Caoimhghin O Caolain
"THE partition of our country and Britain's occupation of the six northeastern counties is the single greatest problem facing us as a people today," Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain (Sinn Fein, Cavan Monaghan) said.
"The most important task for us all is to rebuild the peace process. This must include the full recognition of Sinn Fein's electoral mandate by both governments. The way to lasting peace is through inclusive negotiations leading to political and constitutional change. The intense and positive engagement of the new Government and of all the representatives in this House will be needed to bring that historic change about . . . I will be casting my vote for Bertie Ahern".
The voters had been offered a choice between two sets of coalition partners with virtually identical social and economic policies. It was obvious from the composition of the House today that the electorate resented being forced to make such a choice.
He welcomed the presence of his colleagues Mr Gerry Adams MP and Mr Martin McGuinness MP, in the public gallery and he looked forward to the day when he would join them in a national parliament for the 32 counties.
Joe Higgins
FIANNA FAIL and Fine Gael had between them dominated the State's political life and should both be condemned for their abject failure to distribute our major resources, Mr Joe Higgins (Socialist Party, Dublin West) said.
Mr Higgins said it was his intention to ensure that the concerns of the people were raised and promptly dealt with.
He said both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael must take major responsibility for today's society, whereby they had not shared the resources properly and had not got rid of poverty and hardship.
A million of our people had gone to involuntary exile. There had been criminal neglect to allow such high numbers of long term unemployed.
He blamed the establishment for the drugs problem, the suffering of addicts, their families and society. Only that the people had risen up against the pushers the situation would be worse.
Large numbers of people were waiting for local authority houses. They were facing a crisis because of increasing house prices. He was not impressed with proposed small cuts in income tax on the lower level - much more should be done for the PAYE worker.
Fingal County Council was taking court actions against those who had defaulted on water charges and was going to disconnect them. Yet, they had seen a tax amnesty whereby the most privileged in society had benefitted.
Mr Higgins said he hoped to be the voice of the many uncared for in our society.
Jackie Healy Rae
VERY few industrial jobs had been created in South Kerry since the Pretty Polly factory had closed and people had to travel long distances to work, Mr Jackie Healy Rae (Independent, South Kerry) said.
There was an urgent need to provide proper jobs and the tourist season should be extended. He also wanted greater support for farmers and fishermen, realistic grants for small fishermen and special funding for neglected piers in south Kerry, particularly at Cromane.
There should be viable employment and educational facilities for the young people leading on to modern industrial jobs. There should also be a reduction in car insurance for those under 25 years of age.
He was concerned about the "roads crisis" in his constituency, as well as southwest Cork. These roads were in a disgraceful condition. Steps would also have to be taken to ensure the safety of elderly people living alone. Rural garda stations would have to be reopened.
Health cutbacks, housing and agriculture issues would also have to be looked at.
He had discussed all of these matters with Mr Ahern and he was voting for him "on the clear understanding that these problems will be dealt with".
Harry Blaney
MR Harry Blaney (Independent, Donegal North East) said he had discussed the "serious" Northern situation with the leaders of the two main parties.
The situation relating to abortion was unsatisfactory and could not be allowed to continue, he added. "I will be pressing the new Government to put a properly worded referendum to the electorate so that a clear and unequivocal decision can be reached."
He said that Donegal had been neglected by all governments, and he had discussed the matter with the party leaders. The response had been treated with respect and confidentiality. Having discussed the matter with his organisation, he had come to the conclusion that the electorate wanted stable government and he would be voting for the Fianna Fail led Coalition.
Tony Gregory
Mr TONY Gregory (Independent, Dublin Central) said that during the last FF-PD government homeless people had died of the cold on Dublin's streets. "That is the record," he added.
He hoped the new FF-PD Government would not mean a continuation of a divided society, with the great opportunity provided by the economic boom squandered. "Only time will tell if that is to be the case."
Mr Gregory strongly criticised the social and economic conditions in his constituency - also represented by Mr Ahern.
About 4 per cent of children, compared to 54 per cent in affluent Dublin 4, went on to college or university. It had unemployment blackspots, where the heroin drug problem had been ignored, allowed to fester and spread out of control for Is years, destroying hundreds of young lives and demoralising communities.
The crime problem associated with heroin undermined normal life and drug dealers took effective control of whole neighbourhoods.
Mr Gregory said the total loss of confidence of people in the institutions of the State was dramatically seen in the anti drug marches when people organised themselves to gain control of their own communities from drug dealers.
These marches had transformed parts of Dublin which had become virtually drug infested nogo areas. Some of the people to whom they were indebted were being brought before the courts on the evidence of persons who were the scourge of decent people. It was evidence which should have no credibility.
An amnesty must be seriously considered for antidrugs campaigners.
Mildred Fox
MS Mildred Fox (Independent, Wicklow) said she had studied the FF-PD programme in detail and hoped the Government could deliver on what was proposed, particularly on crime.
Ms Fox, who voted for Mr Ahern, said the person she supported for Taoiseach must be somebody she could trust to deliver on his promises, not just to her and her constituency but to the electorate in general.
"They must be aware of the needs of young people and bring forward policies that will make it easier for them to further their education and retain more of their pay when they take up employment."
Ms Fox said she would remain as an Independent. She wanted a stable Government, as much as anybody else, "but just like any other deputy, I will be facing the electorate in five years and I have issues which have to be addressed."
She had an agreement that a certain number of issues would be treated with priority. These included a secondary school, a veterinary office in the east Wicklow area, and a suboffice of Wicklow County Council in Blessington. The shortfall in funds for a catscan in Loughlinstown Hospital would be provided in a matter of months, Ms Fox said.