Cork's first time TDs make maiden speeches during Sinn Féin leader's bid to be Taoiseach

Three of Cork’s seven first-time TDs made their maiden speeches in Dáil Éireann today, during the first assembly of the 174 deputies elected at the general election held almost three weeks ago.

Cork North Central TD Ken O’Flynn, of Independent Ireland, along with Social Democrats TDs Liam Quaide (Cork East) and Pádraig Rice (Cork South Central) were among the speakers in a debate which followed the nomination of Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald to be Taoiseach.

Ms McDonald’s nomination was defeated by 110 votes to 44.

Four other Cork TDs also made their debut in the Dáil — Fine Gael’s John Paul O’Shea of Cork North West, the Labour Party’s Eoghan Kenny of Cork North Central, as well as Fine Gael’s Noel McCarthy in Cork East. Séamus McGrath, the brother of EU commissioner and former finance minister Michael McGrath, is the sole Fianna Fáil first-time TD from Cork.

Mr Quaide and Mr Rice were allocated two minutes each as part of the Social Democrats contribution to the debate on the election of Taoiseach, and Mr O’Flynn contributed to the debate also on behalf of the technical group convened by Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins of Cork South West.

Mr Quaide told the Dáil that while Ireland was a great place to live, “so many of the basics of a prosperous country” were not in place.

“The lack of affordable housing, the neglect of our disability and mental health services, and the decline of our natural world are all the results of poor decisions over many years and can be resolved with a different type of political will,” he said.

“If we continue with business as usual, inequality will become more entrenched and social divisions will deepen,” he said.

“These conditions are fertile ground for the far right to thrive.”

Mr Rice, meanwhile, spoke about the “need to progress solutions to the housing crisis, to fix the healthcare system, and to build a republic of equals that we can be all be proud of”.

“Today was a special day, and I was delighted to be joined in the Dáil by my family,” he said, speaking to The Echo.

Independent Ireland TD and party chairman Ken O’Flynn paid tribute to his father, former TD Noel O’Flynn, who he said had been his campaign manager during the general election.

“Noel imparted a vital lesson to me during my journey: Stand up for what you believe in, even if you stand alone,” he said.

“It is a a principle I carry with me into this House, ready to advocate for the needs and aspirations of the people I represent.”

Mr O’Flynn also pledged to work with all parties, and said he had been “disheartened” by remarks of some of “the left who claim to represent only certain sectors of society”.

“As elected representatives, our duty is to represent everyone — not just segments of our population.”

Séamus McGrath described his first day in the Dáil as “very special”, and said he felt genuinely honoured to be in Dáil Éireann representing the people of Cork South Central for the coming years.

“The new Government will have a lot of work to do to progress key issues, and I look forward to being a strong voice representing my constituents on a wide range of issues.”

While Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor of Cork East was the youngest to be elected to the 33rd Dáil, that honour fell to Cork North Central’s Labour TD Eoghan Kenny in the 34th Dáil.

“It’s a great opportunity, very humbled to get this opportunity to represent the people of Cork North Central,” he said.

“The youngest TD in the Dáil, born in the 21st century, it’s a real privilege to be getting that opportunity, to be sitting in the seats of people in the Dáil chamber who have gone before me.”

For John Paul O’Shea, his first day in the Dáil came after his third election.

He described it as a “proud day”, and he thanked his supporters. Efforts to contact Noel McCarthy, the Cork East TD, proved unsuccessful.