, Mr Brian Mullooly. Mr Michael Finneran (FF), seconding the nomination, said Mr Mullooly was ideally fitted to carry out the role of Cathaoirleach.
Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind) described the candidates as people of the finest character. "This is the most difficult decision I have had to make since coming here ten years ago." He added that he would be voting for Mr Mullooly.
Mr John Dardis (PD) said it was a most important moment because the House was electing someone not just to the chairmanship to the Seanad but also to the Council of State. But his party was in opposition and they would be supporting the candidacy of Mr Mullooly.
Mr David Norris (Ind) suggested that someone from the independent benches should become Cathaoirleach. This was a reasonable option in a House that was supposed to be, by and large, divorced from the burly burly of party political life.
Mr Cosgrave had a most extraordinary pedigree in terms of his grandfather, his father, and his own service in the House. "I will have little difficulty in lending my support to him."
Mr Norris said he was voting politically because he wanted to keep the Government in its place. He thought it was important that those on the other side of the House should keep the Government as weak in voting strength as possible, so that the independents could continue to hold the balance of power in the House.
Whoever received this very important office did so because it lay in the gift of the deciding votes by the independent university senators. He hoped this fact would be registered by the Government when the House came to discuss matters such as the Universities Bill.
Mr Norris said he believed the incoming Cathaoirleach and the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges should look at the possibility of following the Dail tradition where the occupant of the Chair was deemed to be elected automatically at the next general election.
Mr Joe Sherlock (DL) said he hoped the new incumbent in consultation with the House leader would take steps to enable the Seanad to play a greater role in initiating legislation.
Congratulating Mr Cosgrave, Mr Dick Roche, (FF) said his family had contributed in an incalculable way to the building of democracy in the House and in the State. He knew that the new chairman would follow in this fine tradition.
Ms Madeleine Taylor Quinn, (FG) said it was a singular achievement for a member of the new Cosgrave generation to succeed to the fourth highest constitutional office.
Thanking his proposers and backers, Mr Cosgrave said he, wished that things were not as "they were and that his great friend Mr Liam Naughten, was still in the Chair."
The last 16 months had been traumatic for the Seanad and its staff. In Gordon Wilson they had lost a truly courageous man who had touched them all. In Sean Fallon and Liam Naughten they had lost fine Cathaoirligh.