I have always had problems with this gown. Those of you who were here in 2016 will remember that it had been worn by Seán Barrett so it was a little on the long side for me. In the aftermath of the counting of the votes, it miraculously got shortened. The Ceann Comhairle's gown, by the way, was the subject of a freedom of information request during the course of the year where somebody wanted to know what it had cost and how much its dry-cleaning cost, and we discovered it was here so long that nobody knew what it …

I thank the Deputies. I call on the parties present to make their nominations for Taoiseach. I first call on Deputy Durkan.

Certainly.

It did not always work.

A bit like the wedding feast at Cana, we now go to the Taoiseach.

I was very humbled by the result of the election earlier. I am even more humbled by the graciousness of the comments that have been made. I pinched myself at one stage to make sure I was not dead. I appreciate what Members have said and guarantee them that it will spur me on to work more diligently and effectively on behalf of all Members of this House.

The next business is the nomination of Taoiseach. I understand that Deputy Bernard Durkan proposes to make a nomination.

Deputy O'Connor will second the motion. He, too, will be making his maiden address.

Deputy Kerrane is also making her maiden address and seconding Deputy Doherty's proposal.

Yesterday evening, there was a brief meeting with group and party Whips at which it was agreed, subject to the further agreement of the House, that we would hear some further remarks from Members on these proposals, which would be no longer than three minutes. Is that agreed? Agreed. I first call Deputy Joan Collins.

Time is up, Deputy, please.

That is a clarion call we need to take seriously.

Deputy Richard O'Donoghue, this is your maiden speech. Deputy Healy-Rae is a hard act to follow.

Deputy Fitzmaurice, you might get together with Deputy Healy-Rae and use your entrepreneurial skills to set up a school of politics. It could work very well. Deputy Michael McGrath is next.

Before I call the next speaker, I point out that there are ten further speakers offering. That is very considerably in excess of what we had anticipated. There are four votes that will take quite some time as well, if Members could bear that in mind. I call the Minister, Deputy Harris. We would like to hear what the Minister has to say.

Sin deireadh leis an díospóireacht thábhachtach sin mar gheall ar cheapacháin an Taoisigh. Tá sé suntasach tabhairt faoi deara gur labhair 47 Ball sa díospóireacht fhada sin. We must now move to consider the four proposals put before the House. The first of those proposals is that Dáil Éireann nominates Deputy Leo Varadkar for appointment by the President to be Taoiseach.

I am conscious that it is getting late, that we are way over schedule and that the Taoiseach must travel to Áras an Uachtaráin. I ask the Taoiseach and the other three nominees if they will make brief contributions.

The Business Committee will convene next week as a matter of urgency to begin the process of planning what work we can undertake.